Management of solid wastes has become a critical issue for almost all the major cities in Nigeria. Although the responsibility
for solid waste management remains primarily with the local government councils, several other stakeholders are playing significant
roles in the system. In Zaria, the scavengers, waste pickers and collectors eke out a living by collecting waste and selling recyclable
materials out of the urban solid wastes. The paper utilized data collected using questionnaire survey, in-depth discussion guides and
open-ended interviews to examine the socio-economic characteristics, the functions, aspects of involvement of children, the working
conditions and problems of waste collectors and pickers in Zaria. The paper found that the sector is the only means of solid waste
collection in several sections of the town and is a source of livelihood for the poor. The activities help in realizing the aim of modern
waste management, that is to move up the solid waste management hierarchy by reducing reliance on disposal and increasing recycling.
In spite of these important functions, informal waste collection and recycling are associated with problems of unsanitary conditions and
health risks to the communities and the waste collectors. Recommendations have been made to integrate the informal sector into the
formal waste management by incorporating the employment needs of the urban poor and enhancing the efficiency of government in
addressing the main problems.