A panel at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) will explore the future role of waste pickers in aluminium recycling.

Taking place in Belém, Brazil, on 13 November, the session titled: “People Driving the Circular Economy: Integrating Waste Pickers in Aluminium Recycling,” will be hosted by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, and Associação Brasileira do Alumínio (ABAL).

Marlen Bertram, director of scenarios and forecasts at the IAI, said: “Meeting ambitious global recycling targets requires every stakeholder across the aluminium value chain to work in concert.

“From primary producers to end-users, and crucially including the waste pickers, we must build systems where everyone’s contribution is recognised and supported.

“Industry-wide alignment on responsible recycling practices is essential if we are to deliver on both our climate commitments and our obligation to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a circular economy.”

During the panel, the experts will: explore practical approaches to integrating waste pickers into established recycling markets; discuss innovative pilot programmes; and examine how to optimise climate action frameworks and responsible sourcing standards.

While the aluminium industry directly employs 1.6m people worldwide, between 15m and 20m waste pickers operate informally, collecting and sorting waste which helps keep recycling rates high and emissions low.

However, despite their importance to the aluminium value chain, they often lack access to the benefits and protections offered by formal employment.

Janaina Donas, from ABAL, added: “Brazil and South America are home to vibrant informal recycling networks that have long been the backbone of our region’s circular economy.

“As we host COP30 in Belém, we have a unique opportunity to showcase how we can lead the way in creating inclusive recycling systems that honour the dignity and expertise of waste pickers while strengthening our collective climate response.

“Their integration into formal markets is not just an economic imperative, it’s a matter of social justice and environmental effectiveness.”

Full list of panellists:

  • Gabriel Carmona Aparicio, circularity research manager at Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
  • Severino Francisco de Lima Junior, president at International Alliance of Waste Pickers
  • Sandrine Duquerroy Delesalle, vice president global sustainability & external affairs at Crown Holdings
  • Adalberto Maluf, national secretary of urban environment, water resources and environmental quality at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil

More information here.