Displaced Syrians search burning garbage for recyclables to earn income

Displaced Syrians living in makeshift settlements across the country have turned to scavenging burning piles of waste in order to earn a meager income. With formal employment scarce and humanitarian assistance stretched thin, men, women and children sift through mountains of garbage set alight by the heat, extracting metal scraps, plastic bottles and other recyclable materials that can be sold to informal traders. The practice has become a common survival strategy in camps and informal settlements near major urban centers such as Aleppo, Idlib and Homs, where the influx of displaced families has overwhelmed local economies and infrastructure.

Health officials and aid agencies warn that the activity exposes participants to hazardous fumes, burns and respiratory ailments, while the lack of organized recycling systems limits the profitability of the effort. Several NGOs have begun piloting waste‑management projects that aim to provide safer collection points and modest wages for recyclers, but funding constraints and security concerns have slowed broader implementation. The continued reliance on hazardous scavenging underscores the urgent need for sustainable livelihood programs and improved waste‑handling services for Syria’s displaced population.