From Invisible to Influential

In June 2025, 26 women waste workers in Kisumu County, Kenya, came together for five days of training that would change how they see their work, and themselves.

These women are collectors, sorters, recyclers, and aggregators in the informal recycling sector. Every day, they recover plastics and other materials that would otherwise pollute waterways, landfills, and communities. Yet their contribution to environmental sustainability often goes unrecognized.

Through the project “Awareness & Capacity Building of Women in the Informal Recycling Sector,” GRID-Arendal, in partnership with the Kisumu Waste Pickers Welfare Association (KIWAPWA) and with support from GIZ, piloted a tailored capacity-building Toolkit designed to support a just transition for women in informal recycling.

Two women in hard hats and green jackets take notes indoors. The woman on the left holds papers and a pen, looking off to the side. The woman on the right writes on a tablet. — "Today, I see value and dignity in what I do. I’m not just collecting waste, I’m building a livelihood, protecting the environment, and proving that women like me can lead change in our communities", says Elizabeth Aloo Owiti. Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Building skills – and self-belief

The training strengthened participants’ knowledge of solid waste management, circular economy principles, occupational health and safety, financial literacy, leadership, and collective organization. But the impact went beyond technical skills.

Participants reported increased confidence, stronger self-awareness, and a renewed sense of dignity in their work. Many entered the workshop seeing waste picking primarily as a way to survive. They left recognizing themselves as environmental actors, essential contributors to plastic recovery and circular systems. For many, it was the first time their experiences were heard and validated in a safe and supportive space.

Woman in a black hijab sits at a desk, looking intently to the side in a classroom. She wears a cardboard name tag and holds a pen. — “This workshop has completely changed how I see myself. I have become an inspirational woman who can work in the waste space without fear. I now see myself as someone with skills, value, and purpose,” says Hadijah Saleh Alwala. Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Safety, rights, and recognition

Women in informal recycling face daily risks, from hazardous materials and injuries to harassment and social exclusion. The training addressed these realities directly, equipping participants with practical health and safety skills, knowledge of their rights, and tools to advocate for safer working conditions.

Sessions on leadership, communication, and negotiation encouraged women to speak up, organize, and engage more confidently with buyers, communities, and local authorities.

By the end of the five days, women who had started as quiet observers were presenting ideas, setting goals, and developing business plans. Several began exploring savings initiatives and collective strategies to strengthen their economic position.

A foundation for long-term change
The workshop fostered strong peer support and solidarity. Participants expressed interest in continued collaboration, strengthening savings groups, and organizing for greater recognition within the waste management system.
The lessons learned from this pilot in Kenya will inform future capacity-building efforts and contribute to global discussions on inclusive circular economy solutions.

A woman in a red dress presents to a seated audience in a bright room. She smiles and holds a paper, with a camera on a tripod behind her. The audience sits at tables with red chairs. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

A diverse group of people sit at tables in a conference room, listening attentively. Many have water bottles and name tags, suggesting a workshop or training session. The lighting is bright. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Maria, a fair-skinned woman with auburn hair and a name tag, sits at a table with a Black man wearing a baseball cap. Both appear contemplative. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Liz smiles broadly while seated at a conference. She wears a blue patterned dress, turquoise necklace, and name tag. Other attendees sit at tables in the background. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Three women collaborate, pinning photos to a poster titled "Special/Hazardous Waste" on a white wall. The women wear red, black, and green shirts respectively. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Two waste pickers hold a frame that says "Empower women, Cleaner world". One wears a green hard hat and safety vest, the other a blue headscarf. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Two women smile and raise their hands in a peace sign gesture. The woman on the left wears a blue dress and a name tag that reads "Christine." The woman on the right wears a red and gray patterned dress and a name tag that reads "Shemsa." — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

Today, I see value and dignity in what I do. I’m not just collecting waste, I’m building a livelihood, protecting the environment, and proving that women like me can lead change in our communities.

Elizabeth Aloo Owiti

Group of women hold certificates and raise fists behind a banner reading "Capacity-Building for Women in the Informal Sector Training." Lush green trees in the background. — Photo credit: @KIWAPWA

A collaborative effort

This initiative was implemented by GRID-Arendal in close collaboration with the Kisumu Waste Pickers Welfare Association (KIWAPWA), with financial and technical support from GIZ. Local facilitators, community leaders, and representatives from Kisumu County also contributed to the success of the training.

By investing in women waste workers, their safety, skills, leadership, and dignity, this project demonstrates that environmental sustainability and social inclusion must go hand in hand. Because circular economy solutions are strongest when they are inclusive.