IAWP’s Vision for a Just Transition for Waste Pickers under the UN Plastics Treaty

The IAWP firmly believes that the forthcoming UN Plastics Treaty has the potential to not only address global plastic pollution but also bring about a transformative change in the conditions and rights of workers in materials management systems. To achieve this, it is imperative that member states include detailed mandates for a just transition throughout the UN Plastics Treaty, including in a dedicated Article on just transition and actionable guidelines in an Annex. This would represent a crucial step in recognizing waste pickers and acknowledging their historic contributions to plastic pollution reduction.