The government of the Argentine capital will change is garbage collection system to facilitate the work of informal paper and cardboard gatherers who make their living selling the material. Beginning in March 2003, the 2.7 million residents of Buenos Aires will be asked to separate their garbage in two bags: one with organic waste and the other with paper and cardboard. The first will be picked up by the garbage companies, and the second by the so-called 'cartoneros', or informal vendors of the recyclable material.

The authorities are hoping this will provide some order to a phenomenon that began in the last several months as a result of sharply increased poverty and unemployment: hundreds of families digging through garbage to sell recyclable items, leading to waste being spread throughout city streets.

The plan entails help for the cartoneros to organize cooperatives, establishing operating rules and a health campaign to promote vaccinations and the use of gloves.