Life in the Dumps: Experiences of Garbage Collectors at Irisan Dumpsite, Baguio City
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Jun 28, 2024
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Abstract
This qualitative case study delves into the daily routines, health hazards, and safety precautions of garbage collectors at Irisan Dumpsite to fully understand their experiences. Using a case study research design and qualitative approach, the study fills existing gaps in the literature about blue-collar workers' perspectives, particularly in the context of trash management. The daily routines of waste collectors at Irisan Dumpsite were revealed, depicting a difficult and frequently dangerous situation. The study examines the health risks linked with their profession, emphasizing the absence of insurance coverage, insufficient protective equipment, and exposure to harmful materials. Garbage collectors use safety precautions such as jackets, raincoats, facemasks, safety gloves, boots, headlamps, and personal hygiene routines to reduce dangers and protect their well-being. The case study methodology offers a contextual and in-depth insight into six garbage collectors' lives, providing light on the obstacles they face daily, their job performance, and their impact on their families. The paper recommends legislative measures to improve garbage collectors' working conditions and shift cultural perspectives, including full insurance coverage, equitable distribution of safety equipment, and public awareness initiatives. This study adds greatly to understanding the oftenoverlooked lives of garbage collectors in the waste management system by providing practical and context-specific information.
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References
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Nuripuoh, J.G., Duwiejuah, A.B., & Bakobie, N. (2022). Awareness and health risk protection behaviours of scavengers in the Gbalahi landfill site, Ghana, in the era of sustainable development. Discover Sustainability, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-021-00070-7
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Thomas, J., Overeem, S., & Claassen, J.A.H.R. (2019). Long-Term Occupational Sleep Loss and PostRetirement Cognitive Decline or Dementia. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 48 (1-2):105–112. https://doi.org/10.1159/000504020
Tibbetts, J. (2023). Garbage collection is “one of the most hazardous jobs". CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 185(7). https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.109-4434
Tshivhase, S.E., Mashau, N.S., Ngobeni, T., & Ramathuba, D.U. (2022). Occupational health and safety hazards among solid waste handlers at a selected municipality South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid, 27. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1978
United State Environment Protection Agency. (2021). Waste Management Planning to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change. https://www.epa.gov/homeland-security-waste/waste-management-planning-mitigate-impact-climate-change
USAFACTS. (2020). What is the economic impact of recycling in the United States? https://usafacts.org/articles/what-is-the-economic-impact-ofrecycling-in-the-united-states/
Workplace Health Without Boarders. (2019). Waste Workers Occupational Health and Safety. https://whwb.org/waste-workers-occupational-healthand-safety/
Abubakar, I.R., Maniruzzaman, K.M., Dano, U.L., AlShihri, F.S., AlShammari, M.S., Ahmed, S.M.S., Al-Gehlani, W.A.G., & Alrawaf, T.I. (2022). Environmental Sustainability Impacts of Solid Waste Management Practices in the Global South. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9566108/
Agoot, L. (2021). Baguio’s Closed Dumpsite Turns into Eco-Park. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1134227
Baral, Y.R. (2019). Waste Workers and Occupational Health Risks. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 8(2): 1–3. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v8i2.23328
CareerExplorer. (n.d.). Garbage collector: Career overview. https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/garbage-collector/
Cruvinel, V.R.N., Marques, C.P., Cardoso, V., Novaes, M.R.C.G., Araújo, W.N., Angulo-Tuesta, A., Escalda, P.M.F., Galato, D., Brito, P., & da Silva, E.N. (2019). Health conditions and occupational risks in a novel group: waste pickers in the largest open garbage dump in Latin America. BMC Public Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889019-6879-x
Delfin, M.M., & Rodriguez, R.C. (2013). Garbages in the Irisan Dumpsite. Unpublished project. College of Information Technology and Computer Science. University of Cordillera. https://studylib.net/doc/6940576/file
Dias, S. (2011). Recycling in Belo Horizonte, Brazil -An Overview of Inclusive Programming. WIEGO Policy Brief. https://www.wiego.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/Dias_WIEGO_PB3.pdf
Environment Management Bureau-Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021). Former Irisan dumpsite turns into an environment-friendly ecological park! https://car.emb.gov.ph/formeririsan-dumpsite-turns-into-an-environmentfriendly-ecological-park/
Eugene, A.R., & Masiak, J. (2020). The Neuroprotective Aspects of Sleep. MEDtube Science, 3(1): 35–40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651462/
Garza, J. (2022). Workplace Injuries Affecting Trash Collectors. Adame Garza LLP. https://htxtriallawyers.com/blog/workplace-injuries-affectingtrash-collectors/
Igwe, P.U., Anaje, E.C., Onyegbu, C.U., Ezechilue, F.B. & Nwatu, M.T. (2018). A Review of Scavenging as a Means of Environmental Management. International Journal of Rural Development, Environment and Health Research, 2(1): 10-17. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijreh.2.1.2
Indiana University. (2020). Waste reduction and recycling: Implications of climate change. Environmental Resilience Institute. https://eri.iu.edu/erit/implications/waste-reductionand-recycling.html
Jerie, S. (2019). Occupational Risks Associated with Solid Waste Management in the Informal Sector of Gweru, Zimbabwe. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2016/9024160/
Kalpana, K. (2022). Irisan, Baguio. Alchetron. https://alchetron.com/Irisan,-Baguio
Macray, H. (2021). Preventing the Most Common Workplace Injuries: Cuts and Lacerations. Keches Law Group. https://kecheslaw.com/news/preventing-cuts-and-lacerations-at-work/
Matthews, K. (2019). Waste Management Best Practices (and Their Impact on Urban Planning. Planetizen. https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/103129-waste-management-best-practices-andtheir-impact-urban-planning
Mihai, F.C., Gündoğdu, S., Markley, L.A., Olivelli, A., Khan, F.R., Gwinnett, C., Gutberlet, J., ReynaBensusan, N., Llanquileo-Melgarejo, P., Meidiana, C., Elagroudy, S., Ishchenko, V., Penney, S., Lenkiewicz, Z., & Molinos-Senante, M. (2021). Plastic Pollution, Waste Management Issues, and Circular Economy Opportunities in Rural Communities. Sustainability, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010020
MLI Environmental. (2018). Effects of Hazardous Wastes on Human Health and the Environment. https://mlienvironmental.com/blog/effectsofhazardous-waste/
Montecalvo, V. (2021). The future of recycling in New Jersey: Environmental education, volunteerism, and philanthropy. EarthShare New Jersey. https://www.earthsharenj.org/the-futureof-recycling-in-new-jersey/
Nguyen, Q.T., Nguyen, B.V., Do, H.T.T., Nguyen, B.N., Nguyen, V.T., Vu, S.T., & Tran, T.T.T. (2021). Psychological stress and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors in Hanoi, Vietnam: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254355
Nuripuoh, J.G., Duwiejuah, A.B., & Bakobie, N. (2022). Awareness and health risk protection behaviours of scavengers in the Gbalahi landfill site, Ghana, in the era of sustainable development. Discover Sustainability, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-021-00070-7
Palangchao, H.F. (2022). Hurdling garbage woes as attainable vision for Baguio. Baguio Midland Courier. https://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/hurdling-garbage-woes-as-attainable-visionfor-baguio/
Petley, D. (2011). Garbage dump landslide in the Philippines. The Landslide Blog. https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2011/08/31/garbagedump-landslide-in-the-philippines/
Thomas, J., Overeem, S., & Claassen, J.A.H.R. (2019). Long-Term Occupational Sleep Loss and PostRetirement Cognitive Decline or Dementia. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 48 (1-2):105–112. https://doi.org/10.1159/000504020
Tibbetts, J. (2023). Garbage collection is “one of the most hazardous jobs". CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 185(7). https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.109-4434
Tshivhase, S.E., Mashau, N.S., Ngobeni, T., & Ramathuba, D.U. (2022). Occupational health and safety hazards among solid waste handlers at a selected municipality South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid, 27. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1978
United State Environment Protection Agency. (2021). Waste Management Planning to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change. https://www.epa.gov/homeland-security-waste/waste-management-planning-mitigate-impact-climate-change
USAFACTS. (2020). What is the economic impact of recycling in the United States? https://usafacts.org/articles/what-is-the-economic-impact-ofrecycling-in-the-united-states/
Workplace Health Without Boarders. (2019). Waste Workers Occupational Health and Safety. https://whwb.org/waste-workers-occupational-healthand-safety/