This article is a synthesis of the theoretical aspects related with the urban problem of the informalrecycling in our means, and it is framed inside the denominated investigation project «Alternatives for theinvigoration of the informal recycling in Medellin», which is a thesis of the grade that looks for to strengthenthe informal recycling through the study of the factors associated to the labor productivity of the informalrecycler. Specifically, the study will identify options of improvement of its work y points to propose alternativesto dignify the labour of these people integrally by the light of environmental precepts, technicians, normative,institutional, social and of sostenibilidad. This document describe the theoretical elements in which thisinvestigation will be based, showing the informal recycling inside of an international context, and their situationin a national and local environment.As a result of the bibliographical revision earned out, can be said, that it glimpses a low interest in toimprove the conditions of work at international level of the informal recycler, unless the strategies that itoutlines the International Labour Organization, with regard to the strenghtening of the informal economy; inLatin America, it has not been posible to go further of the official rhetoric and the promotion of the groupsenvironmentalists, but in the issue of the recovery policies, reuse, and the recycling of solid wastes, if therehas been a sustained advance; at national level dear strategies to improve the informal work of the recyclerare being identified, however, lacks many efforts to develop the committed actions with these strategies, inspite of the fact that has been advancing the creation of recyclers organizations little by little.