A socio-ecological perspective on occupational and health risks of waste pickers on landfills in South Africa
- Schenck, Catherina J., Blaauw, Phillip F., Viljoen, Jacoba M. M., Swart, Elizabeth C.
- Authors: Schenck, Catherina J. , Blaauw, Phillip F. , Viljoen, Jacoba M. M. , Swart, Elizabeth C.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Waste pickers , Landfill , Landfill waste picker
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296380 , uj:32290 , Citation: Schenck, C.J. et al. 2019. A socio-ecological perspective on occupational and health risks of waste pickers on landfills in South Africa. A socio-ecological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 2059; doi:10.3390/ijerph16112059
- Description: Abstract: Landfill and street waste pickers in South Africa are responsible for collecting substantial volumes of recyclable material, saving municipalities millions and contributing to a generally healthier and cleaner environment. Yet waste pickers continue to operate on the fringes of the economy and are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article, using a mixed-methods approach, explores the health risks to which waste pickers working on nine different landfills in the country are exposed. The socio-ecological framework was used to analyse and present the results. A key finding was that waste picking, by its very nature, lends itself to innumerable health risks, but that these can be lessened through concerted and collaborative efforts on the part of landfill operators, local authorities and other stakeholders. Integrating the ‘self-employed’ waste pickers into the formal waste management system should be comprehensive in order to limit health risks. Waste pickers will never have a risk-free environment, but facilitative policies and supportive institutions can collaboratively help to mitigate these risks and create a more sustainable and dignified working environment towards sustaining their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schenck, Catherina J. , Blaauw, Phillip F. , Viljoen, Jacoba M. M. , Swart, Elizabeth C.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Waste pickers , Landfill , Landfill waste picker
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296380 , uj:32290 , Citation: Schenck, C.J. et al. 2019. A socio-ecological perspective on occupational and health risks of waste pickers on landfills in South Africa. A socio-ecological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 2059; doi:10.3390/ijerph16112059
- Description: Abstract: Landfill and street waste pickers in South Africa are responsible for collecting substantial volumes of recyclable material, saving municipalities millions and contributing to a generally healthier and cleaner environment. Yet waste pickers continue to operate on the fringes of the economy and are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article, using a mixed-methods approach, explores the health risks to which waste pickers working on nine different landfills in the country are exposed. The socio-ecological framework was used to analyse and present the results. A key finding was that waste picking, by its very nature, lends itself to innumerable health risks, but that these can be lessened through concerted and collaborative efforts on the part of landfill operators, local authorities and other stakeholders. Integrating the ‘self-employed’ waste pickers into the formal waste management system should be comprehensive in order to limit health risks. Waste pickers will never have a risk-free environment, but facilitative policies and supportive institutions can collaboratively help to mitigate these risks and create a more sustainable and dignified working environment towards sustaining their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
Common mental health disorders among informal waste pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa 2018—a cross-sectional study
- Makhubele, Matimba, Ravhuhali, Khuliso, Kuonza, Lazarus, Mathee, Angela, Kgalamono, Spo, Made, Felix, Tlotleng, Nohlanhla, Kootbodien, Tahira, Ntlebi, Vusi, Wilson, Kerry, Naicker, Nisha
- Authors: Makhubele, Matimba , Ravhuhali, Khuliso , Kuonza, Lazarus , Mathee, Angela , Kgalamono, Spo , Made, Felix , Tlotleng, Nohlanhla , Kootbodien, Tahira , Ntlebi, Vusi , Wilson, Kerry , Naicker, Nisha
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Common mental disorders , Waste pickers , Landfill sites
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/395925 , uj:32851 , Citation: Makhubele, M. et al. 2019. Common mental health disorders among informal waste pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa 2018—a cross-sectional study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2618; doi:10.3390/ijerph16142618
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makhubele, Matimba , Ravhuhali, Khuliso , Kuonza, Lazarus , Mathee, Angela , Kgalamono, Spo , Made, Felix , Tlotleng, Nohlanhla , Kootbodien, Tahira , Ntlebi, Vusi , Wilson, Kerry , Naicker, Nisha
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Common mental disorders , Waste pickers , Landfill sites
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/395925 , uj:32851 , Citation: Makhubele, M. et al. 2019. Common mental health disorders among informal waste pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa 2018—a cross-sectional study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2618; doi:10.3390/ijerph16142618
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.
- Full Text:
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