Understanding the Contemporary Challenges and Adaptive Strategies Used By Informal Waste Recyclers in Manshiyat An-Nasr to Secure Their Right to Waste

Using the perspectives and experiences of traditional informal waste recyclers in Manshiyat an- Naṣr, a group who has engaged within the informal waste trade in Cairo for more than 80 years, this thesis investigates how the informal waste sector value chain has changed within a more contemporary Egyptian society. Drawing on qualitative data gathered over the course of three (3) weeks in Egypt in August and September in 2022, I argue that the right to waste of informal recyclers in Manshiyat an-Naṣr, which has historically secured their livelihoods within the waste sector, is threatened by processes of modernization and greater environmental awareness within Egypt. I find that increased competition and the implications of formalization have emerged as prominent challenges faced by second-generation informal recyclers in maintaining their right to waste. However, community members have adapted their activities and practices to acclimate to the evolving landscape of waste management in Cairo. These changes have included the use of three primary assets to secure opportunities and demonstrate their integral role within the sector: diversification, social networks, and external support. Thus, while the adaptive capacity demonstrated in this community suggests a strong sense of resilience and agency for livelihood outcomes, this work reveals that the lack of equitable integration remains the greatest threat to the modernizing municipal solid waste management (MSWM) sector, and undermines attainment of sustainable livelihoods for members of the community. I conclude by considering the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for informal waste recyclers in Manshiyat an-Naṣr, and their impacts on other informal waste settlements in Egypt, and globally.