Although the informal sector of waste collection has an important role in income diversification for the poor and contribution to waste recycling, this sector is still not recognised in any government official policies and is usually underestimated in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. This paper employs a systems thinking approach to analyse the crucial roles of the informal sector in solid waste management (SWM) system in Vietnam. From a circular economy viewpoint, the flow diagram was built for the first time, which could integrate the actors and activities of the informal sector into a wider SWM system in Vietnam. The map focuses on analysing the contributions and activities of the informal sector, focusing on its roles and impacts on the recycling system. This paper then employed the systems thinking approach to further analyse the systematic problem of the informal sector. The analysis builds on the field survey including elements and key driving forces of the systems with 36 scrap dealers, 127 scrap buyers, and 760 households and in-depth interviews with experts in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam. Based on the practices and experience in waste-related activities of informal sector, this sector should be integrated into the general waste management process. With the relevance of informal systems, the authorities could establish an effective waste recycling system, and improve the livelihoods and working conditions of those involved, especially the poor.

尽管废物收集的非正规部门在穷人的收入多样化和废物回收的贡献中具有重要作用，但该部门仍未在任何政府官方政策中得到认可，在越南湄公河三角洲通常被低估。本文采用系统思维方法来分析越南非正规部门在固体废物管理（SWM）系统中的关键作用。从循环经济的角度来看，流程图是第一次建立的，它可以将非正规部门的参与者和活动整合到越南更广泛的SWM系统中。该地图着重于分析非正规部门的贡献和活动，侧重于非正规部门的作用及其对回收系统的影响。然后，本文采用系统思维方法来进一步分析非正规部门的系统性问题。该分析基于现场调查，包括与36个废钢经销商，127个废钢采购商和760户家庭组成的系统的要素和主要驱动力，以及对越南湄公河三角洲地区专家的深入采访。根据非正规部门与废物有关的活动的做法和经验，应将该部门纳入一般废物管理过程。在非正式系统的意义上，当局可以建立有效的废物回收系统，并改善有关人员，特别是穷人的生活和工作条件。127个废料买家和760户住户，并接受了越南湄公河三角洲地区专家的深入采访。根据非正规部门与废物有关的活动的做法和经验，应将该部门纳入一般废物管理过程。在非正式系统的意义上，当局可以建立有效的废物回收系统，并改善有关人员，特别是穷人的生活和工作条件。127个废料买家和760户住户，并接受了越南湄公河三角洲地区专家的深入采访。根据非正规部门与废物有关的活动的做法和经验，应将该部门纳入一般废物管理过程。在非正式系统的意义上，当局可以建立有效的废物回收系统，并改善有关人员，特别是穷人的生活和工作条件。