Negotiating space: The daily mobility of women waste pickers in Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

In many cities across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, informal women waste pickers play a crucial role in managing recyclable waste, reducing municipal costs and urban carbon footprints. Despite their contributions, limited attention to their mobility patterns reflects the low priority governments, academia and society assign to understanding their particular needs, hindering the development of inclusive policies and innovative methodologies.

This study introduces a mixed methods approach to study the spatial behavior of informal urban waste pickers. The methodology comprises three stages: First, a survey and mapping techniques, reveal the spatial distribution of residence, work and storage locations, mode of transport, and collection tools. Second, GPS tracking identifies mobility patterns, dominant flows and clusters of their collection routes. Third, multi-sited ethnography uncovers the reasons and perceptions behind their daily movements. The integration of these three stages highlights the factors that constrain and limit their mobility. Applied in Cuenca, Ecuador, this method establishes a baseline for understanding women waste pickers' spatial behavior. Results show that waste pickers walk up to 16 km daily, navigating spatial, economic, physical, and social challenges. By focusing on women's everyday lives, this study reveals socio-spatial inequalities and provides a robust foundation for advocating effective, inclusive public policies.