How much for an inclusive and solidary selective waste collection? A Brazilian study case

Abstract

Waste management and recycling need to be more inclusive, integrating informal agents such as Waste Pickers. In many Global South countries, Waste Pickers’ Organisations (WPOs) have their work recognised at country levels. Despite Brazilian policies’ achievements, WPOs have faced many challenges, one being their financial sustainability. This paper presents a financial diagnosis and analysis of the solidary and inclusive selective collection in a Brazilian city that supports a WPO since 2010. The SoCo Tool allows to quantify and understand the impacts and benefits of selective collection. Results show an operational cost of US$ 47.00/tonne performed by the WPO or US$ 20.632,80 (2016), meaning a 37% cost reduction for the local authority. ACLAMA is a small, but efficient WPO, with a high average productivity per worker and a low rejects rate compared to other case studies. Concerning occupational health, results showed that these aspects could be improved, as well as social benefits for the workers of ACLAMA. We raise the discussion that surviving on materials’ sales are not enough and a greater financial participation from the municipality and producers in the form of payment for urban cleaning services could help to bear costs for these social benefits and other operational improvements, such as more investments in sorting machinery and equipment. Municipal waste management with the inclusion of organisations of waste pickers presents a real possibility for achieving productive cooperated organisation, income generation for several families, environmental gains to reach a more humane and sustainable society.