Recyclable Material Collectors Research Articles

HOW DOES THE STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AFFECTTHE PERFORMANCE OF ITS ACTORS? A study in Brazil

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, the studies of organizational networks 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 survey consists in identifying the relation between the network structure, measured by network indicators and income generation, of collectors of recyclable materials, called carrinheiros, participating in organizations which take part in the Recyclable Materials Network Organization of the city of Curitiba in the state of Parana in Brazil, between 2007 and 2011. As a result, it was possible to identify the actors in the network during the period in question (from 65 actors in 2007 to 102 in 2011), as well as the structural dynamics of a network, and the association between the variable and the performance (Adjusted Income), and the variables of motivation in question, along with its persistence over time.

A comparison of two models for dealing with urban solid waste: Management by contract and management by public–private partnership

In work, we compared two models for dealing with urban solid waste in Brazil, namely, management by contract and management by public–private partnership. Management by contract, which is widely used by the public sector (municipalities) for urban solid waste collection and disposal and for acquiring goods and services for periods not greater than 60 months, is governed by Federal Law 8.666/93. Management by public–private partnership is governed by Federal Law 11.079/04 for contracts worth more than US$11,000,000 and involves costs for the private partner and public partner. The financial return for the private partner must be clearly delineated and the contract should last from 5 to 35 years. Management by public–private partnership that involves the management of municipal solid waste is very recent in Brazil. For this reason, the comparison between the two forms of management of municipal solid waste (management by contract and management by public–private partnership) described in this work is unprecedented in this country. Both of these models are used in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. For this study, information was gathered through semi-structured interviews with public works managers in São Bernardo do Campo, with members of an Association of Recyclable Material Collectors and with managers of a company contracted by the São Bernardo do Campo city hall, and also by researching public documents provided by the city hall. The interviews with the managers of the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, the Association and the company were held in the headquarters of each institution. The documents analyzed, such as the plan for dealing with municipal solid waste, contracts and bids were made available electronically. Analysis of the results indicated that management by a public–private partnership was more advantageous for dealing with urban solid waste than management by contract since the former provided a strong selective collection program, reduced the amount of solid waste sent to sanitary embankments, led to the recovery an area of land previously degraded by the incorrect disposal of urban solid waste and stimulated the installation of an energy recovery unit.

SEPARAÇÃO DE MATERIAIS RECICLÁVEIS: PANORAMA NO BRASIL E INCENTIVOS À PRÁTICA

One of the challenges generated by the Brazilian Solid Waste Policy, which entered into force in Brazil in August 2010, is the adherence to the selective collection of municipal waste. Data from government institutions and scientific research have shown that millions of tons of municipal solid waste per year still have improper destination in the country and only 14% of cities operate structured selective collection of recyclable material programs. Even in cities that rely on selective waste collection programs, the amount of recyclable materials despised is still great and the low participation of the population in the separation of materials contributes to this scenario. The present study aims to portray the situation of separation and collection of recyclable materials in Brazil and present the results of studies that identified factors that motivate the practices of separation and the barriers in several countries.

Public Service Innovation and Evaluation Indicators

This paper analyzes innovation in public services with emphasis on the application of evaluation indicators. It considers the clean development mechanism (CDM) projects developed in the Bandeirantes and Sao Joao landfills, both located in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. There are two methodological procedures. First, the analysis is based on a multi-agent innovation approach. Second, there is an adaptation of the social carbon methodology (SCM) constructing indicators to assess the social and environmental outcome of landfill CDM projects in order to identify opportunities for innovations in services related to the solid waste sector. The application of the multi-agent model for innovation in public services in the solid waste sector makes it possible to bring together the political actors, service organizations and consumers / users. Equally pertinent is the adaptation of the application of SCM, defining indicators to understand the particularities of the service in the context researched, with regard to seeking opportunities for building new ways to solve specific problems through new institutional and organizational arrangements, involving municipal governments, utility companies, communities surrounding the landfills, collectors of recyclable materials, organized bodies of civil society; and with regard to establishing parameters to guide the objectives of innovation in the public sector.

Tornar-se catador: sofrimento ético-político e potência de ação

The present paper shows a socio-historic analysis about feelings, affectivities with the intention to support a reflection about ethic-political suffering that recyclable material collector feel while working. This research was achieved through of participant observation and semi-structured interviews with five recyclable material collectors. The data analysis reveals the most frequent emotions are shame and humiliation, which specially come from the discrimination and prejudice. On the other hand, being a collector can also be a source of joy. On one side, for an ethical reason, that is to the possibility of the person to regain his own dignity to insert himself and to be socially recognized as honest worker, distinct from beggars and thieves. On the other side, for having been given the opportunity of organizing and mobilizing themselves together in the battle for better conditions of work and life.

Rede de catadores de materiais recicláveis: perspectiva para a organização da autogestão

The paper presents the structure of social relations of recyclable material collectors in six municipalities in the state of Para. It uses Social Network Analysis (ARS) as the analytical methodology. The theoretical basis were the theses on the strength of weak ties by Granovetter (1973). The data were generated in a semi-open questionnaire, organized in the SPSS 16.0 and the UCINET 6.109/NetDraw 2.28softwares. Other information, derived from free interviews and observations, were used for complementation. The results show that the predominant relationships were fragile and emotional, with low-density relations at work, which makes the social and productive organization of collectors harder, prevents its self-management, reduces the potential that the material collectionbusiness and its processing represent, weakening the collector as the main agent. Key-Words: Social networks, Collectors, Organization, Self-management.

FIGHTING POVERTY AND PROTECTING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT: THE REFUSE COLLECTORS OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

SUMMARYThis paper reviews and documents a unique approach to poverty reduction targeting a segment of urban poor in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: the collectors of recyclable materials discarded by urban residences and businesses, along with their refuse. The approach is unique for Brazil because it combines assorted policy objectives at different governmental levels, two socially/security valued, two environmentally valued and one economically valued. The paper specifically seeks to (a) determine the current profile of collectors, both social and economic; (b) assess the current state of play of the dwindling collectors cooperatives programme, including perceptions of its performance by different stakeholders; (c) describe the current practices and players in the collection of recyclables, with its associated implications; (d) reconstruct the role of key players with a focus on the operational policies and administration of the programme by municipal departments; (e) assess the current priority among social and environmental objectives of the waste collection programme of the municipal government; (f) draw conclusions and recommendations on policies and administration for such programmes, to improve the social outcome for the collectors while still achieving the associated environmental objectives; and (g) draw some comparisons with other Latin American countries that have engaged in similar programmes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ANÁLISE DA PERCEPÇÃO AMBIENTAL E SENSIBILIZAÇÃO DE EDUCANDOS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL DE UMA ESCOLA PÚBLICA PARA REALIZAÇÃO DA COLETA SELETIVA, CAMPINA GRANDE - PB

This study aimed to analyze the disposal of solid waste generated in the Elementary School OurLady of the Rosary and environmental awareness among students of Youth and Adults (EJA) inrelation to the problem of Solid Waste. The teaching unit was selected because of its location andthe fact that it has available to collectors for the implementation of selective collection in theirrespective colors: yellow, green, red and blue, but they were stranded in the schoolyard as theseparation of solid waste was not occurring in a satisfactory manner, a fact that leads to theunderstanding that students, educators and employees of the school unit probably did not knowand / or were not sensitive to the importance of the collection. After data analysis and verificationof the lack of waste management in the teaching unit, was promoted moments of awareness, suchas lectures and workshops on the issue of solid waste, in order for students, educators andemployees know the difference between trash and solid waste, landfill and landfill, emphasizingthe importance of selective collection and the work of collectors of recyclable materials to reducepollution of the environment and reduction of natural resource extraction, as well as incomegeneration.

ANÁLISE DA PERCEPÇÃO AMBIENTAL E SENSIBILIZAÇÃO DE EDUCANDOS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL DE UMA ESCOLA PÚBLICA PARA REALIZAÇÃO DA COLETA SELETIVA, CAMPINA GRANDE - PB

This study aimed to analyze the disposal of solid waste generated in the Elementary School OurLady of the Rosary and environmental awareness among students of Youth and Adults (EJA) inrelation to the problem of Solid Waste. The teaching unit was selected because of its location andthe fact that it has available to collectors for the implementation of selective collection in theirrespective colors: yellow, green, red and blue, but they were stranded in the schoolyard as theseparation of solid waste was not occurring in a satisfactory manner, a fact that leads to theunderstanding that students, educators and employees of the school unit probably did not knowand / or were not sensitive to the importance of the collection. After data analysis and verificationof the lack of waste management in the teaching unit, was promoted moments of awareness, suchas lectures and workshops on the issue of solid waste, in order for students, educators andemployees know the difference between trash and solid waste, landfill and landfill, emphasizingthe importance of selective collection and the work of collectors of recyclable materials to reducepollution of the environment and reduction of natural resource extraction, as well as incomegeneration.

O catador de materiais recicláveis: um agente ambiental

A atividade de catador de material reciclável configura-se como um meio de inclusão social na medida em que gera recursos para compra de alguns bens de consumo. O objetivo neste ensaio é apresentar aspectos sobre o universo de trabalho dos catadores e, com isso, gerar reflexões sobre ambiente, recursos e trabalho. Na tarefa de coleta, separação, manuseio e transmutação do lixo em mercadoria, encontramos o modo de sobrevivência de um novo agente, que, ao se expor a diversos riscos de acidentes e de saúde, também se encontra socialmente vulnerável. Não possui qualquer tipo de apoio dos governos, está à mercê da própria sorte em caso de acidentes, adoecimento, oferta de material e rendimento. Faz-se necessário, portanto, que os profissionais atuantes nas unidades de saúde e do serviço social (re)conheçam as fragilidades do trabalho na catação do lixo e implementem ações de proteção.

Reduction of Occupational Risks Associated with the Informal Collection of Recyclable Materials in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Recyclable material collectors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, walk long distances while carrying heavy loads in simple wheat bags. This action research study aims at reducing adverse health effects caused by their occupation. A pilot project with three collectors was established and an onsite risk assessment and individual interviews were performed. Accepted European risk evaluation methods and expert knowledge were applied to find out the demand for improvements. Working equipment was designed with participation of the collectors. During the process the methodological approach had to be revised to increase participation of the target group in order to reach the goal to develop sustainable, accepted safety interventions. A continuous process of field testing and adjustments leads to the final solution. Recyclable collectors face musculoskeletal burdens due to carrying activities as well as back injuries caused by sharp items and leaking hazardous substances. Acknowledged risk assessment methods were a means to find out the demand for safety interventions. For the design of accepted solutions appropriate for the specific work environment and needs of the workers practical, participatory approaches involving the target group were successful. Combining these two methods lead to the development of simple backpacks that can alleviate physical burdens of recyclable collectors and other persons carrying heavy loads. Staying flexible to adjust strategies is crucial for successful active research projects which aim at contributing to development and have to rely on target group participation to obtain accepted solutions.

Innovation in services and sustainable development. Carbon Market on Landfills and Public Service Innovation

The present research aims to examine how the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects for landfills can generate service innovation that contribute to the improvement of the urban solid waste management in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, considering two landfills CDM projects. There are two methodological procedures. First, there is an adaptation of the social carbon methodology (SCM), constructing indicators to assess the social and environmental outcomes of these projects. Second, the analysis is based on an innovation multi-agent approach. Partial results collaborate to define sustainability indicators for the understanding of the peculiarities of the service offered in the researched context, as in regard to opportunities to build new ways to solve particular problems through new institutional and organizational arrangements, involving municipal governments, utilities companies, communities surrounding of the landfills, recyclable material collectors, organized civil society as well as in regard to the establishment of parameters to guide the objectives of the public sector innovation.JEL Codes: Q56, Q57, R11, R53

The municipal solid waste and the quality of life of collectors of recyclable materials in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais

The generation growing and diversified of Municipal Solid Waste is configured as an environmental problem, economic and social deterioration, especially, by application of inappropriate management of them. Faced with this urban context, the research in development presents as specific objective assessment of the quality of life of the gatherers of recyclable materials were active in the city of Juiz de Fora, in the brazilian state of Minas Gerais. In addition, the objective is, still, the recognition of the activity of sorting performed by "scavengers" in order to maximize the reduction, reuse and recycling energy and material waste daily. The proposed methodology is based on the application of the questionnaire Word Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100), prepared by the World Health Organization, in order to value the quality of life of the gatherers of recyclable materials, involved, even in educational workshops in order to discuss and organize strategies of health care and scouting to the basement to public policies.

Spirituality in the Assessment of Quality of Life of Recyclable Material Collectors: Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To assess spirituality in quality of life of collectors of recyclable materials and investigate the influence of possible associated factors. Method: observational cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 with 96 people, aged 18-74 years. It was applied the Portuguese version of the questionnaire of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-100). Statistical test ANOVA analysis of variance. Evaluated the significance level alpha = 0.05. Results: In the field of spirituality, only the variable number of children had any significance (p = 0.018), meaning that the best assessments were of those with more than three children. The external comparison with a similar study found similarities between the scores. It was proven that the collectors express perceptions in the field of spirituality, similar to the comparison group. Conclusion: it is necessary to examine the question further through additional investigations, considering the complexity of factors involved in assessing the quality of life and spirituality.Descriptors: Spirituality. Quality of life. Workres. Collectors.Received: 11/09/2011 Approved: 03/16/2012

Ergonomic and organizational analysis of an association of collectors of recyclable waste

The managerial difficulties encountered by an Association of Recyclable Materials Collectors to organize and ensure the perpetuation of his work gave rise to this research. In order to overcome the difficulties encountered with regard to accounting, organizational and ergonomic work, we used a methodology capable of providing a greater interaction between researchers and collectors, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and the perpetuation of the techniques used. Improvements were seen in relation to screening, storage and organization of work.

A inclusão de catadores em programas de coleta seletiva: da agenda local à nacional

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo discutir como a inclusão social e produtiva de catadores de materiais recicláveis, antes presente apenas na agenda de políticas públicas locais, alcançou a agenda governamental nacional. Recorre-se à discussão teórica de múltiplos fluxos, de Kingdon (1995), apontando suas limitações para a análise do fenômeno investigado. Os procedimentos metodológicos adotados foram: revisão bibliográfica, observação participante em eventos, levantamento de dados secundários, conversas espontâneas e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Observa-se que, em certa medida, houve a junção dos três fluxos abordados por Kingdon (1995), a saber, um problema que ganhou reconhecimento público, um ambiente político favorável à entrada de questões sociais na agenda e uma alternativa que se apresentou viável para a solução do problema - a inclusão de catadores em programas de coleta seletiva -, mas que não responde completamente as dimensões do problema. Nesse processo, organizações da sociedade civil tiveram um papel fundamental. No entanto, o modelo de múltiplos fluxos não apenas desconsidera um processo de formação de agenda de "baixo para cima", como também deixa de lado a discussão sobre a influência que atores extrainstitucionais, como organizações da sociedade civil, possam exercer nesse processo. Desse modo, o modelo não dá conta de explicar as complexas relações entre Estado e sociedade civil na realidade brasileira.

CO 2 emission factors for waste incineration: Influence from source separation of recyclable materials

CO 2-loads from combustible waste are important inputs for national CO 2 inventories and life-cycle assessments (LCA). CO 2 emissions from waste incinerators are often expressed by emission factors in kg fossil CO 2 emitted per GJ energy content of the waste. Various studies have shown considerable variations between emission factors for different incinerators, but the background for these variations has not been thoroughly examined. One important reason may be variations in collection of recyclable materials as source separation alters the composition of the residual waste incinerated. The objective of this study was to quantify the importance of source separation for determination of emission factors for incineration of residual household waste. This was done by mimicking various source separation scenarios and based on waste composition data calculating resulting emission factors for residual waste routed to incineration. Emission factors ranged from 27 to 40 kg CO 2/GJ. The results appeared most sensitive towards variations in waste composition and water content. Recycling rates and lower heating values could not be used as simple indicators of the resulting emission factors for residual household waste; however the fossil carbon ratio of the waste after source separation was found to be appropriately correlated with the emission factor. Based on the results, it is recommended to carefully evaluate the source separation and collection systems behind reported literature values when comparing different studies and when using the values for environmental assessment purposes.

Voices from the street: meanings of work and employment relations of collectors of recyclable materials

O artigo apresenta um estudo acerca do trabalho e das relações de trabalho dos catadores de materiais recicláveis de rua em Bom Jesus do Itabapoana - RJ. Representa uma discussão da informalidade e das estratégias de sobrevivência (LAUTIER, 1993; 1994) pouco tratadas em campos profissionais das políticas sociais como a assistência social. Para tanto, trabalha com pesquisa bibliográfica e de campo, por meio de entrevistas direcionadas a 10 catadores. Seus resultados demonstram que estes trabalhadores dão continuidade às antigas formas de sobrevivência e marginalidade, visto que não possuem condições de responderem às atuais exigências (elevada escolaridade, qualificação...) do mercado de trabalho.

Caracterização e avaliação de processos de seleção de resíduos sólidos urbanos por meio da técnica de mapeamento

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da aplicação da técnica de mapeamento para a caracterização e avaliação dos processos de seleção de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) desenvolvidos nas instalações de uma associação de catadores de materiais recicláveis. O trabalho utiliza métodos qualitativos por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica e estudo de caso. O levantamento de dados contou com observação, entrevista e questionário. Dentre as técnicas disponíveis para o mapeamento, foram utilizados o SIPOC, o mapa de processo e o mapofluxograma. O mapeamento de processos como ferramenta gerencial possibilitou a visualização dos processos em diferentes escalas, o relacionamento entre as atividades e o cruzamento de fluxo (transporte) dentro do galpão, sendo esse um dos principais gargalos de produção.

Wasting Time? Recycling Incentives in Urban Taiwan and Japan

What makes recycling work? We study the factors driving household waste disposal and recycling in 18 cities in Taiwan and Japan in order to understand the impact of alternative waste management incentives. We show that this depends on the effect of distinct policies on the relative costs of the main alternative disposal methods: recycling, disposal to landfill and illegal dumping. The willingness both to recycle and to dispose to landfill depends on the relative costs of the waste collection regime, and these are dominated by the time cost of alternative disposal methods. The higher the frequency of waste collection, the less recycling and the more disposal to landfill there will be. This is because frequent collection reduces the marginal time-cost of disposal to landfill. Curbside collection of recyclable material, and the frequency of that collection, has a similar effect on the recycling rate. Although direct incentives, such as unit pricing are important in the waste disposal decision, recycling depends primarily on management of the time-costs it involves.