A Mother's Strength in Waste Management: Astou's Story

A group of six people in uniform with reflective vests and hats stand in front of a mural.

Astou Dabo, a 40-year-old mother of nine, has been working as a recyclable materials collector at the Thiès landfill since 2019. Every day, she collects plastics, scrap metal, and bottles—materials that provide an essential source of income for her family. With her youngest child still a baby, she often carries him on her back while she works, a reflection of the resilience and dedication she brings to her role as both a provider and a mother.

Born in Thiès, Senegal, Astou lives in a city facing growing waste management challenges due to rapid urbanization and limited formal waste collection services. Like many informal waste collectors, she plays a crucial role in Senegal’s circular economy, recovering and recycling materials that would otherwise contribute to environmental pollution. Yet, despite her contribution, waste collectors like her often work in hazardous conditions, with little social recognition or protective measures.

Before working at the landfill, Astou was a housekeeper, but the low wages and lack of job security led her to seek work that allowed greater autonomy and flexibility. Waste collection, despite its harsh conditions, offers her the ability to manage her own schedule and sustain her household. This is the case for many other women and individuals in Thiès who, due to limited employment opportunities, turn to informal waste collection as a means of survival.

However, recent changes in waste disposal policies have added new uncertainties to an already difficult job. As authorities relocate the landfill, the number of trucks delivering waste has significantly declined, reducing the availability of recyclable materials. With only carters now permitted to dispose of waste, much of the valuable material is recovered before it reaches the landfill, making it harder for collectors like Astou to earn a stable income.

Rather than opposing these policies, the real challenge lies in ensuring that waste collectors are not left behind in the transition. Informal waste collection is an essential service, reducing landfill waste and contributing to a more sustainable waste management system. By working with policymakers to integrate collectors into formal recycling programs, improve access to recovered materials, or create alternative income opportunities, reforms could become more inclusive. For women like Astou, this would mean not only a safer and more stable livelihood but also greater financial security for their families.

Person standing in front of a large pile of trash, wearing a black shirt and patterned fabric tied around the waist, under overcast skies.

Beyond financial challenges, health risks remain a serious concern for informal waste collectors. Working with unprotected hands and feet, they are exposed to sharp objects, toxic waste, and hazardous fumes, increasing their risk of injuries, infections, and long-term health complications.

Through its “Reducing Open-Air Waste Incineration” (RIDAS) initiative, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Practical Action has taken steps to improve safety and working conditions for waste collectors in Thiès. The project has provided 100 essential personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, including protective boots, gloves, and masks, significantly reducing their exposure to hazardous conditions. Before this support, many collectors worked in sandals, leaving them vulnerable to injuries from sharp objects like glass and syringes. The provision of PPE has not only improved their well-being but also reinforced their sense of dignity and professionalism in their work.

Beyond immediate safety improvements, RIDAS is driving systemic change in waste management and environmental protection. In partnership with Ecole Polytechnique Thiès l’Officiel and SONAGED SA (National Waste Management Company), Practical Action has established an innovative air quality monitoring station, funded by Engineering X. This real-time monitoring system tracks nine atmospheric pollutants (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, CO, CO₂, CH₄, NH₃), along with wind direction and speed, and provides an interactive dashboard for simplified data monitoring. This major advance enables authorities and communities to better understand pollution levels in areas exposed to open waste burning and advocate for healthier waste management solutions that protect public health.

As we mark International Women’s Day, Astou reflects on the strength and determination of women in waste management. Despite the daily obstacles, she and many others continue to fight for a better future for their families. With support from organizations like Practical Action, not only are their working conditions improving, but they are also becoming part of a larger movement for cleaner air, safer waste management practices, and long-term systemic change.

Astou’s story is a reminder that waste collectors are not just workers—they are environmental champions. By ensuring that waste management policies prioritize both sustainability and inclusion, we can build a future where women like Astou can work with dignity, security, and hope for a better tomorrow.

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