ILO Technical brief

Decent work opportunities and challenges in recycling

This ILO brief, authored by Anna Barford and Annabel Beales, explores the opportunities and challenges in recycling, focusing on decent work. Recycling, a practice dating back millennia, has evolved significantly with industrialization and modern waste management systems. The rise of recycling is driven by unsustainable resource consumption, growing waste generation, environmental concerns, and economic demands for recycled materials. However, barriers such as high costs, inadequate infrastructure, and market volatility hinder progress. The brief highlights the importance of government and enterprise commitments to recycling, as well as the role of international organizations in promoting a circular economy. It also discusses the recycling value chain, emphasizing the diversity of activities and actors involved, from waste pickers to large enterprises. The informal sector plays a significant role, particularly in lower-income countries, but faces challenges such as lack of social protection and decent working conditions. The brief underscores the need for policies, investments, and social dialogue to create decent jobs, improve skills, and ensure a just transition to a circular economy.