Research assesses conditions of recycling cooperatives in the city of São Paulo
Six are the main problems faced by cooperatives and groups of workers.
Lack of training and organization of labor, precarious working conditions of cooperatives, inefficiency in collection and sorting, lack of value for recycled material and information asymmetry in the marketing network. These were the main problems diagnosed by a survey by Braskem, a company that produces thermoplastic resins and biopolymers, carried out in partnership with the Business Commitment to Recycling (CEMPRE) regarding the conditions of cooperatives and groups of workers that deal with collection and selection of recyclable materials in the city of São Paulo.
The objective of the research was precisely to point out the main problems within recycling cooperatives, so that it is possible to know which points should be improved – with the help of investments from the private sector.
Fifty groups participated in the São Paulo survey. Of this total, 82% of the initiatives are registered and half of the groups emerged between 2000 and 2004. The high dependency was also characterized by the survey. 90% of cooperatives have some kind of partnership with NGOs, public authorities or private initiative.
Of the total groups, only five have their own space. Most carry out their activities in spaces provided, mainly by the government. It is possible to say that the sorting centers have better conditions in terms of physical facilities and available equipment, compared to other groups.
The survey also reveals the information that in 72% of the enterprises the workload is 8 hours, in 57% of the cases the workers' remuneration is between R$ 400.00 and R$ 800.00, and in 14 %, less than R$ 400.00.
Other cities in the states of São Paulo, Alagoas and Bahia also participated in the survey. It is possible to obtain more details through the address: www.braskem.com.br/reciclagem.
eCycle
The eCycle Recycling Stations section has more than six thousand recycling, donation and collection sites for everyday materials, many of which are cooperatives. Check which post is closest to you!
