We are happy to share our latest research brief on the Social, Economic, and Health Vulnerabilities of Informal Waste Pickers in Lebanon. This report digs deeper into the harsh realities faced by those who work in Lebanon’s waste management system, often in unsafe and exploitative conditions.
Through interviews with 30 waste pickers in the Greater Beirut Area, we gathered critical data on their working conditions, economic challenges, and the health risks they face daily. Despite the essential role waste pickers play in sustainability—removing large quantities of recyclables from the streets—this workforce is largely unrecognized and operates without legal protection. The absence of formalization in this sector leaves them vulnerable to dangerous working environments, harassment, and financial exploitation.
ReFuse’s research highlights the urgent need for systemic change. By formalizing the waste picker sector, we can create safer working conditions, provide fair wages, and ensure that their contributions to sustainability are properly recognized. This report, made possible by the support of USAID, is just the beginning of ReFuse’s efforts to advocate for the rights of waste pickers and to build a more equitable waste management system.
We call on businesses, policymakers, and communities to join us in this journey. We can transform the waste sector in Lebanon and create a fairer, more sustainable future.
You can read the full report here.
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