The human cost of recycling: Kenyan waste pickers put their health at risk

What the report says

France 24 Africa reports from Nairobi on the difficult work of Kenyan waste pickers at the Dandora landfill, where around 2,000 tonnes of rubbish are dumped each day. The piece says workers then enter the site to recover recyclable materials, often under unsafe conditions that expose them to injuries from sharp debris and to toxic fumes.

The report frames the story as part of a broader global waste challenge. It notes that Kenya has banned plastic bags and is seen as a regional leader on that issue, but its recycling sector remains at an early stage. At Dandora and other dumps, workers sift through mixed waste in hopes of salvaging materials that can be reused or sold.

France 24 says the environmental and health costs are high while the results remain limited. The article states that only 7 percent of plastic can be recycled in this setting, underscoring the gap between the volume of waste produced and the capacity to process it safely. The report also cites United Nations figures that only a small share of global plastic is recycled, placing the Kenyan scene in an international context.

The story highlights the role of informal waste pickers in keeping recyclable material in circulation, while drawing attention to the risks they shoulder in the process.