About the Guest(s):
John Chweya is the President of the Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association, an organization that unites over 36,000 waste pickers across Kenya to advocate for their rights and welfare. Growing up in Kisumu, Kenya, John started his journey as a waste picker at the tender age of 13, driven by financial necessity. He has been recognized globally for his inspiring work, including being named in Time Magazine's Next 100 and engaging with the United Nations. John has dedicated his life to transforming the waste picking industry and improving conditions for the workers he represents.
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Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode, Adam Peek speaks with John Chweya, a prominent figure in the sustainable waste management sector in Kenya. John's story is a compelling narrative of resilience, perseverance, and significant social impact. He shares his personal journey from being a child waste picker facing discrimination and stigmatization to becoming a global advocate for waste pickers' rights.
The conversation delves deep into the vast network and economic significance of waste pickers in Kenya, with John highlighting the critical roles they play in the recycling industry. Adam and John discuss the challenges waste pickers face, such as stigmatization and inequitable pricing by aggregators, and explore John's efforts to drive policy change. Through his leadership, waste pickers are now forming associations to advocate for fair prices and better working conditions. They also discuss John's initiative to acquire a truck to improve economic empowerment for the community by enabling direct sales to recyclers.
Key Takeaways:
John Chweya, once a child waste picker, now leads over 36,000 waste pickers in Kenya to advocate for fair practices in the recycling industry.
Waste pickers face significant challenges, including stigmatization and exploitation in pricing by aggregators.
Collaborations with policymakers and organizations aim to highlight the essential role of waste pickers in sustainable waste management and plastic pollution control.
John's fundraising initiative to acquire a truck is seen as a key step toward economic empowerment and a sustainable solution for the community.
There is a pressing need for equitable trade practices to replace charity models in supporting global waste management efforts.
Notable Quotes:
"We are not only like, people who have nothing to lose. Actually, most of us have a lot of things to lose because we are human beings that also have families and kids." - John Chweya
"One of the things that I've been fund mostly fundraising on is for on PPEs. But that is not sustainable, Adam." - John Chweya
"This is something that I know for sure that if we can attain, then it would mean that over time we, through one track, the sustainability aspect of it would be that one, we are capable of getting more clientele." - John Chweya
"For first, for the first time in this sector that a customer walks in a supermarket and then decides the price to which they want to buy the, the product that they already have in a supermarket." - John Chweya
"Trade, not aid, right? And you mentioned that it's not sustainable. Just keep going and asking for money all the time." - Adam Peek
Resources:
Tune in to this episode to discover the human stories behind the recycling industry in Kenya and learn how John's inspiring leadership and innovative solutions aim to transform lives and the sustainable waste management landscape. Don't miss out on this and more insightful discussions from the People of Packaging podcast.
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