Recyclable Material Collectors Research Articles

Condições de trabalho e saúde de catadores de materiais recicláveis no período de pandemia da COVID-19

Recyclable material collectors belong to a professional category frequently exposed to various risks associated with working conditions in waste management. This study aimed to identify the working conditions and health of collectors in the municipality of Ponta Grossa-PR during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research utilized a sample composed of 83 associated collectors. Among the findings, it was identified that the majority of collectors were female (72.3%). The professional profile demonstrated that collectors engaged in this work out of necessity (34.0%) and because it was the only opportunity available (26.0%). Regarding health and occupational risks during the pandemic, it was found that although the collectors had developed protective strategies to avoid COVID-19 infection (94.0%), nearly half of the workers (47.0%) had contact with potentially infectious waste. During this period, activities were suspended only for those of advanced age (16.9%). Concerning COVID-19 cases, 98.8% of participants reported not having contracted the disease, but this result does not dismiss the fact that the collectors were exposed to contagion risks. From this diagnosis, it was possible to conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic caused various changes in the lives of the collectors, revealing the need for the development of emergency preventive actions for the health of these workers. For this reason, it is suggested that studies continue to guide the development of strategies that can be adopted in other widespread epidemic situations, similar to those experienced during the COVID-19 period.

Economic and environmental benefit of informal waste scavenging at landfill sites: A case study at Bukit Gemuk, Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

Recycling is an important part of the solid waste management system. However, community engagement in this activity remains relatively low. The presence of a group of individuals engaged in collecting recyclable materials at landfill sites has contributed to improving solid waste management performance. This paper aims to identify the background and activities of scavengers in collecting recyclable items at landfills, as well as the environmental impact of the scavenging activity. This study was based on questionnaires distributed to 46 scavengers in the study area. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to assess the environmental impact of using recyclable materials in manufacturing products. The LCA analysis could identify the contribution of recycled materials to the total savings of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen dioxide (N20) by using recycled materials in the production of a new product. According to the study, the majority of those involved in the scavenging activity are immigrants from Indonesia and the Philippines. Despite safety and health concerns, their efforts to earn a living through waste scavenging are extremely valuable. Furthermore, the findings show that their contribution to the collection of recyclable materials cannot be denied. It is because the presence of this group is essential in a country where recycling awareness is low. Furthermore, the indirect contribution to the environment is important, particularly in reducing the use of natural materials in producing new materials. As a result, the government must devise a more effective strategy for recycling programs by involving all stakeholders.

Solidarity economic enterprise formed by waste pickers: a case study of the Águas Lindas waste pickers association, Belém, Pará

Solidarity Economic Enterprises (EES), such as cooperatives and associations of recyclable material collectors, insert members (workers) informally into the job market, promoting income generation and a better quality of life. The way EES are organized is self-managed, democratic, and supportive, despite having specificities from one enterprise to another due to economic variables, public support, qualifications, and the life history of the members themselves. Given the above, the research aims to carry out an analysis of the organization process in the Associação de Recicladores das Águas Linda (ARAL), established in Belém, Pará, through the principles of Solidarity Economy, identifying whether it is configured as an Enterprise Solidarity Economic. To carry out the investigation, it was necessary to use a qualitative methodology of the descriptive, explanatory type, as this is a specific case study that aims to provide information about the association above. The results demonstrate that collectors collaborating through an EES have better working conditions and better-organized security to develop their activities. They carry out work in a self-managed manner where all enterprise associates perform crucial functions for its completion. They adopt this form of informal work out of necessity and still face many difficulties due to the restriction of the market for the sale of recyclable materials and the difficulties imposed on migrating from an association model to a cooperative model.

A COLETA SELETIVA NA GESTÃO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS DO MUNICÍPIO DE OURO BRANCO-MG

The city of Ouro Branco, located in the State of Minas Gerais, stands out for being a pioneer in the region in the acquisition of a Municipal Basic Sanitation Plan (PLANSOB). This article aims to present the application of selective collection in the management of solid waste in the municipality, highlighting the advances and setbacks over the years and addressing the main challenges encountered by managers in obtaining positive results and the search for continuous improvement in the sector. Historical data from the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS) were used, in addition to information provided by the municipality's Environment Department and data collected by the Association of Collectors of Recyclable and Reusable Materials of Ouro Branco (ASCOB), with the aim of evaluating the performance achieved by the waste management system in force in the municipality. The main results indicate that, despite the growing investment in solid waste management, the municipality has presented a setback over the years. It was concluded that there is a need to establish new strategies to improve the selective collection system, prioritizing investment in the sector, in order to carry out maintenance and expansions in the existing process. Other possible benefits are associated with job creation and continuous improvement in the city's economy due to the reduction of materials sent to landfills.

Analytical characterization of the reality of municipal “dumps” in the Amazon of Pará

This work aimed to analyze the general aspects of landfills in the Amazon in the territorialities of the municipalities of Pará, emphasizing the social and economic aspects of collectors of recyclable materials in these areas. This research was based on the bases of bibliographic and documentary research. It was identified that several municipalities in the state of Pará still have an environmentally inadequate final destination for landfills, causing various impacts on biodiversity, in addition to the presence of collectors of recyclable materials who work on the precariousness of these places, with scientific research being a possibility for recognizing these problems. and assistance to municipal and environmental management. It can be concluded that the state's municipalities urgently need mitigating measures to eradicate landfills, taking into account the deadline stipulated by the new legal framework for sanitation, and it is important to include, in a non-perverse way, waste pickers to comply with the adequate and effective management of solid waste, to promote sustainable and economic development in the Amazon.

Catadoras de materiais recicláveis: estratégias de resistência e medicamentos durante a pandemia de covid-19

Abstract The collection of recyclable materials is an occupation with an increasing number of workers, who find in it a livelihood in a context of socioeconomic inequalities and unemployment. This article describes resistance strategies of women collectors who are part of an association in Northeast Brazil, in addition to describing how they managed health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding medicines. A quantitative and an ethnographic approach were used by collecting data on sociodemographic and medicines present in the homes of 13 participants and conducting participant observation and in-depth interviews. Amid the health crisis, the participants mentioned problems such as unemployment, gender relations, violence, and work stigmas. If, on the one hand, the pandemic has further increased vulnerability for certain population segments, on the other hand, it has enhanced collective resistance strategies. The collectors of the association organized to obtain various materials and benefits both for their headquarters and their neighborhood. We identified 58 units of medicines, prescribed and obtained mainly at the Basic Health Unit. Of these, 27.6% had action on the nervous system (analgesics, psycholeptics, and psychoanaleptics) and 17.2% on the cardiovascular system and on the alimentary tract and metabolism. The collectors developed self-attention practices with the medicines highlighting their central role in facing health problems.

Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos: Analisando os Direitos Coletivos e Difusos dos Catadores de Materiais

Abstract This article scrutinizes the National Policy on Solid Waste (PNRS) - Law 12.305/2010 regarding the collective and diffuse rights of collectors of recyclable materials. More than a decade since the enactment of the PNRS, the rights bestowed by this legislation have yet to be actualized. In its analysis, the article highlights public-interest civil actions pertaining to the cities of São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and Brasília (DF). The hypothetical-deductive method was employed within a qualitative framework, utilizing both bibliographic and documentary research tools. It is concluded that, due to governmental neglect, there is an imperative for the ongoing involvement of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office to advocate for and safeguard the rights of this worker category, which are pivotal in the advancement of a sustainable environment.

Why don’t People Cooperate? Exploring the Lack of Cooperation Through the use of Experiments

Objective: This study sought to investigate, from the perspective of Game Theory, the reasons for the “non-cooperation” of certain groups that depend on a specific reservoir for water supply, considering the influence of economic incentives. Method: Public good game experiments were carried out with 60 recyclable material collectors, 63 indigenous people, 55 university students and 68 professional fishermen. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews complemented the data collection strategy. Results and conclusion: Among the main results, we can mention the opportunistic behavior in the group of collectors, sociocultural issues in the indigenous context, the perception of inequality of earnings among students, individual work and independence from the group, in this case of fishermen. It appears that understanding this multiplicity of factors involved in the decision not to cooperate can encourage new discussions regarding the formulation of policies aimed at preserving public goods, going beyond the mere use of punishment and reward based on inspection actions. Originality/value: The need to understand the context of these groups, and others equally benefiting from certain public goods, would be valuable to reduce non-cooperative behavior.

Identification of methodologies used for Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA): a literature review

The management of urban solid waste is becoming a challenge not only for associations of collectors, but also for society. The main activity of cooperatives is to collect and transform solid waste into materials that can be reintegrated into the process of other companies or organizations. The objective of this research was to identify methodologies used for Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA), as well as to identify where and how they were applied. The methodology used was the literature review. The SLCA surveys were used in several research areas, and no research was found related to recyclable material collectors. As suggestions for future work, we propose the development of an SLCA methodology that can be validated and applied in Cooperatives of Collectors of Recyclable Materials.

Developing critical thinking skills through gamification

Misinformation as well as the proliferation of fake news has been a problem during COVID-19 pandemic. This has affected many vulnerable communities in Brazil. The ability to understand and sort out pieces of reliable information and fake news has become a fundamental cognitive skill. In this study we report on the development of a serious game (a card-based role-playing game) using Brazilian folk heroes aimed to develop critical thinking skills to empower vulnerable communities affected by misinformation and fake news. Four groups located in the city of Goiânia (Brazil) participated in this research: one group of people experiencing homelessness; two groups of favela residents (one urban and one in the suburbs) and one group of recyclable material collectors from a cooperative. We gained entry and built trust with each of these groups and worked together for 10 months during the pandemic. We conducted participatory observations, individual interviews with each participant and discussed their daily interaction with information, specifically in the context of the covid-19 pandemic. The analyses of the observations and interview data gave us a glimpse of the communicative needs of the groups. Inserting players into a narrative where they can make decisions based on critical thinking and their own reflections on the pandemic was important for building knowledge and developing critical thinking in these communities. The nature of the game (interactive and cooperative) allowed participants to focus on problem-solving skills and group work. It encouraged them to use real-life knowledge and skills to solve the fictional problems presented by the narrative.

Percepção discente sobre a abordagem da temática resíduos sólidos em um Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Maranhão - IFMA

The objective was to demonstrate the environmental perception of students of a Technical Course Integrated to High School, from IFMA - Campus Coelho Neto in relation to solid waste and the problem involved mainly due to improper disposal and rampant consumption that leads to an exorbitant increase in waste generated. , as well as understanding how this topic has been addressed in the teaching process. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing 11 objective, multiple-choice questions, applied to 48 students from two classes of the 3rd year of the Technical Course in Informatics, online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach was quantitative and qualitative. For the analysis of the results, descriptive statistics were used. The results demonstrate that the students have knowledge about important points involving the issue of solid waste as a concept, selective collection, recycling, destination and correct final disposal of waste, importance of the work of collectors of recyclable materials, however, a good part does not carry out the separation of waste at school or at home, that is, they do not practice selective collection, thus demonstrating that it is necessary to develop a more effective and efficient process of school environmental awareness, in order to have the formation of critical individuals and that actually carry out effective actions in combating this environmental problem.

"The Perspective of Waste Pickers on Their Work: Incentives and Challenges in a City in a Developing Country"

Objective: The present research aimed to identify, from the perspective of the collectors of recyclable materials, the challenges and incentives of performing their work in a city of a developing country. Introduction: Waste generation is expected to grow significantly by 2050 in developing countries, making them the largest generators of MSW in the world. The Circular Economy is reflected as an alternative for dealing with the waste issue, since it seeks to promote the reduction of waste generation. For developing countries, the collectors of recyclable materials are important players in reinserting the materials into the production cycle. Brazil is an important player in this scenario, since it ranks among the five largest SUW generators in the world and has waste pickers as the majority responsible for waste recycling in the country. Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 67 of the 125 organized waste pickers recognized by the city government, whose answers were categorized and analyzed qualitatively with quantitative contribution coming from the correlation in three stages: incentives, challenges, and incentives and challenges. Results and Conclusion: The study concluded that, for the Brazilian city collectors, the main stimulus for carrying out their professional activities is income generation, followed by collaboration to cause a positive impact on the environment. And, as the main challenge, the non-separation followed by the inadequate disposal of waste, which compromises the quality of the materials and the collectors' health.

Performance of the Public Prosecutor in the Recycling of Solid Urban Waste: a Literature Review

Purpose: to carry out a diagnosis of textual fragments from the consultation in the Catalog of Theses and Dissertations of the Coordination for Higher Education Personnel Improvement (CAPES), in the thematic area of ​​the Public Ministry (MP) and collectors, seeking to identify how this relationship with the National Policy takes place of Solid Waste through the action of the MP. Method/design/approach: Law No. 12,305/2010 establishes the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS). The Ministerial Guidance Guide on the closure of dumps and the social and productive inclusion of recyclable material collectors to serve as a theoretical and practical framework for the performance of members of the Public Ministry. Results and conclusion: Bibliographic review through research in the Catalog of Theses and Dissertations of the Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination (CAPES) and in the Brazilian Open Data Portal, with the pre-selection of titles, abstracts and keywords of 09 (nine) documents, with analysis through IRAMUTEQ. Research implications: The software explained that the interconnection of the Public Ministry's actions between the documents is not strong, but they are very important for the consolidation of the selective collection of solid waste in the municipalities. Originality/value: identified that in order to consolidate solid waste management through the selective collection service in the municipalities, carried out by cooperatives/associations, it requires actions by institutions with the Public Ministry.

The use of recycling bags: An overview of collection policies and a spatial assessment of bag use

An increasing number of recycling programs worldwide now use single-use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bags in conjunction with recycling bins for the storage and collection of recyclable waste. Recycling bags may increase recycling yield and lower street litter; however, they also come with potentially large environmental and economic costs, including the increased use of plastics. To assess the scale of recycling bag use, we conducted a review of municipal management policies and by-laws across Ontario, the birthplace of modern blue box programs. Over 40% of the municipalities we investigated, collectively representing more than 7 million residents, allow the collection of recycling in bags. Subsequently, we conducted a follow-up study to estimate the number of recycling bags actually used by residents, an important metric for environmental managers, in a medium-sized Ontario city that collects recyclables in both bags and bins. Across three collection dates, 9.0 ± 1.3% of households used recycling bags, with a mean of 1.65 bags per house (mean households sampled = 1540). We estimate that approximately 160 households could use over 10,000 recycling bags per year (∼380 kg of plastic). Spatial analysis on the distribution of recycling bags showed some evidence of clustering among nearby neighbours (i.e. social influence); however, these results were inconsistent and highly variable across sampling dates. Our study provides a valuable policy overview and critical baseline data for waste managers weighing the benefits (e.g., litter reduction) and drawbacks (e.g., debagging costs and plastic waste) of recycling bags for the collection of recyclable material.

Impact of recycling on the feedstock sustainability of waste to energy plant in Kuala Lumpur

Abstract Malaysian government proposed to construct Waste to Energy (WtE) plant to solve the waste management problem in Kuala Lumpur. Recent implementation of compulsory separation at source (SAS) program might disrupt the sustainability of the waste supply. Sufficient feed rate of waste is required to achieve the designated temperature and autothermic combustion. Results of the study showed that, the annual average daily generation rate was reduced by 105 tonnes/day or 5.5% after the implementation of separation at source program. The estimated maximum recycling rate from the program was 13.8%. The annual average daily collection of recyclable materials was only about 1.3 tonnes/day, which might be due to illegal collection by recycling vendors, poor enforcement by the authority and selling of the recyclable materials by residents directly to vendors. 3 regression models were proposed to describe the overall correlation behaviour between waste generation and population density. The waste generation rate was forecasted to be in increasing trend after 2018 and reach 3072 tonnes/day or 1.4 kg/capita/day in 2043. Thus, the waste supply was expected to be sustainable even after the program implementation.

Assessment of the socio-economic profile and quality of life of recyclable material collectors of associations in the metropolitan region of grande vitória, es

The modernization was accompanied by social and urban problems. The accumulation of waste in the environment, social exclusion and the need to obtain a source of income justified the emergence of professional waste pickers. Despite it’s importance, these workers suffer discrimination and risky situations in their work. The aim of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic profile and quality of life of professional collectors from recycling associations in Grande Vitória metropolitan region, Espírito Santo, Brazil. This is an observational study carried out through the application of a socioeconomic form and a quality of life form (WHOQOL-bref). Of the 51 collectors interviewed, there was a predominance of male individuals over 51 years old, married, with high school education and their own residence. Although all respondents declare satisfaction with their work, 41.9% work with recycling due to lack of alternatives and 36.7% have another source of income. The overall and domain quality of life had scores close to or below seventy indicating regular quality of life. It can be concluded that despite the difficulties faced, these workers believe in the importance of the activity performed, feel satisfied with the occupation they perform and declare the desire to continue carrying out grooming.

Feminismo Comunitário do Sul : Lutas, territórios e res-existências das catadoras de lixo no município de Mossoró/RN/Brasil

T This article discusses the main struggles of recyclable material collectors in the city of Mossoro-RN, exposing from a theoretical and epistemological basis of black and community feminist order, ecofeminism, decolonial feminism, in the context of paradigmatic ruptures in Southern thought. The methodological anchorage came from the point of view of cognitive injustice (Santos, 2010), and the voice of the underlings (Spivack, 2012), from where we conducted field research and in-depth interviews for a long and intermittent period of time that spanned the year from 2009 to the year 2021. The research dialogue is centered on the role of Josefa Avelino, founder and current president of the Recycling for Life Community Association (ACREVI), but includes the association's recyclable material collectors, who are mostly black women, poor, peripheral, mothers, unemployed, owners of the home economy, who resist daily in the streets, living off the leftovers, in the shadows of the world. ode of capitalist production. In the end, we believe we can see how the subjective action of women can engender new political strategies in which the issue of productivity is related to another logic of the economy of life, an economy of solidarities.

Solid waste management and contemporary challenges

In the present study we analyze and discuss socioenvironmental impacts arising from inadequate management of urban solid waste in the Brazilian Discovery Coast, southern Bahia. We also discuss the challenges to be overcome to promote proper management, highlighting the need for social inclusion of waste pickers. Methodological procedures consisted of an applied and exploratory research, through a review of specialized scientific literature. We also used secondary data available at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and at the National Sanitation Information System, and applied a structured online questionnaire to municipal managers of public sanitation services. The cities under study only transfer the waste generated in urban centers to distant areas, in dumps, negatively affecting the environment and public health. There are neither management units nor incentive practices or support programs aimed at recyclable material collectors. Due to the weaknesses and the socioenvironmental, cultural, and historical importance of the area under study, the creation of public policies with broad popular participation is urgently needed to promote a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable development.

Recyclable material collectors and COVID-19 in Brazil: actions and reflections

Recyclable material collectors and COVID-19 in Brazil: actions and reflections

THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

With the emergence of new paradigms in social and labor relations, before the property or assets of a company are valued. However, today, in addition, it is also considered that knowledge (in innovations, technology, experience, trade secrets, among others) adds value to an institution. Therefore, this research seeks to detail the phenomenon of the knowledge economy, in job prospects, education, environment and innovation, in addition to relating this concept to the collection of recyclable materials. The problem question developed to initiate the reflections was: How is the knowledge economy related and positively influences work activities such as the collection of recyclable materials? The general objective, on the other hand, is to understand how knowledge, experience and innovations are configured as fundamental for the improvement of processes and work in industries and organizations, here, specifically, the recycling industry. The specific objectives are focused on: detailing the emergence of the concept of the “Knowledge Economy”; understand how the knowledge economy relates to aspects of education, labor and the environment; understand the concept of social innovation and how it applies to third sector organizations; and learn about the “Steps of knowledge” applied to the activity of recycling materials. The methodology was an analysis of the recurring literature related to the topic of the knowledge economy and the recycling industry. It is concluded, therefore, that the workers of this branch make up the large group of Brazilians in conditions of informality and social exclusion and rights, and that is why the discussion addressed here is so important. for believing that the condition of these recyclers continues to be highly undervalued, despite being so important, both for society and for the environment.