Scavengers
A common occupation for those in need of money.
Pick through trash on the streets and collect recyclables to sell to warehouses.
City officials have acknowledged that they take part in beneficial services to society, yet their movement is considered illegal because they don’t have an official employer. Many have faced eviction and their settlements have been destroyed (Medina, 2011, p.51).
Landfills
Populations nearby experience adverse health effects from the pollution, including air and water contamination.
Communities are compensated with economic opportunities including jobs in waste recovery which are highly unsafe and often conducted without protective gear (Chung and Poon, 1998, p. 212).
References
Baselactionnetweork. (Photographer). (2013, June). Women sorting plastics [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/basel-action-network/9263497084/in/photostream/
Chung, S., & Poon, C. (1998). A comparison of waste management in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 22 (3-4), 203-216. doi: 10.1016/S0921-3449(98)00013-5
Medina, Martin. (2011). Integrated solid waste management in Guangzhou. BioCycle: Advancing Composting, Organics Recycling & Renewable Energy. http://www.informalwastesector.net/files/164001_164100/164069/guangzhou-biocycle.pdf.