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wealth of experience due to the demand from its agricultural
sector (UNEP and ISWA, 2015). In 2012, Mexico City opened its
first large-scale composting plant, with the intention of using
the compost to fertilize parks and green spaces, with plans to
eventually sell it to agricultural producers (Villagran, 2012).
Bolivian cities also have experience in developing small-scale
manual or semi-mechanized composting plants. Such initiatives
can help generate employment, enhance the social inclusion of
waste pickers and encourage the further use of composting.
Recycling and social inclusion
The recycling of paper, plastics, glass and metals, has also been on
the rise in several mountainous developing countries and cities,
with initiatives also promoting the social inclusion of informal
recyclers working on the streets and in open dumps. Since
2011, the city of Bogotá (Colombia) has promoted separation
at source, acknowledged the role of waste pickers, financed
the purchase of motorized vehicles and established a storage
network for recyclable materials. Currently over 8,000 waste
pickers are part of the ‘Bogotá Zero Waste’ Programme. There
are plans to replicate this model throughout the country (Rodic,
2015b). Cities in Ecuador and Colombia are also making efforts to
promote separation at source, develop separate collections and
improve workers’ conditions.
Nairobi has created the largest market for recyclable waste in Africa
– involving more than 100 private companies, microenterprizes
and community associations. However, the social inclusion of
informal recyclers remains an issue (Scheinberg, Wilson and
Rodic-Wiersma, 2010). Harare (Zimbabwe) has also developed
an important market for recyclable materials, which they receive
from neighbouring countries such as Zambia (Scheinberg,
Wilson and Rodic-Wiersma, 2010). Mexico and South Africa use
significant amounts of recycled paper and cardboard (Modak,
Wilson and Velis, 2015f).
Management of E-waste
The increasing use of electronic devices such as computers,
monitors, printers, mobile phones, refrigerators, microwave ovens,
batteries and other devices, and the frequency with which people
Recycling truck with cardboard, Mexico City.
Photo
©
iStock/JHMimagine