Page 38 - U4SSC Simple ways to be smart

The solution

In 2016, the national government, declared recyclers the subject of special constitutional protection
and instigated actions to formalise their jobs through the associations that were already recycling
waste collected by the public cleaning service. To accomplish this, recyclers have a period of 5
years, during which they must progressively comply with administrative, financial, technical, and
commercial obligations imposed by the decree.

The associations register with the Superintendency of Public and Domiciliary Services (SPDS),
which provides support to address technical, organizational, administrative, and business issues.
The SPDS monitors whether the associations are fulfilling their obligations through a web-based
platform, the Unified System of Information of Domiciliary Public Services (USI).

Results

The implementation of this decree has encouraged entrepreneurship through the creation of
more associations, as well as improving social inclusion. Recyclers have joined the formal sector
through the associations for the recovery of usable material. Their work has been dignified, working
conditions have improved, as well as their quality of life.

In 2016, the recycling organizations were made up of approximately 100 workers. By 2019, 162
were reported, an increase of more than 60%. This has led to better organized collection and
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recovery activities and consequently to an increase in the amount of material recovered. Between
2011 and 2016, 2173 tons was recovered, while between 2017 and 2019, this rose to 7430 tons,
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a 70% increase in just three years.

Keys to success

This initiative has succeeded through strong government support and because informal recyclers
were recognised as part of the solution.

The budget for the formalization and operation of the associations comes from different sources.
Rates have been established by the government for the commercial purchase of the recovered
material, according to weight. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the municipality
support the initiative, through the recycling fund. Revenues also cover environmental awareness
and education activities for residents to improve separation at the source.

To improve performance in collection tasks, some of these associations are in search of software
tools that facilitate scheduling of routes, monitoring of collection points and weight by type of
material collected in real-time. So far, no tool has been implemented by any association.

26 U4SSC: Simple ways to be smart