Wastepickers Demand a Global Fund and Speak Out Against Incineration
Cancun, December 2, 2010. The Global Alliance of Wastepickers and Allies, through its representatives from Latin America, South Africa, and India, is in Cancun to speak out against Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects that fund waste incinerators and landfills, causing the displacement of recyclers and their undeniable and historic contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation.
“We call for the creation of a Global Climate Fund that can be directly accessed by recyclers and civil society organizations, in order to promote community-based recycling and resource recovery programs for organics, as well as waste minimization and reuse programs. In contrast with the so-called “waste-to-energy” projects of incinerators and landfills, this would actually mitigate climate change,” explained Exequiel Estay, grassroots recycler from Chile. He added: “We denounce Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects that harm recyclers and their ability to improve their living conditions and increase recycling. Support for our cause will help to create sustainable economies and green jobs.”
“Grassroots recycling is the fastest and most economic way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from products, and it also contributes to strengthening local economies and improving the living conditions of millions of recyclers,” said Mariel Vilella, a waste and climate change campaigner from GAIA, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.
Lucía Fernández, Global Wastepicker Coordinator from WIEGO (Women in Informal Economy Globalizing and Organizing), has said that “To achieve inclusive, efficient, and above all, non-privatized solid waste management, city governments need to integrate the first link in the chain of recycling: local wastepickers. In this way, international climate solutions will not emerge from polluting corporate projects approved by the CDM, but rather from the hands and work of this informal sector economy.”
TESTIMONIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Simon has been a wastepicker in South Africa for the last 13 years. “I have supported my family through this job. I am really affected by the lack of recognition and respect that my work deserves in combating climate change. The misleading false solutions of incinerating waste and capturing methane are destroying millions of livelihoods around the world and causing more emissions, destroying the planet’s resources. Wastepicking and recycling are the biggest missing pieces of the puzzle in combating climate change. Without them, the planet is still in danger.”
Supriya Bhadakwad, wastepicker from India, has been directly affected by an incinerator in Pune. “I have been associated with KKPKP for the last 18 years. From this organization I gained confidence and leadership, and now I participate in all kinds of negotiations with the municipal corporations. Our problems started last year with the intervention of a private company named Hanger, which has taken away our livelihoods, because now the waste which is generated is no longer ours to recycle.”
The Global Alliance of Wastepickers and Allies brings together recyclers from Latin America, Asia, and Africa with environmentalists and other supporters, to offer real solutions to waste and climate change.
For further information and interviews: Magdalena Donoso (Spanish and English) magdalena[at]no-burn.org
Cell phone in Cancun: 56-9-96526550
