“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.” – Psalm 113:7–8
This beautiful psalm reminds us that God sees those whom society often overlooks. The “ash heap” in biblical times referred to the place where rubbish and ashes were thrown outside the city. It symbolized the lowest place in society. Yet the psalm proclaims a powerful truth: God lifts people up from places of rejection and restores their dignity.
Today this verse speaks deeply to the lives of waste pickers. Across many cities and towns, thousands of people earn their living by collecting recyclable materials from bins, streets, and landfill sites. Their work reduces pollution, keeps valuable materials in circulation, and helps care for the earth. In many ways, waste pickers are quiet environmental stewards, helping to heal the planet by rescuing what others have thrown away.
Yet their work is often difficult and dangerous. Waste pickers frequently have to search through mixed rubbish, encountering broken glass, rotting food, and other hazardous materials. A simple act from households can make a big difference to their safety and dignity.
Sorting and washing our recyclables is an important step. When we separate paper, plastics, metal, and glass from food waste, we make it easier and safer for waste pickers to recover these materials. Rinsing containers and keeping recyclables clean prevents unpleasant smells, reduces health risks, and allows the materials to be sold more easily. These small actions show respect for the people whose livelihoods depend on recycling.
Psalm 113 reminds us that every person carries God-given dignity. When we think about what happens to our rubbish after we throw it away, we begin to see the hidden human stories behind it.
So the next time you empty your bin, pause for a moment. Sort your waste. Rinse your containers. Recycle carefully. In doing so, you honor the work of those who labour among society’s discards—and participate in God’s vision of lifting people from the ash heap into dignity and hope. ♻️