Tetra Pak empowers autonomous waste pickers in Brazil through the Cataki Project
Recognising the importance of autonomous waste pickers in the Brazilian recycling chain and knowing that they have not regularly collected carton packages in the past, we collaborated with the Cataki Project. This initiative provides assistance and benefits to autonomous waste pickers and strives to promote sustainability. Our joint effort aimed to increase carton package recycling while simultaneously improving waste pickers' livelihoods.
Increase collection and improve the livelihoods
The low participation of autonomous waste pickers in carton package collection in Brazil posed challenges in the collection of cartons for recycling and genuinely understanding the social reality of the entire collection chain. Waste pickers also faced difficulties sustaining themselves and their families due to limited financial incomes.
These two challenges were placed at the centre of our approach in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte through supporting the Cataki Project.
Connecting autonomous waste pickers and waste pickers cooperatives
The Cataki project was crucial in connecting autonomous waste pickers with waste pickers cooperatives and providing financial incentives by increasing the value of collected materials, specifically used beverage cartons (UBC). Participating waste pickers were paid per kilo of UBC collected and delivered to the cooperatives, while the cooperatives received an identical bonus for the service. Besides that, autonomous waste pickers are entitled to food cards, personal protective equipment, and other support items that help improve their working and living conditions. The project covered two cities and, since the beginning, has involved seven waste pickers cooperatives and almost four hundred autonomous waste pickers.
Better income conditions and improved recycling
Tetra Pak’s collaboration with waste pickers through the Cataki Project is already in the third year of execution, and more than 100 tonnes of carton packages were sent to recyclers, contributing to increased recycling rates in Brazil. Through information, education and financial incentives, the initiative includes autonomous waste pickers in the used beverage carton recycling chain and integrates waste pickers while promoting better income conditions.
The project is supported by the Cataki app, which streamlines the collection process and improves working conditions for waste pickers, reducing working hours and promoting well-being. It also profoundly impacted waste pickers' perception of their profession. They reported increased awareness of the social and environmental importance of their job and experienced renewed pride in their work. Moreover, over 57% of app users improved their incomes by receiving more collection requests and selling more waste material, increasing financial stability.
