Collector Profession Project: a new concept for waste
Adequate treatment of solid urban waste and recycling are part of the set of themes on sustainable development, with recyclable material collectors being essential agents in the management process of these materials.
This social segment is composed of people who find in this activity, historically based on informal relationships, a possible alternative for survival through work. Victims of prejudice and on the margins of labor rights, collectors suffer exploitation, especially in the commercialization of materials.
The trajectory of the University of Cruz Alta with the collectors of recyclable materials begins in this context, in 2006, from the university extension, with financial support from several institutions.
In addition to the achievements in terms of job and income generation, the Profissão Catador Project has made countless advances in social and environmental awareness in the community of Cruz Alta and the region. Numerous activities have been developed for this purpose since the Project’s constitution, such as workshops in schools, participation in meetings of important institutions in society and in private companies and public organizations, activities in residential condominiums, events for the community (mateadas, fairs, among others).
In addition, the recognition and respect of the community in relation to recycling, the inclusion of the families of the collectors in social and educational programs and the eradication of child labor are great victories of the work developed.
The social technology implemented by the project, which starts from the notion of self-management and contemplates two instances, training for work and for political formation, materialized a new scenario for the collectors of Cruz Alta.
The conquests that highlight this innovative work are the sponsorships of Petrobras, CNPQ, Fapergs, Senaes, Rede de Parceira Social do Rio Grande do Sul and other institutions of national reach, as well as the various awards: FINEP Award for Innovation 2012 – Social Technology; Development and Strengthening of the City Award by ASCAMAJA; Bank of Brazil Foundation Award for Social Technology in 2013 and 2015; Ecology Pioneers Award 2015 by the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul; Sinpro Educação Award RS 2017 Recognition of Sustainability Award by PGQP RS 2018.
