Recicleiros

Recycling in Brazil is often seen as an economically unviable activity. The expectation that selling post-consumer recyclable (PCR) materials can cover production costs is unrealistic. This has led to recycling being seen as an activity for vulnerable populations who engage in it out of necessity rather than choice.

That is a perception that Recicleiros, an Alliance-funded NGO, is working to change. It has been at the forefront of developing systemic solutions for recycling in Brazil for nearly two decades, by exploring new business models for waste management.

Its Cidades programme works by offering technical expertise, connections, and investments to local municipalities. By convening the actors in the plastic value chain, the project helps local authorities createinclusive, high impact, and economically viable recycling systems at speed and scale. Cities must apply to be involved, passing a rigorous qualification process that takes into account their infrastructure, resources, and capability, as well as their long-term commitment.

In 2024, Recicleiros focused on building sustainable and viable sorting centres, which are the first link in the recycling value chain. These centres recover materials from household waste and municipal operations, bringing them into the market for recycling. However, the project faced significant challenges in making these operations economically viable. The cost of maintaining these centres, including paying minimum wages and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) are high, while the prices of recyclable materials have remained stagnant.

To address these challenges, Recicleiros has been working on establishing contracts with municipalities to pay for recycling services. The project’s economic model is based on shared responsibility—municipalities manage collection and transportation, while the private sector handles processing and disposal. Despite these efforts, many municipalities struggle to allocate the necessary budget for these services, leading to operational difficulties.

Since 2019, Recicleiros has established 14 sorting centres in Brazil's small and medium-sized cities in partnership with the Alliance, introducing recycling programmes to these communities for the first time.

The programme, which started as a pilot in Ceará, has developed into a tried-and-tested waste management model. The organisation intends to grow this model to reach 60 cities throughout Brazil, with goals to generate 3,000 new jobs and process a minimum of 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually.

Recicleiros works closely with communities, local municipalities, and businesses to establish efficient waste collection and recycling systems. Part of this is a strong focus on integrating informal waste pickers into formal recycling processes, empowering them by formalising their roles and offering better working conditions. This includes providing waste pickers with training, technical support, and resources.

In November 2024, Recicleiros launched the Waste Worker Development Centre (Núcleo de Desenvolvimento do Catador), establishing the Recicleiros Waste Worker Academy (Academia do Catador), a free online learning platform that offers technical and professional training paths for informal waste pickers.

Other initiatives include the Recyclable Material Sorting Centre (Unidadede Processamento de Materiais Recicláveis), which operates as a social enterprise that focuses on the recycling of post-consumer solid waste. The centre also conducts educational programmes to raise awareness of recycling best practices, including educating local households, schools, businesses, and municipalities about the importance of proper waste sorting and segregation to provide cleaner waste streams for recycling. This work is based on the philosophy that recycling is an act of belonging—a tangible step towards a cleaner neighbourhood and society that participants can take an active part in.

The “Recycling Doesn’t Take a Vacation” campaign spread that message to schools, streets, and cooperatives in the cities where Recicleiros operates. A related pilot project launched last year called Recycling the Future focused on environmental education and awareness in municipal schools, in partnership with city halls and education and environment departments.

Another way Recicleiros has spread the message is through a popular jingle that is played by its pick-up trucks. The rhythmic, upbeat tune usesitems of rubbish as percussion instruments and includes a message aboutrecycling. It has proved an effective means of engaging local people.

Despite funding challenges, the project has made progress building sustainable sorting centres and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Its future success relies on continued cooperation between municipalities and the private sector to ensure fair pricing and adequate funding for recycling.

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