Inflation and income among solid inorganic recyclable waste collectors in the city of Guayaquil

Abstract

This research analyzes the income of families dedicated to recycling urban waste. The existing problem is the slow growth of employment indicators in Guayaquil; it is the reason to consider recycling as a job. The objective is to determine the average income of recycling materials collectors in the city. This will allow comparison between the variable average monthly income with monthly inflation variable, and the correlation between them. This is a quantitative research, utilizing an inductive approach of field studies, with cross-sectional and non-experimental methodology. Among the findings is that there is a correlation between the two variables, but this is not significant. Furthermore, it determined that workers engaged in the collection, are workers with an average age of 55 years, and all have had previous careers. The collectors’ average income is about 10% above a minimum living wage generally, but 19% less than the “basic living basket” that determines the poverty line.