As global populations and economies grow, so does waste generation, and the proportion of waste being recycled. For example, in the European Union, the recycling rate (excluding major mineral wastes) rose from 42 per cent in 2010 to 46 per cent in 2020. The recycling industry’s recent growth has been driven by increased public awareness, rising industrial demand for recycled materials, and strong public policy and corporate commitments. Recycling has long been a means of recuperating value from what would otherwise be waste, providing livelihoods for many poor, especially in developing countries with limited opportunities for decent life and work.
The waste management and recycling industry includes businesses and organizations that collect, process, and recycle materials such as glass, plastic, paper, metal, and electronics. As one of the world’s first green industries, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves energy, and protects natural resources while also creating jobs and supporting local economies.
In this blog, we explore the main characteristics of employment in the waste management and recycling industry.
A small but growing workforce
Employment in the waste and recycling industry is estimated at 6.9 million, representing 0.2 per cent of total global employment, although this is an underestimation due to data limitations (see the methodology box). Employment in the industry has increased in 55 out of 71 countries with at least two data points in the period 2014 to 2023.
Also notable is that, while contributing to environmental sustainability, workers in the waste management and recycling industry often face significant health hazards. These include exposure to toxic chemicals, biological agents, and physical risks from handling hazardous materials and operating heavy machinery. These risks are compounded in developing countries, where occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations are often weaker or poorly enforced, leaving workers more vulnerable to injuries, respiratory issues, and long-term health conditions. This stark contrast between the industry’s role in promoting a green economy and the unsafe conditions many workers endure highlights the need for stronger OSH protections, particularly in regions where regulatory frameworks are less robust.
Regional disparities
Globally, approximately 85 workers are employed in the waste and recycling industry per 100’000 people. Europe and Central Asia has the highest rate, with 174 workers per 100,000 people, while Africa has the lowest, with less than 30 workers per 100,000 people. Employment in this industry tends to be higher in more developed regions, where recycling practices are more widespread. This trend is driven by higher recycling rates and increased demand for recycled materials, both of which are more common in regions such as Europe and Central Asia and the Americas. Recycling employment may be much higher in many low-income countries, but this type of work might not be well captured in the data.
A male-dominated industry
The waste management and recycling industry is male-dominated, with women comprising only 22.7 percent of the workforce. Interestingly, while Africa has lower overall employment rates, women make up a relatively higher proportion of the workforce in this industry compared to other regions, with women constituting 29.5 per cent of the workforce in this industry. This may be linked to limited employment opportunities for women and lack of social protection, compelling them to take on even undesirable or low paid jobs in recycling that often involve poor working conditions, including exposure to health hazards.
One out of 7 employed is between 15 and 24 years old
Although the proportion of youth working in waste management and recycling is relatively low, they should not be left behind in the development process. Many young people working in this industry have low levels of education, which can hinder their ability to innovate and adapt to new technologies—key factors in the transition towards a just and green circular economy. This lack of skills not only affects their labour productivity and earning potential but also limits their future opportunities. By investing in targeted skills training, we can empower these young workers to play a pivotal role in the transition to greener and more innovative waste management practices, ultimately helping them build stronger, more sustainable careers.
A city-centric workforce
A significant proportion of workers in the waste management and recycling industry reside in urban areas. Several countries, including Angola, Bolivia, Guinea-Bissau, Marshall Islands, Mozambique, Nepal, and Zambia, report that 100 per cent of their workers in the industry are urban-based. This concentration in cities is likely driven by the higher demand for waste management services and recycling infrastructure in densely populated areas, where waste generation is typically greater. Urban areas also provide better access to the necessary facilities, technologies, and markets for recycled materials, which are crucial for the sustainability of the industry. This urban focus highlights the industry’s role in cities and towns, not only for logistical reasons but also due to more stringent waste management regulations and initiatives, which create jobs in this industry.
In contrast, in rural areas, recycling activities–such as composting, burning plastic waste or burying waste—are often part of daily household management rather than being seen as a separate paid activity, and thus are not well captured in employment statistics.
Wage employment is predominant in developed countries, while self-employment is widespread in developing ones
The share of workers in wage-paying jobs (i.e. those in wage employment or as employees, as opposed to those in self-employment) in the waste management and recycling industry varies greatly across countries, ranging from as low as 16.7 to as high as 100 per cent. This variation is influenced by how waste management and recycling industries are organized and managed. Recycling value chains involve many actors, including waste pickers, social enterprises, co-operatives, municipalities, and corporations. In some countries, waste collection and recycling are mainly managed by local governments and small to medium enterprises, while in many others, individual waster pickers handle the majority of this work.
Workers in the waste and recycling industry are more likely to be employees, rather than self-employed, compared to the national average in two-thirds of countries with available data, particularly in developed countries. In some developing countries, this industry also boasts a higher share of employees compared to all industries. For example, in Ethiopia, only 14.3 per cent of those employed across all economic activities are employees, whereas in the waste management and recycling industry, this figure rises significantly to 83.6 per cent.
Conversely, self-employment is the predominant status in employment in the waste management and recycling industry in many developing countries, such as Peru, Albania, Zimbabwe, Honduras, Colombia, Indonesia, India, Türkiye, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Iran (Islamic Republic of), and Nepal. These workers face a higher degree of economic risk and are more likely to experience decent work deficits.
Higher rates of informality
A large share of workers in the waste management and recycling industry in developing countries are in informal employment, often without basic social protection or employment benefits. In half of the 49 developing countries with available data, workers in the industry are more likely to be in informal employment compared to those in other industries. For example, in Türkiye, 60.4 per cent of workers in these industries are informally employed, compared to 28.1 per cent in all economic activities.
Going the extra hour
On average, workers in the waste management and recycling industry work longer hours than those in other industries. The average weekly working hours in the industry range from 23 to 57 hours across countries, exceeding the maximum of 50 hours per week observed in other industries. This extended working time not only limits workers’ ability to engage in other activities, such as personal development, household responsibilities, family time, leisure and recreation, but can also adversely affect workers health and safety, increasing the risk of injuries.
In 18 out of 53 countries with available data, about a third of workers in the waste management and recycling industry work more than 48 hours per week, which is the threshold used to defined excessive working hours. In most of these countries, the rate of excessive working hours is higher than in other industries.
In India and Rwanda, for example, over 70 per cent of those employed in the industry work excessive hours. The high proportion of employed persons working excessive hours points to a decent work deficit in the industry.
Lower levels of education
The level of educational attainment of workers in the waste management and recycling industry is significantly lower compared to other industries, with a very high proportion of workers having only a basic or less than basic education. This may reflect the fact that for some, recycling is the only industry where they can find jobs because of their socio-economic situation, due to discrimination, lack of legal right to work, etc.
Conversely, workers in this industry are less likely to have advanced level of education. In 65 out of 66 countries with available data, the proportion of people employed with an advanced level of education is lower in this industry than in other industries. The (unweighted) average percentage of workers with advanced education across all economic activities is 24.8 per cent, while in the waste management and recycling industry, it is significantly lower, at 9.5 per cent.
Given their educational profile, it is essential to ensure that employees in the industry have better access to education and training programmes to address skills gaps and promote qualifications and skills recognition, including basic literacy and numeracy where needed.
Lower wages
Wage data available from 29 countries indicate that the average hourly earnings of employees in the waste management and recycling industry are typically much lower than those in other industries. In half of these 29 countries, earnings received by employees in the waste management and recycling industry are between 36 and 75 per cent lower than the average earnings of all employees. This wage disparity is partly explained by the occupational profile and lower educational and skill levels of workers employed in the industry. Earnings are higher than those in other industries in only 3 countries.
Conclusion
The waste management and recycling industry is growing rapidly, driven by rising global waste generation, increased public awareness, government initiatives, and demand for recycled materials. This industry not only benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also plays an important role in job creation and sustaining local economies.
However, the industry faces challenges, including a high proportion of workers in informal employment, low wages, long working hours, low skill levels, and exposure to health hazards. These factors indicate significant decent work deficits.
As the industry continues to expand, there is a growing need for workers to collect, sort, and process recyclables. However, recycling is not always the most desirable option to handle many materials compared to other circular economy practices such as refusal, reduction and reuse. To ensure the industry can meet future demands and transition towards a circular economy, there is an urgent need for reskilling and upskilling programmes. To date, progress in this area is patchy at best. Yet, such efforts would be crucial for improving working conditions, enhancing wages, and preparing workers in the industry for the rapid changes ahead. As we move towards more environmentally sustainable practices, it is vital that the well-being and development of workers driving this industry are prioritized.
Methodology
Persons employed in the waste management and recycling industry are defined according to the Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, ISIC Rev.4 in the “Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery” (Division 38). This division includes the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials including local hauling of waste materials and the operation of materials recovery facilities (i.e. those that sort recoverable materials from waste streams).
Country-level employment figures are derived from national household surveys, usually labour force surveys, and focus on those employed whose main job is in waste management and recycling industry. Employment figures do not include those with a second job in the industry nor sporadic waste pickers, such as women who engage in recycling work to supplement their income. Additionally, waste management and recycling workers employed outside the specific industry, such as recycling workers in the manufacturing or steel industry, are excluded. As such, the figures presented are conservative estimates, and currently exclude some of the more marginal workers in the industry such as waste pickers that are homeless or live in collective households. Further improvements in data collection can help to better capture all persons engaged in waste management and recycling.
Global estimates are based on actual and imputed data for 189 countries. For more detailed information, refer to the document Global and regional estimates of employment in selected economic activities and/or occupations.
