“Talking to garbage”: a photo elicitation study on Syrian and Afghan migrant waste collectors in Isparta Turkey

While the circular economy and sustainability present macro-level challenges, micro-scale actors such as waste collectors – especially in developing countries – play a vital, yet often overlooked, role in the recycling chain. In Turkey, where recycling is largely managed by the informal sector, migrant workers fill a critical gap left by the absence of advanced recycling infrastructure. This study focuses on Isparta, a city in southwestern Turkey with an agricultural economy and evolving waste management practices, to explore and make visible the lived experiences of migrant waste collectors (MWCs). Using a three-phase methodology – preliminary interviews and observations, in-depth interviews combined with photo elicitation, and a final phase involving a photo exhibition and interactive workshop – the research engaged eleven MWCs, and key stakeholders involved in urban recycling in Turkey, including municipal officials, scholars, and industry representatives. Findings reveal that MWCs perform essential labour at the foundation of Turkey’s recycling economy, yet face systemic neglect. They operate under poor regulatory conditions, face significant health risks, and experience deep social stigmatisation. Although local governments have the potential to improve these conditions, structural obstacles such as economic limitations, jurisdictional confusion, and legal ambiguities persist. The Isparta case highlights an urgent need for inclusive and rights-based policies that integrate informal labour into sustainable urban development frameworks.