Usmaan Shekh : India’s Garbage Pickers Face Extreme Heat – WKRG News 5

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JAMMU, India: Hazardous Working Conditions for Waste Pickers

In the bustling city of Jammu, India, a landfill on the outskirts emits a putrid stench of burning garbage that stretches for miles. This landfill is a hub of activity, with waste pickers diligently sorting through the rubbish in search of items they can sell to earn a meagre income of around $4 a day.

Despite the suffocating heat and noxious fumes that permeate the air, these waste pickers, like 65-year-old Usmaan Shekh and his family, brave the conditions in order to put food on the table. “If we don’t do this, we don’t get any food to eat,” Shekh lamented, highlighting the dire circumstances that drive these individuals to endure such hardships.

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Climate Change Exacerbating Health Risks

India is home to an estimated 1.5 to 4 million waste pickers who eke out a living by scavenging through the nation’s waste. However, the intensifying effects of climate change are making their already hazardous job even more perilous. In Jammu, temperatures have soared above 43 degrees Celsius this summer, posing serious health risks to those working in such extreme conditions.

Tragically, at least one waste picker in northern India fell victim to the recent heat wave, underscoring the dangers faced by these individuals. The landfills themselves are a breeding ground for toxic gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which are particularly harmful when emitted in high temperatures. The decomposition of waste in these landfills coupled with the scorching heat of summer creates a volatile environment that puts waste pickers at risk.

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Challenges Faced by Waste Pickers

India generates a staggering 62 million tons of waste annually, contributing to the mounting heaps of garbage that plague cities like Jammu and New Delhi. Despite laws mandating the segregation of waste to prevent hazardous materials from reaching landfills, enforcement remains lax, further jeopardizing the safety of waste pickers.

Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the New Delhi-based Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group, emphasised the dire situation faced by waste pickers. “They are already contaminated by touching everything from diapers to diabetes syringes,” Chaturvedi noted, highlighting the health risks these individuals face on a daily basis.

Protecting Vulnerable Workers

As temperatures continue to rise, waste pickers are among the most vulnerable populations at risk of heat-related illnesses. Abhiyant Tiwari, from the Natural Resources Defense Council’s India program, stressed the importance of providing adequate support to these workers. Initiatives such as access to water, shade, and medical care are essential in safeguarding the well-being of waste pickers.

Geeta Devi, a 55-year-old waste picker in New Delhi, shared her struggles of working in sweltering conditions to provide for her children. Despite the challenges posed by the heat, Devi has no choice but to continue working to put food on the table.

Call for Action

Heat planning and public health experts advocate for greater awareness and support for waste pickers who are on the frontlines of India’s waste management crisis. Simple gestures like offering water and providing shelter can make a significant difference in safeguarding the health and livelihoods of these vulnerable workers.

As a society, it is imperative to recognise the invaluable contribution of waste pickers and take proactive steps to protect their well-being in the face of escalating climate challenges.

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