The project aims to create the next generation of waste cooperatives in Rio de Janeiro through partnership working, capacity building, and the improvement of facilities.

August, 2024 December, 2026

Funders

  • Alliance to End Plastic Waste

Partners

  • Coopama
  • Coop Futuro
  • Coopideal
  • Cooperverde
  • Recria Valor
  • Coop Bandeirantes
  • Cootrabom
  • Coop PRO Mar
  • Ecco Ponto

About the project

In the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro where waste cooperatives operate, there is little to no municipal waste recycling facilities available to businesses and households. Through the investment of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance), this expanded project involves close working between waste cooperatives, businesses and condominium residents. 

BVRio is supporting each of the cooperatives involved to professionalise and improve their working practices, including digitising records through the KOLEKT waste management app. The cooperatives will also be assisted to purchase or hire trucks and containers, sorting and pressing machinery and safety equipment, as well as incorporate new business processes such as digital record-keeping of waste recovery, invoicing, Health and Safety and Human Resources procedures.

Expected Impact

300+ informal waste pickers provided with additional income and training

5000+ metric tons of plastic waste to be collected and recycled

100 large waste generators receiving collection of recyclable materials

5000+ households receiving collection of recyclable materials

Technology

The KOLEKT app will be rolled-out for use by all cooperatives involved in the project to register and monitor all collected materials. KOLEKT uses images and GPS in order to verify the inputs of the cooperatives.

KOLEKT creates traceability of waste along the whole supply chain and then maps all stakeholders involved in the process. It records data in a format that allows for more efficient monitoring, validation, verification and certification of waste recovery and recycling against recognised standards. Materials are registered in the app by weight, type and condition, and the date and place of collection is recorded along with photographs, so that actors in the whole collection and recycling chain can see the materials on offer, or requested, near them.

We are very grateful to be included in this project and to benefit from the support of BVRio and the Alliance. We currently have only one truck, and its maintenance costs are high. Purchasing a new, better truck will greatly reduce the cooperative’s expenses, increase turnover, boost our productivity, and improve support for our members.”

Ana Carla, Coopideal

About the Alliance to End Plastic Waste

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance) is a global non-profit organisation with the mission to end plastic waste in the environment. Its focus is implementing projects and investing in innovative solutions to develop or enhance waste management systems. ­­­­As of June 2022, its portfolio comprises over 50 projects across 30 countries worldwide.  

Tackling plastic waste is a complex challenge that requires collective action. Since 2019, the Alliance has convened a global network of industry leaders across the plastics value chain, together with government, civil society, entrepreneurs, and communities to work towards advancing a circular economy for plastic waste. 

For more information, visit: www.endplasticwaste.org

Contact the team

SDG Alignment