Human Rights Due Diligence Toolkit

HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE TOOLKIT

FOR RECYCLED RAW MATERIALS VALUE CHAINS

In 2023, WORK, through our First Mile Initiative, consulted for Tearfund to produce a Human Rights Due Diligence Toolkit for brands that procure recycled raw materials from 20 million or more informal waste workers globally. This work draws from our experience working with informal waste workers in Haiti and beyond, and builds from a space of inclusivity, mutual respect, and an intention to improve raw material supply chains to benefit all workers and businesses involved.

This Toolkit was created in support of the Fair Circularity Principles which apply the expectations of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) to the informal waste sector. This three-stage toolkit offers guidance and templates to support businesses in implementing the Fair Circularity Principles by:

1. mapping their value chains

2. assessing and analyzing human rights risks and their root causes

3. meaningfully engaging with informal waste sector workers to ensure human rights impacts are prevented, mitigated and remedied.

4. providing a monitoring and evaluation framework

5. applying a gender lens throughout the process

The tools cover the informal waste sector as a whole but with a focus on waste pickers – who are often the most vulnerable rights holders within this broader group.

Download the tools:

We want to thank Tearfund and those who provided feedback on the tool for their collaboration and pioneering this work together.

Our tool development draws from our knowledge and experience in direct implementation work. We see our ability to support others to develop and implement systems as a key strategy to improve lives and livelihoods and to end poverty through good, dignified jobs. We have served brands that procure from informal supply chains to investors of recycling facilities to support the improvement of responsible sourcing practices and business performance. If we can support your efforts, please reach out to our team at support@dowork.org.