In Harare, Zimbabwe, a growing network of informal scrap metal hunters is playing an unexpected role in the fight against climate change. By collecting and selling discarded metal, they not only make ends meet in a struggling economy but also help reduce pollution and carbon emissions. The steelmaking process requires burning large amounts of coal. Meanwhile, the coal industry is one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 8% of global energy-related emissions. However, recycling metal uses about 60% less energy than producing it from raw materials. As a result, Zimbabwe’s scrap pickers are crucial in a country where 1,000 tons of waste go uncollected daily.
AP
