Trash TalkTrash Talk Examining the role of organizations of Examining the role of organizations of

catadorescatadores in Brazilian waste management in Brazilian waste management

Minas International – Globalizing LocallyMinas International – Globalizing Locally

August 2, 2011August 2, 2011

Belo Horizonte, BrazilBelo Horizonte, Brazil

Current SituationCurrent Situation

Social problems facing catadoresSocial problems facing catadores Roughly 1 million in Brazil (1 in 200)Roughly 1 million in Brazil (1 in 200) Low income: exploitation by middlemenLow income: exploitation by middlemen Health risks: sanitation, lacerations, animalsHealth risks: sanitation, lacerations, animals Marginalization from societyMarginalization from society

Environmental problemsEnvironmental problems Improper disposal of wasteImproper disposal of waste Lack of institutionalized recycling programsLack of institutionalized recycling programs

More rapid depreciation of natural resourcesMore rapid depreciation of natural resources Larger quantities of waste generatedLarger quantities of waste generated

Benefits of OrganizationsBenefits of Organizations

EconomicEconomic Large scale – sell higher in supply chainLarge scale – sell higher in supply chain Process materials – add valueProcess materials – add value Stable employment with benefitsStable employment with benefits Industries benefit from having more stable suppliersIndustries benefit from having more stable suppliers

SocialSocial Pride - Societal recognition of value of workPride - Societal recognition of value of work Cooperative spirit – support networkCooperative spirit – support network Formality – uniforms, equipmentFormality – uniforms, equipment

EnvironmentalEnvironmental Creation of formal recycling programsCreation of formal recycling programs

So How Does It Work?So How Does It Work?

Formation of associations and cooperativesFormation of associations and cooperatives Ranging from 10 to 200 catadoresRanging from 10 to 200 catadores

Agreements with local prefeituras and businesses Agreements with local prefeituras and businesses to guarantee supply of materialsto guarantee supply of materials

Collection using trucks, cartsCollection using trucks, carts Warehouse for sorting, processingWarehouse for sorting, processing Processing equipment – presses, grindersProcessing equipment – presses, grinders Administration – negotiating prices, accountingAdministration – negotiating prices, accounting

Images – Coopersoli (Outside View)Images – Coopersoli (Outside View)

Guardhouse and Guardhouse and BalanceBalance

Silo Entrance and Silo Entrance and Drop-off SiteDrop-off Site

Images – Coopersoli (Sorting)Images – Coopersoli (Sorting)

Images – Coopersoli (Processing)Images – Coopersoli (Processing)

Areas of DevelopmentAreas of Development

1. Political1. Political

2. Economic2. Economic

3. Managerial3. Managerial

1. Political1. Political

NationalNational Law 12.305 Law 12.305 “Law of National Solid Waste Reduction” “Law of National Solid Waste Reduction” Formal recognition of professionFormal recognition of profession Interministerial Committee for Social and Economic Inclusion of Interministerial Committee for Social and Economic Inclusion of

Catadores (CIISC)Catadores (CIISC) Donation of resources, funds (PAC)Donation of resources, funds (PAC) Setting the example - coleta seletiva in federal officesSetting the example - coleta seletiva in federal offices

State (Minas Gerais)State (Minas Gerais) Law 18.031 “Law of State Solid Waste Reduction”Law 18.031 “Law of State Solid Waste Reduction” Centro Mineiro de ReferCentro Mineiro de Referêência em Resíduos (CMRR)ncia em Resíduos (CMRR) Plano Estadual de Coleta Seletiva – guidelines for municipalitiesPlano Estadual de Coleta Seletiva – guidelines for municipalities

1. Political (cont’d)1. Political (cont’d)

MunicipalMunicipal Supplying warehouse space, supplies, constructionSupplying warehouse space, supplies, construction Work with catadores on all aspects of local waste management Work with catadores on all aspects of local waste management

programsprograms Issues: Vested special interestsIssues: Vested special interests

Civil SocietyCivil Society Waste and Citizenship ForumsWaste and Citizenship Forums Partnerships with Partnerships with “Grandes Geradores”“Grandes Geradores” NGOs and universitiesNGOs and universities Outreach campaigns to local residentsOutreach campaigns to local residents

Done by the catadoresDone by the catadores Theater groups, pamphlets, instructional materialsTheater groups, pamphlets, instructional materials

2. Economic2. Economic

Commercializing in networks (CATAUNIDOS)Commercializing in networks (CATAUNIDOS) Sell higher up in supply chain (more value, price stability)Sell higher up in supply chain (more value, price stability) Industrialization: process to add value, sell final productsIndustrialization: process to add value, sell final products

Capital needsCapital needs Initial investment: warehouse, equipment (donors)Initial investment: warehouse, equipment (donors) Building capital within organizations (maintain and expand)Building capital within organizations (maintain and expand)

Diversification of incomeDiversification of income Composting organics Composting organics Fertilizer, carbon credits Fertilizer, carbon credits Contracts for public service provisionContracts for public service provision

Developing business modelsDeveloping business models

3. Managerial3. Managerial

Difficult Balance of Social and Business GoalsDifficult Balance of Social and Business Goals Equality vs. HierarchyEquality vs. Hierarchy

Expanding role of the diretoria – skill developmentExpanding role of the diretoria – skill development Decision-making: democracy vs. imposition by leadersDecision-making: democracy vs. imposition by leaders Supervision of productionSupervision of production

Inclusion vs. IncentivesInclusion vs. Incentives Remuneration schemesRemuneration schemes

Local vs. Universal ModelsLocal vs. Universal Models SizeSize Recruitment and Turnover, Training ProgramsRecruitment and Turnover, Training Programs

““A vida me fez um papelão, e eu fiz A vida me fez um papelão, e eu fiz do papelão a minha vida.”do papelão a minha vida.”

~ASMARE~ASMARE