Cartoneros, cooperatives protest plans to overhaul Buenos Aires recycling
Cooperatives warn plans to bring in private companies could threaten thousands of jobs and undermine a 20-year-old socially inclusive recycling system. Leer más
On Wednesday, a diverse group of protesters, including cooperatives, social organizations, and over 7,000 cartoneros (recycling waste pickers) marched through Buenos Aires City to voice their opposition to proposed changes in the capital's waste management and recycling system. The demonstration commenced at 11am at the junction of Belgrano and Jujuy avenues in Balvanera, and culminated at the Once railway station.
The Argentine Federation of Waste Pickers, Cart Drivers and Recyclers (FACCyR) organized the protest, expressing concern that the changes could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of families, who have been involved in the socially inclusive recycling system for more than two decades. The current system, involving 12 cooperatives, is set to undergo significant alterations under the Buenos Aires City Government's plans.
The proposed new system would divide the city into six operating zones, with private companies being contracted to manage various aspects of waste collection, including door-to-door services, recycling drop-offs, and processing recyclable materials. However, the cartoneros and cooperatives argue that these proposed modifications threaten the existing system, which includes a fixed payment from the City government and a variable amount based on the materials collected and sold.
In 2025, the fixed payment for recyclers was 390,000 pesos (approximately US$260), including travel expenses. The economic situation has been exacerbated by the declining value of recyclable materials, particularly cardboard, which serves as the primary source of income for many workers. The protest coincided with the ongoing administrative process to determine the future of the city's dry-waste management system.
City Hall advocates for the introduction of private companies, claiming it would enable the implementation of advanced technology and enhance waste collection efficiency. Conversely, the recyclers contend that the future of thousands of jobs and a system that has supported impoverished workers for over two decades hangs in the balance.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
