Functionings Concerning Other Livelihood Assets

50 This functioning may be considered ambivalent since it is also a precondition to be able to participate in the formalization program.

Figure 15: Stated Functionings Sorted into Main Categories with an Emphasis on Other Livelihood Assets. Source: Own Illustration.

34%

11%

55%

Main Categories

Income Health Measures Other

More than half of all functionings named by formalized recyclers working in Barranco are based on other livelihood assets than income and health measures (Figure 15). Therefore, the additional

category of Other was created to take up the functionings created in the areas that were not related to the two livelihood assets, that received special emphasis when designing the structure of this thesis. The same process as for the functionings of the categories Income and Health Measures was applied for structuring the 75 functionings belonging to the category of Other, which lead to defining three subcategories: Work Environment, Personal Development and Social Recognition (Figure 16).

Work Environment. Most functionings related to other livelihood assets than income and health measures affect the area of recyclers’ work environment. Like that, six out of ten interviewees described that they were protected from persecution by members of Serenazgo, the public security force, creating a safer environment for formalized recyclers in comparison with their colleagues who run the risk of being fined in several ways for looking for waste in the streets informally. Also, being recognized as a recycler through the uniform worn by association members was referred to as a positive change of their work environment, improving their well-being. The functioning of being supported by the municipality was pointed out by several sample group respondents, too.

Receiving support from the institution that is managing the system, formalized recyclers belong to, thus represents another factor for increasing their individual well-being. Valued functionings like engaging in a dialogue with one’s authorities and organizing an event in cooperation with the municipality should be noted as yet more detailed facets of the aforementioned functioning. Two respondents also described that they had great responsibility at work in contrast to when they

were working informally and working for a supermarket was mentioned as a valued functioning, too. These two aspects illustrate additional features of the positive change experienced by formal recyclers in their work environment. Moreover, receiving recyclables from households directly, usually already sorted and sometimes even at the home of the respective recycler was stated several times as another difference concerning their work environment, compared to working in an informal setting. Besides having a stable job and counting with more decent working conditions in general, sample group participants also mentioned that they were working more, now that they are formalized. Formalization enabled two respondents to dedicate their working time fully to recycling which was not possible before. Lastly, the functioning described by two interviewees who said that they were now working in a calm environment sums up the changes in this area quite conveniently.

Personal Development. 23 % of all functionings generated for recyclers through the livelihood strategy of formalization, which do not fall into the categories of Income or Health Measures, have an effect of the recyclers’ personal development (Figure 16). For example, several respondents described aspects of the formalization program designed by CS⁵¹ as influences on their livelihoods.

While some stated that they were being informed about SWM as a result of formalization, others described it more precisely by pointing out that they now know about protective gear needed for their occupation, participate in training sessions, projects and events and get to know the circumstances of other persons who recycle. Learning about environmental facts, especially the environmental aspect of recycling was another functioning designated by formalized recyclers, while one interviewee even stated that he was now understanding that recycling contributes to economic, environmental and social inclusion. Another participant mentioned functionings connected to more personal characteristics, namely engaging with people more openly than when she was working informally as well as engaging with people with the same mindset. More functionings pointed out by recyclers concerning their personal development were being independent, pursuing a labor activity instead of staying home, having more energy to carry out work as well as being certified by SENATI⁵¹. One interviewee also denominated feeling like being in a higher social position as a functioning generated through formalization. This statement also points to the third and last subcategory of the Other category, Social Recognition, which will be addressed in what follows.

51 See chapter 4.3.2 for a description of the “Ciudad Saludable” intervention.

Social Recognition. Functionings described by sample group members which were classified as belonging to the Social Recognition subcategory make up 24% of all 75 functionings in the Other category, ergo 18 items (Figure 16). Five out of ten sample group interviewees expressed that they were counting with a trusting relationship with the neighbors, they receive recyclables from. The same number of respondents mentioned that formalization caused them to have an improved reputation in friends’ and neighbors’ view which shows that functionings were not only generated in the work-related social context but in the private one, too. Like that, one interviewee pointed out that she was being admired by friends while another recycler named the functioning of receiving better reactions from friends concerning her work. Being admired by fellow recyclers for being protected against persecution as well as being respected and understood by neighbors were also described as functionings gained in the course of becoming a formal member of Barranco’s SWM system. In addition to receiving support from neighbors, the functioning of creating friendship with the neighbors lastly underlines the change of recyclers’ opportunity space with regard to social recognition.