Recyclable Material Collectors Research Articles

SABERES DOS FUNCIONÁRIOS DO MUSEU EMILIO GOELDI SOBRE A RECICLAGEM DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS

O Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi instituiu em 2007 o Programa de Coleta Seletiva Solidária em cumprimento ao Decreto Lei (MPEG/CCTE, 2008). O programa tem como objetivo a separação seletiva dos resíduos sólidos recicláveis gerados pelas atividades administrativas e de pesquisa desenvolvidas pela instituição e sua correta destinação socioambiental, contribuindo para a inclusão socioeconômica dos catadores de matérias recicláveis, a fim de valorizar e fortalecer essa mão de obra por intermédio de associações e cooperativas além da gestão ecologica dos resíduos sólidos gerados na instituição. O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer quais coordenações do Museu Goeldi realizam a coleta seletiva e a reciclagem de seus resíduos sólidos. O projeto foi desenvolvido nas dependências do Museu Goeldi, somente no campus de pesquisa. Os dados foram coletados através da aplicação de questionário, previamente elaborado e foram analisados através da estatistica descritva. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que nem todas as coordenações estão realizando a coleta seletiva e reciclagem de seus resíduos, mostrando também um baixo conhecimento a respeito da reciclagem por parte dos funcionários, independentemente do nível de escolaridade. Dessa forma os resultados apresentados pelos funcionários direcionam suas

Economia social e solidária: experiências educativas com base na cooperação e suas contradições

The main theme of this study focuses on educational processes inherent to experiences of social and solidarity economy. The reflection emerges from the hypothesis that the social and solidarity economy constitutes, in the cooperation among individuals and collectives, privileged spaces of education. The processes of education and cooperation and social and solidarity economy, however, are not free from contradictions. In order to understand what we purpose, we first present the social situation from which the social and solidarity economy is derived. Later some experiences are described resulting from joint efforts made by collectors of recyclable materials. Based concrete experiences it was possible to reflect on the relationship between education and cooperation so that, at the end, we were able to approach the theme more critically, noticing limits, problems, possibilities, potentialities, contradictions and questionings. Methodologically the educational and work experiences of the researchers are important and represent the basis of participant observation. From this study we can say that individuals and collectives, when participating in solidarity- collective experiences, experience education through praxis, that is, the participants re-educate themselves in the role of protagonists, making the social and solidarity economy transcend the immediate borders. Keywords: social economy, solidarity economy, education, cooperation, recyclable materials collectors.

Integrated solid waste management in megacities

Rapid urbanization and industrialization, population growth and economic growth in developing countries make management of municipal solid waste more complex comparing with developed countries. Furthermore, the conventional municipal solid waste management approach often is reductionists, not tailored to handle complexity. Therefore, the need to a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach regarding the municipal solid waste management problems is increasing. The concept of integrated solid waste management is accepted for this aim all over the world. This paper analyzes the current situation as well as opportunities and challenges regarding municipal solid waste management in Isfahan according to the integrated solid waste management framework in six aspects: environmental, political/legal, institutional, socio-cultural, financial/economic, technical and performance aspects. Based on the results obtained in this analysis, the main suggestions for future integrated solid waste management of Isfahan are as i) promoting financial sustainability by taking the solid waste fee and reducing the expenses through the promoting source collection of recyclable materials, ii) improving compost quality and also marketing the compost products simultaneously, iii) promoting the private sector involvements throughout the municipal solid waste management system.

Riscos inerentes ao ambiente laboral de catadores de materiais recicláveis formais e informais

Neste trabalho objetivou-se analisar comparativamente os riscos ocupacionais, nos quais estão submetidos os catadores de materiais recicláveis que atuam em associação e na informalidade, em Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. A pesquisa participante foi realizada de março de 2012 a dezembro de 2013, com 11 catadores de materiais recicláveis, sendo sete profissionais organizados em Associação, a ARENSA (Associação de Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis da Comunidade Nossa Senhora Aparecida) e quatro que trabalham na informalidade. Os grupos escolhidos residem no mesmo bairro, Tambor. Os riscos ocupacionais averiguados foram os químicos, físicos, biológicos e ergonômicos. Verificou-se que os catadores de materiais recicláveis estão submetidos diariamente, em suas rotinas de trabalho, a diferentes riscos ocupacionais, dentre eles, exposição a ruídos, vibração, radiação solar, alteração da temperatura, contato direto e indireto com materiais químicos, como solventes e líquidos que vazam de pilhas e baterias, exposição a organismos patogênicos contidos em resíduos orgânicos, sanitários e de serviço de saúde. Realizam esforço físico intenso durante a coleta e transporte de materiais recicláveis, numa jornada de trabalho que ultrapassa a oito horas diárias. No entanto, os riscos são intensificados entre os catadores de materiais recicláveis informais. Dentre outros fatores, falta de formação, por não receberem os resíduos selecionados e higienizados na fonte geradora, mantendo contato direto com os demais tipos de resíduos (orgânicos, sanitários e de serviço de saúde), agravando-se pela ausência de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPI) durante atividades laborais. Conclui-se que existe relação entre a organização de catadores de materiais recicláveis em associação e a diminuição dos riscos inerentes ao exercício da profissão, quando comparado aos informais. No entanto, os catadores de materiais recicláveis associados não se encontram isentos destes riscos, requerendo políticas públicas mais efetivas, especialmente relacionadas à Gestão Integrada de Resíduos Sólidos.

AS CONDIÇÕES DE TRABALHO DOS CATADORES DE MATERIAIS RECICLÁVEIS EM ASSOCIAÇÃO DE MAMBORÊ-PR

Data of Entrepreneurial Commitment for Recycling - CEMPRE (2012) show that 32.3% of brazilian municipalities have a program, project or action of garbage collection activity, while 42.7% of the cities there is no initiatives and 25% have projects under development. In this context, the collectors of recyclable materials perform a very important job in the urban cleaning system, working on the collection of materials for recycling, so that they are not sent to open dumps or even shortening the life of landfills, besides providing the generation of employment and income for this segment of the population of these municipalities. The works consists of collecting, transporting, segregating, bottle and sell the materials next to a recycling plant. However, this activity is, normally, carried out informally, preventing access to a number of labor rights. Given this reality, the present study aimed to investigate the working conditions of waste pickers who work in the county of Mambore-PR. The completion of the work occurred from the qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with all pickers organized in association, preserving anonymity. Held literature, site visits and photographic record where taken in order to know the stages of solid waste management in which these individuals are involved. The data collected showed the absence of the state as the appreciation of the work done by collectors. Because it is the only alternative source of income and survival, these workers end up neglecting the risks and getting used the mundane tasks of the profession.

Riscos potenciais à saúde de catadores de materiais recicláveis

Waste pickers have an important role in contributing to the growth and development environment. Analyzing their per-ceptions on issues that relate to health is necessary since their representations determine positive or negative attitudes against their health and quality of life. The study aimed to analyze risk factors related to the health of waste pickers. This is a qualitative study, descriptive and exploratory, conducted in 2013 with 10 pickers, of both genders, in a cooperative in Jequie-BA. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the technique of Thematic Content Analysis Categorical. Emerged three categories: perception of recyclable material collectors on the disease process, percep-tions about work accidents, and health risks related to their activity. Results indicate that collectors perceive health as a necessary tool to get work as a requirement to generate livelihood. In the exercise of the activity there was noted physical risks, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and work accident. The risks were seen as a condition of return for subsistence. Public policies in education and health need to be reviewed and appropriate to the reality of this population, influencing the management of their health care.

A variable neighborhood search for the multi-period collection of recyclable materials

We consider an approach for scheduling the multi-period collection of recyclable materials. Citizens can deposit glass and paper for recycling in small cubes located at several collection points. The cubes are emptied by a vehicle that carries two containers and the material is transported to two treatment facilities. We investigate how the scheduling of emptying and transportation should be done in order to minimize the operation cost, while providing a high service level and ensuring that capacity constraints are not violated. We develop a heuristic solution method for solving the daily planning problem with uncertain accretion rate for materials by considering a rolling time horizon of a few days. We apply a construction heuristic in the first period and re-optimize the solution every subsequent period with a variable neighborhood search. Computational experiments are conducted on real life data.

МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ СЦЕНАРІЇВ РОЗВИТКУ ЛАНЦЮГІВ СТВОРЕННЯ ВАРТОСТІ ТОВАРІВ НА ОСНОВІ ЗБАЛАНСОВАНОЇ СИСТЕМИ ПОКАЗНИКІВ ТА РЕФЕРЕНТНОЇ МОДЕЛІ ОПИСУ ПРОЦЕСІВ ЛАНЦЮГА ПОСТАЧАННЯ (SCOR)

The authors reviewed multicriteria problem of development scenario selection the value chain. Scenarios were constructed on the basis of the options innovations introduced in the procurement, production, delivery, return, sales. For procurement process we considered business partner choice based on equal criteria and the system of equivalence criteria combined AHP and TOPSIS. Among the possible variants of the production process was considered manufacturing in stock or in customer order plan. The options analyzed building supply orders were ordering with the supplier stocks, the production of the supplier, the supplier to plan, transportation with trucks or trains. To reverse the chain we have analyzed opportunities of purchasing secondary raw materials from suppliers or organization of own collection of recyclable materials. In demand chain we considered investigated stimulation in any order which, in order not less than specified, the system of incentives and penalties, absence of incentives. We have measured value chain performance in the areas of partnership, personnel, business processes, finance, integral indicator of external influence.

Towards increased recycling of household waste: Documenting cascading effects and material efficiency of commingled recyclables and biowaste collection

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management remains a challenge, even in Europe where several countries now possess capacity to treat all arising MSW, while others still rely on unsustainable disposal pathways. In the former, strategies to reach higher recycling levels are affecting existing waste-to-energy (WtE) treatment infrastructure, by inducing additional overcapacity and this in turn rebounds as pressure on the waste and recyclable materials markets. This study addresses such situations by documenting the effects, in terms of resource recovery, global warming potential (GWP) and cumulative energy demand (CED), of a transition from a self-sufficient waste management system based on minimal separate collection and efficient WtE, towards a system with extended separate collection of recyclable materials and biowaste. In doing so, it tackles key questions: (1) whether recycling and biological treatment are environmentally better compared to highly efficient WtE, and (2) what are the implications of overcapacity-related cascading effects, namely waste import, when included in the comparison of alternative waste management systems. System changes, such as the implementation of kerbside separate collection of recyclable materials were found to significantly increase material recovery, besides leading to substantial GWP and CED savings in comparison to the WtE-based system. Bio-waste separate collection contributed with additional savings when co-digested with manure, and even more significantly when considering future renewable energy background systems reflecting the benefits induced by the flexible use of biogas. Given the current liberalization of trade in combustible waste in Europe, waste landfilling was identified as a short-to-medium-term European-wide waste management marginal reacting to overcapacity effects induced by the implementation of increased recycling strategies. When waste import and, consequently, avoided landfilling were included in the system boundary, additional savings of up to 700 kg CO2 eq. and 16 GJ eq. of primary energy per tonne of imported waste were established. Conditions, such as energy recovery efficiency, and thresholds beyond which import-related savings potentially turn into GWP burdens were also determined.

Recyclable Materials Collectors or Environmental Agents?: A Self-Assessment Exercise

This work presents results of a questionnaire which aimed to assess the profile of collectors ofrecyclable materials of ACIMAR – Association of Recyclable Materials Collectors of Itajubá, which is locatedin Itajubá, southern of Minas Gerais state. It is part of the program ‘Creation of a network of collectors ofrecyclable materials in the south of Minas Gerais’, funded by the Ministry of Education and developed by thePopular Cooperatives Technological Incubator of the Federal University of Itajubá (INTECOOP/UNIFEI), alongwith the Mayorship of Itajubá and the University Center of Itajubá (FEPI). The methodology was based on a fieldcampaign based on a questionnaire, which was used to interview 31 associates of ACIMAR. Queries were basedon: personal data; previous jobs; formal education; familiar structure; the motivations to become a recyclablematerial picker; the society’s perception on their work; previous capacitations; working time; financial gains;positive and negative aspects of their work, group relationships and life perspectives. Results suggest that 87%declared to have worked on other jobs, while 58% declared that these jobs were formal. Despite the socialsecurity aspects, they decided to work as recyclable material pickers, because there were no bosses. Genderdistribution is quite homogeneous, with 52% male and 48% female, what indicates an equilibrium not seen inother laboral sectors in Brazil. Some 32% are between 18 and 30 years old, while 29% are between 41 and 50years old. Around 74% declared to have incomplete formal education up to the fundamental level. Individualmonthly income are above R$ 600,00 (around US$ 270,00) for 56%. To all of them, their role is very importantas it helps in the city waste management and improves environmental conditions, while 62% considered beingcalled as environmental agents rather than collectors of recyclable materials, what suggests a quest for a newprofessional identity.

ANÁLISE DE ESTRATÉGIAS PARA A LOGÍSTICA REVERSA: UM ESTUDO DE CASOS SOBRE AS SANDÁLIAS HAVAIANAS EM SÃO PAULO (SP) E JOÃO PESSOA (PB).

Advances in technology and marketing concepts have been contributing in reducing the life cycle of products and to their rapid discard. In the other hand, new sustainable strategies seek to close the product cycle in the market through reverse logistics. The present study aimed to examine the consumer’s willingness to return consumed products through two strategies for collecting, using Havaianas sandals as a case study: direct return or selective disposal. A total of 807 questionnaires were administered in two large Brazilian cities, João Pessoa (390) and São Paulo (417), and recycling cooperatives were visited. In total, about 80% reported using the sandal. In São Paulo city, among the almost 73% that were willing to return the sandals, 34% would do it without any financial encouragement. In João Pessoa, among the 85% that would return the sandals, about 43% would not need any encouragement. In São Paulo, the potential for selective collection (60%) is superior to direct voluntary return (40%), and in João Pessoa both strategies are equivalent. We concluded that: both direct voluntary return and selective devolution are viable strategies, but a pilot project seems to be necessary to better evaluate the different strategies; cooperatives of collectors of recyclable materials may be a good alternative as a collaboration to collect the urban solid waste; the shared responsibility between society, government and companies is helpful for closing the cycle of materials; and the reverse logistic may play an important role in the business competitiveness.

Emotion, desire and reverie in the consumption practices from the recyclable material collectors

Emotion, desire and reverie in the consumption practices from the recyclable material collectors

Dispositivos para uma escuta clínica do sofrimento no trabalho dos catadores de materiais recicláveis

Through presenting the practice of psychodynamic clinic of cooperation with recyclable material collectors, the following medical devices are discussed: Analysis of demand, elaboration and per laboring, building affective ties, interpretation, training of the clinical professional, and supervision. These devices differ from the methodological proposal of Dejours because there is a more articulated approach to psychoanalysis. The devices application throughout the sessions favored the mobilization of a workers group that began to discuss work rules and coexistence. The speech of the collectors about feelings that they were experiencing in work organization and the careful listening of the clinical professional researcher supported by supervisions over six months caused the passage from discussion time to resolution. The practice of this clinic marks a methodological difference between the French and the Brazilians’ psychodynamic procedures. In this sense, it is intended to broaden the discussion on the method presented by this study including reformulations based on this debate. Keywords: psychodynamic clinic, medical devices, qualified listening.

O Teatro Fórum como dispositivo de discussão da violência contra a mulher

Este artigo apresenta resultados de uma pesquisa que utilizou o Teatro do(a) Oprimido(a), na modalidade do Teatro Fórum, para promover discussões e reflexões sobre a violência contra a mulher, através de um esquete sobre o tema apresentado para um grupo de catadoras(es) de material reciclável de duas cidades do interior paulista. No Teatro Fórum, os(as) espectadores(as) transformam-se em espectatores/atrizes e, pela via da ação, ajudam a encontrar uma solução para o conflito encenado. Os resultados da pesquisa sugerem que o Teatro do(a) Oprimido(a) possa ser usado como uma importante ferramenta metodológica de pesquisa. No campo específico da Psicologia, esse dispositivo teatral aparece como um instrumento alternativo para trabalhar com pesquisas participativas que envolvem diversas temáticas e questões da coletividade e que produzem rupturas em práticas e discursos hegemônicos.

Collection of recyclables from cubes – A case study

Collection of recyclable materials is a major part of reverse logistics and an important issue in sustainable logistics. In this paper we consider a case study where paper and glass are collected from recycling cubes and transported to a treatment facility and processed for reuse. We show how outsourcing the planning and transportation of this service may result in conflicts of interest and unsustainable solutions. Finally, we suggest an alternative payment structure which can lead to a common goal, overall financial sustainability, and an improved financial situation for both the public company and the logistics provider.

Understanding of Socially Vulnerable Individuals on Oral Health and Access to Dentist: A Brazilian Study

Social vulnerability experienced by collectors of recyclable materials has a strong influence on their understanding and confrontations health. This research aimed to explore the relationship between oral health and perception of subjects in a context of social disadvantage, in order to support concrete alternatives for action on (oral) health conference. This was a qualitative study carried out with representatives of an autonomous community of Brazilian collectors of recyclable materials. Data were collected through interviews and focus group treated with the technique of qualitative analysis. Respondents showed perceptions of etiology and care practices on oral health promoted beliefs and values collectively instituted in a social risk territory. Also, they associate the quality of their oral health and their difficulty of public access to the context of social vulnerability. This study suggests the adoption of protective, educational and interceptive in oral health practice in order to improve and enable the oral health status of this population.

Methodology for Specification of Three-Phase Induction Motors Applied to Drive Vehicles Used by Collectors of Recyclable Materials

This paper presents a methodology for specification of three phase induction motors applied to the traction of vehicles used by recyclable material collectors. In this methodology, it is used a load cell and a GPS to acquire the force and speed imposed by the collectors during actual work journeys. With the adopted approach, it is possible to preview the most efficient motor capable to supply the work cycles demanded by the collectors, avoiding so reduction in motor lifetime by over temperature, an highest electrical energy efficiency and also avoiding the battery bank oversizing. The methodology is expandable to specify electric motors dedicated to substitute the human force in other vehicles whose the human is the primary power source, such as the charts applied by civil construction workers, dockers, farmers or even vehicles for personal transportation like bicycles and scooters. It is highlighted the approach taken to describe the vehicle model referred to the motor axis through vector control and a reduced number of sensors and tests for parameters extraction.

<b>Evaluation of a municipal program of selective collection in the context of the national policy of solid waste</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v35i4.16095

The selective collection of domestic solid waste occurs in a fragmented and disorganized way in most parts of Brazil, through the anonymous and precarious work of informal garbage collectors. The Brazilian law 12.305/2010 (BRASIL, 2010) meets the social need for a regulatory milestone of this waste management and makes it clear the intention to include recylable material collectors. This paper aimed to evaluate the implementation of a program of selective collection of domestic solid waste with the segregation at origin and the participation of recyclable material collectors in the assistance established by PNRS (National Policy for Solid Waste). The research strategy used was a case study of the program of selective waste collection in the city of Londrina, Parana State, Brazil. The project included document analysis, visits to the sorting units and collection areas in order to monitor the data collection process. The adverse aspects of the program were concentrated on technological and health dimensions, and the positive aspects were concentrated on environmental, social, cultural, economic and political dimensions. This article provides important data and indicators to the authorities responsible for managing solid waste, leading to reflection on the actions to be implemented, and also instruction on investments and planning actions.

How does the structure of social networks affect the performance of its actors? – A case study of recyclable materials collectors in the Brazilian context

The creation of partnership networks between the private sector, the government, and organized civil society has called the attention of researchers in the field of strategy, mainly the association between the creation of partnerships and the organizational performance. In this sense, organizational networks studies emerge through a series of questionings, among which is the understanding of how the structure of networks affects the performance of its actors. Thus, the objective of this paper is to identify the relation between a network structure and its actors’ performance. The chosen context is a recyclable material network in the city of Curitiba, in the Brazilian state of Parana, between 2007 and 2011. Through the study, it was possible to identify the actors in the network during a period of time (from 65 actors in 2007 to 102 in 2011), as well as its structural dynamics, and the association between the network motivational variables and performance (adjusted income), along with its persistence over time.

The precarious livelihood in waste dumps: a report on food insecurity and hunger among recyclable waste collectors

OBJECTIVE: This study estimated the prevalence of food insecurity, social vulnerability factors, and health risks in recyclable material collectors who work at the dump. METHODS: A census was performed of the collectors' families living on five blocks near the dump of the Complementary Industry and Supply Sector, Brasília, Federal District, known as Cidade Estrutural. Sociodemographic data about sanitation, social programs, housing, labor, and food security were collected during home interviews. RESULTS: A total of 204 households composed of 835 residents and 286 collectors was studied. Ninety-three percent of the households had piped water, 65% had sanitation and almost all had electricity. But the presence of rats and cockroaches occurred in 90% of the households. A third of the workers reported being sick, but 44% of the families were not visited by community health workers because not all blocks were covered. Based on the food insecurity scale and the reporting of eating foods picked from the garbage by 55% of the respondents, a total of 75% of the households were exposed to food insecurity. According to the criteria of the Bolsa Família Program, 52% of the households were eligible, but not all were enrolled: the undercoverage was 44%. The need of other inclusion criteria for social programs, in addition to income, to identify populations surviving precariously in extreme poverty, hunger, and demeaning work is discussed. CONCLUSION: The social and environmental vulnerability of this population, subject to hunger and disease, is serious. The Brasil sem Miséria (Brazil without Poverty) program will not be capable of eliminating poverty while these subhuman conditions remain unresolved.