Reciclar pelo Brasil: Coca-Cola Brasil and Cervejaria Ambev's collaborative initiative empowering waste pickers and boosting recycling in Brazil
Reciclar pelo Brasil, established in 2017 by Coca-Cola Brasil and Cervejaria Ambev, is a corporate and collaborative initiative to support selective collection and recycling in alignment with the National Solid Waste Policy in Brazil. The platform works in collaboration with waste pickers' cooperatives across the country to enhance their working conditions, increase efficiency, productivity, and elevate the volumes of recyclable materials for recycling, thereby augmenting the income of involved waste pickers.
Increasing package recycling rates
Reciclar pelo Brasil adopted a comprehensive strategy focused on increasing packaging recycling rates. The platform implemented a range of actions requiring constant monitoring and development to facilitate large-scale improvements and capacity expansion across the nation.
The initiative invested in new technical developments for recycling and products, creating value along the recycling chain. By developing products with higher added value, Reciclar pelo Brasil aimed to enhance the raw material's valorization in the recycling process, benefiting the entire purchase and separation chain. This approach fostered a growing interest in packaging materials for cooperatives and recycling businesses.
The initiative applied a social technology, a methodology that encompassed developments for cooperatives and collectors' associations. It provided quick and measurable results to support cooperatives, especially those facing social vulnerability and infrastructural challenges.
Expansion of recycling activities throughout Brazil
Reciclar pelo Brasil, in its three years of existence, achieved notable impacts. The initiative successfully empowered waste pickers' cooperatives, improving their working conditions and enhancing productivity. As a result, recycling rates increased, contributing to the overall progress of Brazil's recycling efforts.
The strategic and equitable expansion of recycling activities throughout Brazil led to a broader reach of the initiative's positive effects. Waste pickers' cooperatives benefited from legal and accounting regularization, better administrative and financial management, and improved operational and production practices.
Looking forward
Reciclar pelo Brasil continues to monitor and develop the recycling efforts in Brazil. The initiative's commitment to enhancing the working conditions of waste pickers' cooperatives, along with the ongoing investment in technical developments, drives the sustainable growth of recycling rates and positively impacts the entire recycling ecosystem in the country. By fostering collaborations and partnerships, Reciclar pelo Brasil aims to create even more value and lasting impact on Brazil's recycling landscape, further contributing to the nation's sustainable future.
Location
Brazil
Companies involved
Coca-Cola, ANCAT, Ambev, Vigor, BRF, Embaré
Tetra Pak contacts
Vivian.Guerreiro@tetrapak.com
Valeria.Michel@tetrapak.com
