Weighed Down: Informal Recycling as Shaped by Multiple Layers of Heaviness

Abstract

The proliferation of waste is a global problem. In South Africa, only 10% of all waste materials are recycled. Of those, almost 90% are recycled in the informal sector. This article draws on data collected through participant observation and 21 qualitative interviews with participants who work in the informal recycling sector as buyers, sellers, and sorters in the coastal city of Gqeberha in South Africa. Using the concept of ‘weight’ (as physical, economic, and emotional component in the workspace), I explore the ‘material-discursive’ dimensions that shape the participants’ experiences and examine the implications for their bodies and livelihoods. I argue that by recognizing the multifaceted nature of weight and addressing its distinct meanings within the context of informal recycling, it is possible to develop a more holistic view of environmental justice. This view considers the harsh, lived experiences of marginalized humans who live closest to, rely most on, or are disproportionally burdened by, wasted materials.