Packaging Designs Have Stifled Waste-Picker Earnings
A new report found that poorly designed plastic bottles cost waste pickers over $150 million annually.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Consumer Goods
Live Poll
Do you believe manufacturers have a responsibility to design packaging that supports fair waste-picker wages?
The Consumer Goods Forum released a report highlighting how packaging design choices in low- and middle-income countries reduce the value of recycled materials. Poorly designed PET bottles are currently costing informal waste pickers more than $150 million in potential annual earnings.
Why it matters
Packaging characteristics directly influence the market value of materials collected for recycling, meaning design flaws actively diminish the livelihoods of informal waste workers. The report suggests that manufacturers could significantly improve recyclability and worker pay by switching to transparent materials and minimizing label printing.
In Indonesia, waste pickers earn an average of US$0.28 per kilogram for clear PET compared to just US$0.17 for colored PET. Similarly, recovered clear PET in Colombia fetches roughly three times the market price of green or amber varieties.
The players
The Consumer Goods Forum
This global industry network brings together consumer goods manufacturers and retailers to secure consumer trust and drive positive change.
The details
The report suggests manufacturers strengthen recyclability by using uncolored or transparent PET and keeping direct printing on labels to a minimum. Additionally, a gender analysis of official data in Brazil indicated that male waste pickers currently earn more than their female counterparts.
Timeline
The Consumer Goods Forum report was released in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The push for sustainable design aligns with the broader move toward circular economy packaging standards for PET plastics. By addressing design flaws, companies are attempting to mitigate negative impacts on waste-picker livelihoods while improving global recycling infrastructure.
Shoppers may eventually see changes in product packaging as manufacturers adopt more transparent and minimally labeled designs to boost recyclability. These shifts in product presentation are designed to streamline waste recovery rather than directly affecting retail price points.
The takeaway
Consumers can support more equitable recycling systems by favoring products packaged in clear, uncolored plastics. These simple purchasing shifts incentivize brands to adopt designs that increase the market value of recycled materials for independent waste workers.
Further reading
For more on the industry trends, see our Consumer Goods section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Packaginginsights.
Live Poll
Do you believe manufacturers have a responsibility to design packaging that supports fair waste-picker wages?
