Kenya’s waste pickers demand seat at Plastics Treaty Table

Kenya’s waste pickers are calling for formal recognition in the upcoming global plastics treaty negotiations.

They are warning that continued exclusion of informal workers will undermine the fairness and effectiveness of any agreement reached.

Speaking ahead of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) set for August 5 to 14 in Geneva, Chairperson of the Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association, Mr Brian Gisore, said waste pickers play a critical role in curbing plastic pollution.

They however, remain invisible in global policy conversations.

“From the dumpsites of Dandora to the streets of Mombasa, our hands keep plastics out of the environment, yet we are not part of the discussions shaping our future,” Mr Gisore said.

According to the Association, waste pickers in Kenya recover up to 60 percent of plastic waste that would otherwise end up polluting land and waterways.

Yet many work under dangerous conditions, with little to no pay, and lack access to healthcare, protective gear, or legal protections.

Mr Gisore called on international negotiators to include just transition provisions in the treaty. They include fair wages, access to social services, and public financing mechanisms such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes that directly benefit informal waste workers.

“A just transition is not a luxury. It is a necessity to protect millions of livelihoods,” he added.

The Association also rejected emerging market-based approaches such as plastic credits. It argues they shift responsibility away from producers and exploit informal labour without addressing the root causes of plastic pollution.

“We are not asking to be included as an afterthought,” Mr Gisore said. 

“We want policies that begin with us… with our knowledge, our labour, and our struggles in mind.”

Kenya has one of the most active waste picker movements in Africa, and Mr Gisore said Geneva offers a chance to build a more equitable future--one where solutions are co-created with those already doing the work.