National Solid Waste Policy: Analyzing the Collective and Diffuse Rights of Recyclable Materials Collectors

Abstract

This article scrutinizes the National Policy on Solid Waste (PNRS) - Law 12.305/2010 regarding the collective and diffuse rights of collectors of recyclable materials. More than a decade since the enactment of the PNRS, the rights bestowed by this legislation have yet to be actualized. In its analysis, the article highlights public-interest civil actions pertaining to the cities of São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and Brasília (DF). The hypothetical-deductive method was employed within a qualitative framework, utilizing both bibliographic and documentary research tools. It is concluded that, due to governmental neglect, there is an imperative for the ongoing involvement of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office to advocate for and safeguard the rights of this worker category, which are pivotal in the advancement of a sustainable environment.