In June, BVRio completed an 18-month-long pilot project in partnership with PREVENT Waste Alliance that benefited ten Brazilian waste picker cooperatives and a Mexican network of collectors through the issuance of circular credits.

The Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) has approved the state bill 1.424/16, by Congressman Carlos Minc (PSB), to create the State Payment Program by Environmental Recycling Services (PSAR).

Iara Meiri de Melo Moura Silva, 40, a mother of two, began working in the recycling market over 20 years ago with her mother, who came to Rio de Janeiro from the North East aged 17 years old. Iara is one of the female leaders in waste picker cooperatives in the State of Rio de Janeiro, in the Beija Flor Cooperative. Behind her love for her profession, Iara talks about the welcoming and learning space that exists in the cooperatives.

The recycling market in Rio de Janeiro is not for “amateurs”. And those in charge of the management of many of the existing cooperatives are female entrepreneurs. In the context of the covid pandemic, in particular, it is necessary to adapt, try out new processes, and take risks to generate more business. Read below one more story of our series of inspiring women who fight for the valorisation of the environmental services provided by waste collectors.

BVRio features a series of three original stories of female leaders and social entrepreneurs, who promote valorisation of waste pickers' work in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Their stories tell us how the role of waste pickers is fundamental and complex, as they know recyclable materials like no one else.

Circular Action Hub, in partnership with PREVENT Waste Alliance, developed the project "Plastic Credits for inclusive and transparent circularity", which will benefit around 300 waste pickers until June 2022. The project will be conducted by an international consortium and BVRio is the organisation responsible for the activities in Brazil and Mexico. Overall, Circular Credits will be generated for about 1,500 tons of plastic waste collected, sorted and reintroduced in the recycling chain.

Hundreds of thousands of informal waste management sector workers including waste pickers have been affected by covid-19 across the world. How can we help?