Unilever Human Rights Case Study on Waste Pickers

This case study details Unilever's collaborative efforts to enhance working conditions for waste pickers, who play a crucial role in global recycling. The document outlines the establishment of the Fair Circularity Initiative (FCI) in 2022, co-founded by Unilever and other major companies, aimed at integrating informal waste pickers into formal value chains. It describes various projects undertaken in countries like India and Indonesia, which focus on empowering waste pickers through education, social protection, and economic opportunities. The case study highlights specific initiatives such as the 'Utthaan Initiative' in India, which reached over 5,700 waste pickers, and a study in Indonesia that provided insights into the challenges faced by women in the informal waste sector. Additionally, it mentions partnerships with organizations like TRANSFORM and projects that support waste pickers while promoting recycling. The document also discusses the development of a Global Human Rights Framework for Plastics Value Chains and calls for protections in the UN plastics treaty for workers in the informal sector.