Accidental Entrepreneurs: Recycling, Upcycling and Downcycling by Ecopreneurs at Bottom of Pyramid in Upper Swat

Abstract

The study aims to examine contributions of accidental entrepreneurs working below the bottom of pyramid using an inductive qualitative research design in upper Swat. With a social constructivist paradigm, we strive to adhere the standards for reporting of qualitative research SRQR while using grounded theory as inquiry strategy. Overall, 14 interviews were done from reclamation workers, who are referred as accidental entrepreneurs for purpose of this study. The study findings denote that significant level of valorization is achieved by reclaimers, waste pickers and stockpile consolidators in categories of recycling related to Institutional waste, Construction and demolition (C&D) recycling, Festive Sacred Consumption recycling and Vehicular Waste. The precycling activities are done manually, albeit, not without significant occupational health risks and disease threats due to ignoring of safety standards. The study concludes that more efficient measures are employed by informal sector although their output contributes more to downcycling than upcycling type of recycling. The study recommends extension of municipality services to include recycling of waste through some form of job enlargements mechanism and contributes by showing how self-organized autonomous informal ecopreneurs working below the base can significantly enhance valorization to accidentally help combat against effects of anthropogenic global warming.