Every day, 2,000 tonnes of waste are dumped at the Dandora landfill in Nairobi, Kenya. Workers rush in to salvage recyclable materials, often putting their health at risk. Despite their efforts, only 7 per cent of the plastic waste is recyclable.
Globally, 460 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with the United Nations estimating that just 9 per cent of it will ever be recycled. Managing this waste poses a significant challenge worldwide.
In Kenya, which leads Africa in banning plastic bags, the recycling industry is still developing. Countless waste pickers work tirelessly at rubbish dumps to salvage recyclable materials, but the dangers are considerable. They frequently suffer injuries from sharp objects and are exposed to toxic fumes, endangering their health daily.
FRANCE 24’s Bastien Renouil and Élodie Cousin spoke to those facing the human cost of recycling.
