“Those who make a living by collecting garbage often face the risk of diseases that not everyone is aware of or know.  They work around the clock to find value in discarded items. We have set up the project ‘Network of scrap collectors’ to support them in protecting their health and limiting risks when doing their jobs. Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Dao, the project’s manager shared the purpose of helping people who collect recyclable waste.

Scrap collectors attend a training session on occupational health and safety. (Photo courtesy of the project)

The project ‘Network of scrap collectors’ is under the auspices of the social enterprise ReForm Plastic of the Evergreen Labs Advisory Company Limited. The project was established in December 2022 and it has built a network of 300 people working as scrap collectors. People in this profession have more or less difficulty in accessing social services, which can be at risk for health.

Ms. Dao said that in order to approach these people, project members went to each scrap shop in the city to meet directly or ask the Women's Union chapters of wards and communes to provide a list of those working in this profession. Under the project, focus is on offering training on occupational health and safety in the profession of scrap collection for 33 members of the network.

In January 2023, a project, in collaboration with the Dental - Maxillofacial Hospital, organised medical examination and free medicine distribution for 102 scrap collectors.

According to the website of UNDP, the current waste streams, collection, and disposal mechanisms in Viet Nam involve various players from both the formal and informal sectors. Household waste is not source-separated, meaning recyclable waste is mixed with organic waste and other contaminants. Typically this waste is left on the curbside in front of businesses or households directly for collection or placed at a designated dumpsite.

The informal waste workers are at the front line of recovery and are often seen rummaging through waste to collect all tradeable items like cardboard, metal, and plastic bottles. Such collectors sort waste by hand, separating by type of waste mainly distinguishing between paper, metal, and certain types of plastic. Once their bikes are full, they bring their waste to their nearest collection points.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, whose hometown in the central province of Ha Tinh, has worked as a scrap collector since 2011 and said that regardless of whether it's sunny or rainy, she collects scraps. “Now that I'm older, my health is declining. Last time, I participated in the project and got free health check-ups, medicines, and Tet gifts, so I was very happy.”, said Lien.

Likewise, Ms. Huynh Thi Dong residing in Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang has been engaged in scrap collection since she was a child. This profession is often exposed to polluted emissions and bad odors, so it adversely affects her health. Because of her livelihood, Dong does not care much. “When participating in the project, I received training in occupational health and safety and healthcare advisory,” said Dong.

The project also supports practitioners who collect scraps with protective equipment and provides information such as a list of motel rooms; locations that offer free or low-cost meals; guiding registration for social insurance, health insurance and temporary residence. Besides, the project’s staff also introduces scrap collectors to a list of hotels and restaurants where recyclable trash is available for collection.

To date, 7 hospitality service providers have participated in this project, with a combined total of more than 10 tonnes of materials collected.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Dao, with the active support from the project, collectors will have more health and conditions to continue the work they are doing. The project will work more with communities and neighborhoods to help people do a good job of separating waste at source so that the amount of waste reaching the collectors is cleaner and more valuable.

Reporting by THIEN AN - Translating by A.THU