The problem – In South America, as well as in many other parts of the world, informal waste collectors (also called recicladores) serve an essential role in municipal solid waste management: recovery of reusable raw materials from the waste stream. Without the work of informal recyclers, much of the non-biodegradable waste discarded from homes and businesses would end up contributing to the unsustainable and unrelenting congesting of landfills, and to the attendant obligation for manufacturers to deplete natural resources to produce packaging from virgin materials. However; despite the valuable service they provide, informal recyclers in many countries are viewed as nuisances and denied the stability and protection that would come from being officially recognized as business enterprises that are able to formally bid on city waste collection contracts. 

The way forward – By connecting the network of recyclers with resources to improve their governance and logistics the collectives were empowered to improve the perception of their accountability and dependability. The work done on this project was a part of a larger strategic effort to help provide a pathway to formalization for informal groups so they could be included in the market for their services and for the raw materials they collected, and consequently, receive higher wages.

Contribution – Project management of efforts in multiple countries through regular calls, meetings, and site visits; budget review; oversight of efforts to improve operational logistics in order to be able to forecast supply of recovered materials and share the information with buyers; promoting reuse of raw materials by connecting recycler leaders with private-sector manufacturers.