Cooperativa gera trabalho, renda e melhores condições de vida aos catadores

Summary

The transcript discusses the challenges faced by a cooperative in Manaus that processes recyclables, focusing on the difficulties arising from market instability and the global economic crisis. The cooperative manages around 160 tons of stock in its warehouse, but struggles with a lack of demand, exacerbated by fluctuating prices and the market downturn. The cooperative works with local businesses, municipalities, and public-private partnerships to address issues related to waste management. The interview emphasizes the importance of recycling, the role of waste pickers, and the need for public involvement in recycling efforts to improve environmental outcomes and generate economic opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The cooperative currently has around 160 tons of material stored in a warehouse and an overall inventory of 550-600 tons, with no immediate market to sell the material.
• 😀 The material collection process varies from manual collection using small carts to larger vehicles such as trucks, depending on the area and logistics.
• 😀 The cooperative faces challenges in market fluctuations, especially after crises like the 2008 financial crisis, which saw a 75% drop in the value of recyclables.
• 😀 The price of recycling materials is influenced by global markets, as many materials (like aluminum and paper) are priced in dollars, and when the market falls, prices drop accordingly.
• 😀 Partnerships with companies are crucial to the cooperative's success, as these partnerships provide donations or low-cost purchases of recyclable materials, ensuring capital flow within the cooperative.
• 😀 The cooperative actively seeks partnerships from public, private, and institutional sectors to improve its operations and financial stability.
• 😀 There is a legal obligation under the National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12,305) for public entities to eradicate landfills and help cooperatives with proper infrastructure support for waste management.
• 😀 One of the challenges in recycling is the low demand for certain types of waste, such as domestic waste, which has a much lower market value and makes it difficult for the cooperative to generate revenue from it.
• 😀 The cooperative manages several Points of Voluntary Delivery (PEVs) around Manaus where citizens can drop off recyclable waste, which helps reduce waste in landfills and supports the cooperative's work.
• 😀 Social inclusion is a key focus for the cooperative, as it provides recognition and support to long-term waste pickers who have been working in the recycling industry for years without adequate compensation.

Q & A

What is the current stock situation at the cooperative?

The cooperative currently has around 160 tons of material in stock at their facility, with the total stock across their operations reaching 550-600 tons. However, there is no market for these materials at the moment.

How is the material collected by the cooperative?

Materials are collected in various ways, including manual collection using carts pushed by individuals and mechanical collection using medium to large trucks. The manual collection is mainly done in the central area of Manaus, where traffic is a challenge.

What happens once the materials arrive at the cooperative?

Once the materials arrive, they are weighed, then sorted, pressed, and packaged. After processing, the materials are sent to partner companies that buy the recycled products.

How did the 2008 financial crisis affect the cooperative?

The 2008 crisis caused a 75% drop in the value of recycled materials, which significantly affected the cooperative's financial situation. The cooperative is still struggling to recover to pre-crisis levels.

Why does the price of recycled materials fluctuate?

The price of recycled materials, especially aluminum and paper, is influenced by global market conditions, as they are often priced in USD. When the market falls, the price of recycled materials drops; when the market rises, the price increases.

What partnerships does the cooperative currently have?

The cooperative has a few partnerships, mainly with companies in the Manaus region. They are working with organizations like Porto Chibatão, EMA, and DANTEC, which either donate or sell materials at lower prices to sustain the cooperative.

What support does the cooperative receive from the public sector?

The cooperative receives minimal support from the public sector. The only public assistance comes from the local municipality, which helps with domestic waste collection. The cooperative is calling for greater public support in line with environmental laws.

What is the importance of the PEVs (Pontos de Entrega Voluntária)?

PEVs are voluntary drop-off points where the public can take recyclable materials. The cooperative manages several PEVs in Manaus, and they aim to encourage citizens to participate by leaving recyclables in these locations, which helps reduce waste and generate income for the cooperative.

What challenges does the cooperative face with domestic waste?

Domestic waste presents a challenge because it is harder to recycle, has lower demand in the market, and generates lower revenue. The cooperative struggles to place domestic recyclables in the market due to these factors.

How does the cooperative contribute to environmental and social issues?

The cooperative plays a vital role in environmental sustainability by reducing waste and preventing recyclables from going to landfills. Additionally, it promotes social inclusion by providing income to waste collectors, some of whom have been in the industry for over 25 years.