“Surviving the Scorching Heat: The Dangerous Lives of India’s Waste Pickers”
In Jammu, India, the putrid smell of burning garbage fills the air as waste pickers sift through the landfill on the outskirts of the city. Despite the toxic fumes and scorching heat, these individuals, including 65-year-old Usmaan Shekh and his family, brave the conditions in search of items to sell for a meager income of around $4 a day.
The hazardous job of waste picking is becoming even more dangerous due to the impacts of climate change. With temperatures in Jammu reaching over 110 degrees Fahrenheit this summer, the risks for waste pickers have escalated. Tragically, at least one person has already died in northern India’s recent heat wave, identified as a garbage picker.
The decomposition of garbage in landfills releases harmful gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which are exacerbated by the rising summer temperatures. Landfill fires are common during the summer months and can burn for days, further endangering the health of waste pickers.
India generates an estimated 62 million tons of waste annually, with some landfills resembling mountains of garbage. Despite a 2016 law mandating waste segregation to prevent hazardous materials from reaching landfills, enforcement has been lacking, putting waste pickers at even greater risk.
Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group, highlights the plight of waste pickers who face social discrimination and poor working conditions. The extreme heat adds another layer of vulnerability, with heatstroke, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney diseases posing significant risks.
Abhiyant Tiwari, from the Natural Resources Defense Council’s India program, emphasizes the need for providing waste pickers with access to water, shade, and medical care. Implementing heat action plans and ensuring the well-being of these vulnerable individuals is crucial.
Despite the challenges, waste pickers like Geeta Devi in New Delhi continue to work to support their families, earning a modest income that barely covers their daily needs. As temperatures soar and the risks increase, the protection and support of waste pickers become imperative for a more sustainable and equitable society.
As the heatwave intensifies, the plight of waste pickers serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change and ensure the well-being of those most vulnerable in our communities.