Buenos Aires’ dumpsters - 13th July 2023

In Argentina, food prices have increased. But salaries haven’t. In the past year, food went up by 117 percent. Many women are looking through dumpsters to find food for their families.

Every week, Gladys Meza and Limpia Benitez travel to Buenos Aires to search the dumpsters near the central market.

Limpia Benitez: "Today I came with my neighbour to collect vegetables. We don't see them as trash, at least I don't. I thank God for having this, because my husband works and he works on the books, but it's not enough. It's not enough. And well, at least to help him, I come here to collect vegetables."

Today, 40 percent of the country lives in poverty. The women who collect food from the rubbish don’t feel embarrassed. But, they’re angry about the food waste.

Limpia Benitez: "Obviously, it sometimes makes me angry and I think to myself: 'Why, God? Why? Why so much waste?' There is so much hunger, there are people who are really in need. The other day, 15 days ago, I had a cart and a bag full. Those vegetables lasted only two days because I gave them to all my neighbours, to the people who really needed them. I am not cheap."

The women take the bus and train to bring back 20 kilograms of food. They clean, share and prepare the food. Not all the food can be eaten by humans. They give this to animals or use it for gardening.

Limpia Benitez: "But I'm not ashamed, I don't feel bad about this. On the contrary, I feel good because I take it as a job, because in fact, we are also working, we make an effort to carry everything."

By going to the dumpsters, these women save $30 weekly. Some of their friends clean houses for 9 to 10 hours weekly. They earn less. These women look for better jobs because food prices are going up. Going to the dumpsters is their best option.