By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Waste Pickers Association of Ghana is calling for a standardised pricing structure for plastic waste to ensure fair compensation and protect the livelihoods of its over 100,000 members nationwide.
At the Africa Regional Meeting of Waste Pickers held in Accra, leaders urged government to formally recognise waste pickers as essential service providers and include them in key policy and pricing negotiations with manufacturers.
According to the Association, waste pickers play a vital role in addressing Ghana’s mounting waste management challenges while creating employment opportunities, particularly for women in both urban and rural areas.
“Waste pickers do not determine the price of the material they sell; rather, the manufacturers come in and bring their own price. We are not able to negotiate anything with them, so they determine which price to buy from waste pickers, and sometimes it’s very disturbing,” one representative said during the meeting hosted by the Kpone Waste Pickers Association.
The group further argued that despite handling the bulk of post-consumer and post-production waste, their members are excluded from crucial conversations about recycling and circular economy policies.
“I think we can solve this problem if the policymakers include the waste pickers in decision-making, because we need more inclusion. When you look at the circular economy, waste pickers are playing a vital role,” one leader stressed.
The call comes at a time when landfill sites across the country are being shut down, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of informal workers who depend on waste picking.
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers also joined the advocacy, urging government to adopt holistic and inclusive waste management policies.
“We are advocating for alternatives like Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in every municipality to make sure that when waste pickers get out of the landfill, they are not misplaced, but they continue feeding their families and putting bread on their tables,” a representative said.
With growing concerns about fair compensation, job security, and policy exclusion, Ghana’s waste pickers are demanding recognition not only as environmental stewards but also as key economic players.
