Informal recycling sector in Serbia through a health perspective

Abstract

Even though recycling, incineration, and other waste treatment methods are available, landfills continue to dominate waste disposal in Serbia. Without proper management, numerous landfills pose grave dangers, as exemplified by the August 2021 fires at multiple landfills in Serbia. In addition to formal waste recycling systems, approximately 15 million people participate in informal waste recycling, primarily for plastics, metals, glass, and paper, while this figure in Serbia is estimated to be between 30 and 50 thousand. This review analyses emerging public health issues, particularly associated with the informal waste recycling sector in Serbia. Although informal recyclers contribute to waste recycling and reuse, the relatively rudimentary techniques they employ, in conjunction with improper management of secondary pollutants, exacerbate environmental pollution of air, soil, and water. Even worse, inadequate occupational health measures expose informal waste workers to a variety of pollutants, injuries, respiratory and dermatological conditions, infections, and other significant health problems that contribute to a low life expectancy. Integration of the informal sector with its formal counterparts could enhance waste management while simultaneously addressing these grave health and livelihood issues.