Assessment of the contribution of waste pickers integration initiatives in solid waste management for a just transition to the circular economy

• Grant number: 22/12729-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Valdir Schalch
• Grantee: Ana Maria Rodrigues Costa de Castro
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Waste pickers are important in solid waste management and the transition to a circular economy (CE), but they are not yet adequately recognized and remunerated. There are already efforts to change this situation, but there are failures in integration attempts to promote socio-productive inclusion and recycling, highlighting the need for research on the subject. Another gap identified is the lack of addressing social aspects in the discussions on CE, which could be mitigated by incorporating the issue of waste pickers, with the promotion of decent work and income, in a context of just transition. In this way, this research aims to evaluate the contribution of initiatives of waste pickers integration to waste management for the just transition to CE. A systematic literature review (SLR) will be carried out to identify initiatives to integrate waste pickers worldwide. Next, these initiatives will be assessed concerning their contribution to the just transition to CE. The evaluation will have four stages: the study of the results of SLR, application of the InteRa tool, interviews with representatives of waste pickers and evaluation by researchers specialized in CE in workshops and using the Delphi Method. In the end, a video and a booklet will be prepared to present the research results to the general population. Managers and public policymakers can use this information to promote better living and working conditions for waste pickers, and improve waste management, towards a fairer and more inclusive circular economy.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE CASTRO, ANA MARIA RODRIGUES COSTA; ZENTGRAF, LEA LORETTA; LUQUINE JR, CEZAR D.; METAFERIA, RIBKA; CONDE, DANIEL JUAN SIVIZACA. SUSTAINABLE INTERVENTIONS T O MANAGE RETAIL FOOD WASTE A SCOPING REVIEW. DETRITUS, v. 28, p. 14-pg., 2024-09-01. (21/02334-0, 22/12729-4)