The Waste Pickers – Chittagong, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh’s vast dumps, where others see waste, waste pickers see survival. Surrounded by mountains of discarded plastic, metal, and scraps, these men, women, and children work tirelessly — salvaging anything they can sell to support their families. This informal workforce, often called waste pickers, plays a vital but invisible role in Bangladesh’s urban economy.

I spent a couple of days walking through this chaotic yet humbling world in Chittagong, meeting remarkable individuals who live and work in these landfill communities. The sweetest kids, with dirt-smudged faces and bright, curious eyes, greeted me with shy smiles and incredible warmth.

One little girl stood out — spirited, joyful, and full of mischief despite her circumstances. She followed me everywhere, her laughter echoing through the makeshift lanes as if it could defy the reality around her. When it came time to leave, she clung to my side, her eyes asking a question my heart couldn’t bear to answer.

I explained that I couldn’t take her with me, and she nodded in a way that sounded far older than her years. She waved goodbye as I drove away.

In a world where so much is discarded, the children of these waste-picking communities remind us that hope, dignity, and dreams still endure — even in the harshest corners of the world.