Challenge
Waste picker organizations in Latin America have worked independently for years, facing challenges in coordinating their efforts and gaining visibility. In this context, Red LACRE – the Latin American Network of Waste Pickers – emerges as an essential platform for representing grassroots recyclers at the regional level. However, it faces the challenge of integrating associations from different countries into a common framework for collaboration and communication. The lack of coordination mechanisms and tools for joint management hinders the recognition of their work, resulting in precarious working conditions and disadvantages when negotiating with key players in the recyclable materials market.
This situation prevents grassroots recyclers—key actors in waste management—from achieving the political and economic influence needed to dignify their work and advance in the formalization of their activities. A coordinated leadership and the strengthening of organizational capacities therefore become crucial to transforming this reality and promoting a fairer and more sustainable model.
Our solution
Through the project “Competitive Leadership for Waste Picker Organizations,” a Triangular Cooperation Initiative was launched, bringing together three strategic actors: ANCAT, as a representative of Red LACRE; Fundación Avina, with its extensive experience in collaborative processes and platform strengthening; and R4S, well known for its track record in formalizing associations and managing triangular cooperation projects.
The goal was to provide waste picker organizations with the tools and support needed to build a coordinated and effective leadership model. To achieve this, a series of workshops, seminars, and meetings—both in person and online—were organized, where best practices were shared, participatory strategies were developed, and a governance manual was created. These actions enabled recyclers to learn from established experiences and, through co-creation dynamics, strengthen their capacity to negotiate better market conditions and manage their own networks autonomously.
Impact
The implementation of this initiative marked a turning point in the professionalization and coordination of waste picker organizations’ work. The consolidation of coordinated leadership and the strengthening of organizational capacities—especially through Red LACRE—enabled recyclers to gain stronger representation before authorities and key market players, facilitating the development of public policies that recognize and dignify their work.
In addition, the project fostered the creation of synergies between different groups, enabling the exchange of information and the development of joint strategies to improve the selling prices of recyclable materials and advance along the value chain. With a strong and coordinated network, the aim is to drive changes that generate positive social, environmental, and economic impact—contributing to the formalization of the sector and the inclusion of recyclers in more efficient and sustainable waste management systems.
To learn more about the Initiative, click here.
