'If an integrated urban waste management system includes the informal recycling sector (IRS), there is a good chance that more solid waste is recycled' is common sense. However, informal integration brings additional social, environmental, and economic benefits, such as reduction of operational costs and environmental impacts of landfilling. Brazil is a global best practice example in terms of waste picker inclusion, and has received international recognition for its recycling levels. In addition to analysing the results of inclusive recycling approaches, this article evaluates a selection of the best Brazilian inclusive recycling practices and summaries and presents the resulting knowledge. The objective is to identify processes that enable the replication of the inclusion of the informal recycling sector model as part of municipal solid waste management. Qualitative and quantitative data have been collected in 25 Brazilian cities that have contracted waste pickers co-operatives for door-to-door selective collection of recyclables. Field data was collected in action research projects that worked with waste pickers co-operatives between 2006 and 2013. The Brazilian informal recycling sector integration model improves municipal solid waste recycling indicators: it shows an increase in the net tonness recycled, from 140 to 208 t month(-1), at a much lower cost per tonne than conventional selective collection systems. Inclusive systems show costs of US$35 per tonne of recyclables collected, well below the national average of US$195.26. This inclusive model improves the quality of collected material and the efficiency of municipal selective collection. It also diminishes the negative impacts of informal recycling, by reducing child labour, and by improving the conditions of work, occupational health and safety, and uncontrolled pollution. Although treating the Brazilian experience as a blueprint for transfer of experience in every case is unrealistic, the results suggest that this approach to informal sector integration can be considered among the global best practices for informal sector integration. The article closes with recommendations for deploying technology in other urban areas throughout the world.
Tese nova, sentimento antigo: "What a great title for my new book ... 'Things I've learned after it was too late'" (Snoopy, 1958) ii AGRADECIMENTOS Há tanto de tantos neste trabalho ... Ao Professor Celso não só por ter aceito orientar alguém desorganizada e passional, duas características incômodas e negativas para um percurso acadêmico, mas também pela atenção e paciência, minha eterna gratidão. À Roze, que se viu forçada a carregar parte das minhas atividades acadêmicas, por manter sempre o bom humor à demanda contínua de orientação informal, por me ensinar a adquirir algum senso prático e, principalmente, pela sua amizade. À Simone e a Tina pela parceria constante, por estarem sempre interessadas e dispostas a ouvir a mesma ladainha, por toda a ajuda e amizade. À amiga Tania, tão amiga, que se dispôs a ler, com cuidado, mais de cem páginas em tempo recorde. Aos amigos e amigas, que mantiveram os ouvidos críticos nesse longo percurso em redemoinho, sempre a fornecer alguma informação prestimosa e a desempenhar alguma tarefa, aqui listados sem qualquer ordem:
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