Los rostros de la basura : estigmas, luchas y agregación de la población recicladora de Bogotá

Abstract

The terms “disposable” and “waste-picker” are often used interchangeably to refer to that individual who, due to various conditions, has to find his livelihood in the garbage. This unbalanced power relationship between the waste producer and the recycler, who is supposed to live on what the other discards, has historically marginalized this population, creating stereotypes that link them to crime, drug addiction and homelessness. In this documentary I try to show an intimate look of recycling and recyclers in the city of Bogotá, in part, because I am part of this chain: because it is also my story. My proximity to this population allows me to tell by first-hand the experience of the recycler in the streets, the obstacles that appear every day to do their work and the struggle they have given for the recognition of their rights. This documentary is a journey that goes from my most personal reflections to public policy debates about waste management in the country.