Delusion or reality? Analyzing the impact of collaboration and privatization initiatives on grassroots waste workers in Bangladesh

Effective waste management is a critical challenge for sustainable development, particularly in rapidly urbanizing low-income countries like Bangladesh. Collaborative and privatization models have emerged as common strategies to address inefficiencies in urban waste systems. This study explores the lived experiences of grassroots waste workers: sweepers, sanitation workers, transitory scavengers, door-to-door collectors, and small waste dealers. It analyzes how these initiatives impact their livelihoods, access to waste, relationships with stakeholders, and vulnerability to exploitation. Drawing on interviews with 37 grassroots workers, two long-term practitioners, and two university researchers, the findings reveal that privatization has led to significant economic vulnerability, displacement, restricted access to waste streams, and the erosion of social networks, exacerbating existing inequalities. Furthermore, the political dynamics in Bangladesh’s waste sector, marked by opaque tender processes and intermediary exploitation, further marginalize informal workers. These findings resonate globally, highlighting the tension between efficiency and equity in waste management reforms. By situating Bangladesh’s challenges within South Asian and global debates on sustainability, equity, and development, this research underscores the importance of inclusive policies that balance modernization with social justice.