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Success Story: How Instituto Recicleiros is Transforming Recycling in Brazil

Recycling in Brazil has advanced significantly in recent years, and one of the key drivers of this transformation is the Instituto Recicleiros. As a non-profit organization, Recicleiros has stood out for its innovative approach, promoting technological and social solutions to enable an ethical recycling chain in Brazilian municipalities. The Role of Recycling in Combating Climate Change Recycling is not just a waste management solution; it is also a fundamental strategy for mitigating the impacts of climate change. Currently, around 4% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Brazil come from the solid waste sector. Of these, 64.1% result from improper waste disposal in open dumps, controlled landfills, and sanitary landfills. The adoption of sustainable and integrated waste management practices, such as recycling and the circular economy, can significantly reduce these emissions. Materials like plastic, glass, paper, metal, and cooking oil, when recycled, prevent the release of methane—a gas 82.5 times more impactful than carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 20-year period. The Recicleiros Model: Integration and Sustainability The major differentiator of Instituto Recicleiros is its ability to integrate various stakeholders in the recycling chain, including municipal governments, companies, and waste pickers, ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and economically viable system. Through the Recicleiros Cidades Program, the organization helps municipalities implement a structured selective collection and recycling system, from waste management to training public managers and waste pickers. With a focus on efficiency, the program provides technical support for the creation of Recyclable Material Processing Units (UPMRs). These units are designed to ensure safety, ergonomics, and efficiency in waste sorting and processing, providing better working conditions for waste pickers and increasing the profitability of recycling. The Urgency of Collective Action For recycling to have a significant impact, active participation from governments, industries, and citizens is essential. Instituto Recicleiros plays a crucial role in this context, acting as a bridge between municipalities, businesses, and waste pickers. The organization trains public managers to implement efficient recycling policies, supports the development of recycling cooperatives, and carries out socio-environmental education initiatives, fostering a more engaged and efficient recycling chain. Currently, Recicleiros is present in 14 municipalities across Brazil’s five regions, including cities such as Guaxupé (MG), Naviraí (MS), Caldas Novas (GO), Serra Talhada (PE), São José do Rio Pardo (SP), and Campo Largo (PR). Conclusion Instituto Recicleiros exemplifies how the combination of innovation, technology, and social inclusion can transform waste management in Brazil. Its circular approach not only promotes environmental sustainability but also generates a significant social impact, creating job opportunities and improving the quality of life for communities across the country. The future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. Recycling is not just an economic process; it is a powerful tool against climate change. Governments, businesses, and citizens all have an essential role in building an efficient and sustainable recycling system. If you want to learn more about Recicleiros’ initiatives or contribute to this transformation, visit the official website: https://recicleiros.org.br.Together, we can make recycling in Brazil a true success story! This article was written in collaboration with Janayna Rodrigues from Instituto Recicleiros.

Three Socially Responsible Mining Practices

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With research around climate change and the damage to our planet only becoming more and more shocking, it’s imperative that individuals and industries alike make a stand for promoting sustainable practices. The mining sector is one that is crucial to many businesses, pulling valuable resources from our planet and using them to support our infrastructures, technologies and daily activities. But mining irresponsibly can have devastating consequences for the environment, as well as for the human and wildlife populations in its surrounding areas. The degradation of natural resources in remote areas can be treacherous for the indigenous communities that live there, and it’s clear that more transparency and ethical practices are needed. Here, we explore three socially responsible mining practices. Protecting local communities Mining continues to be a leading industry for global wealth and trading, with the projected global growth in the industry looking to reach around $2775.5 billion by 2027. Some of the continued growth can be attributed to the introduction of green grants and sustainable financial incentives, with $450 billion being offered in 2022. But whilst this is a step in the right direction, small-scale mines in third-world countries need to do more to protect the local communities in which they operate. As much as 80% of small-scale mining falls outside of any legal framework or regulations, which causes a fatality rate of over 90% higher than mines in industrialised countries for its workers – which often includes women and children. Socially responsible mines must prioritise the health and wellbeing of the local communities, by providing access to fresh water and managing the health risks associated with mining. Transparency Water conservation is a pressing issue in the mining industry, as extractions can require large amounts of water, which means that this vital natural resource is drawn away from the people who depend on it to survive. A mine has a responsibility to ensure protection of the surrounding environment, people and wildlife, by providing access to fresh water and creating a zero-harm environment. Transparency for all mines is essential in order to ensure these standards are met. By closing down illegal mining operations and supporting those willing to pledge green initiatives, we can help reduce global damage from this industry. From reusing mining waste to using eco-friendly equipment, there’s numerous ways to modernise mining and reduce its social and environmental impact. Sustainable development of minerals The mining sector also has a responsibility to support the sustainable and responsible development of minerals used in battery technologies, such as lithium. With electric vehicles becoming sought after modes of transportation, lithium batteries are in high demand. With new technologies ever evolving, mining practices must do all they can to ensure responsible production of the minerals they require. Lithium is a non-renewable resource, and its extraction has similar consequences as that of fossil-fuel mining, with soil degradation, biodiversity loss and CO2 emissions being some of the largest issues. Whilst some companies are looking into the use of more common elements such as iron or silicon for batteries, others are pushing for more eco-friendly ways to extract lithium. As lithium batteries are currently providing a step away from the overmining of fossil fuels, the mining of these minerals is crucial. However, improving lithium extraction methods can help reduce the social and environmental costs of these operations. Working together It’s clear that a globally united approach is key to ensuring we mine responsibly. By taking innovative steps to ensure the extraction of valuable resources is as environmentally friendly as possible, we can help reduce the devastation to our planet from the mining industry. By providing eco-initiatives and modern practices, mines can work to serve and protect the local communities who live around and work in them. This article was written in collaboration with Anne Walton, Consultant | Researcher at Digital Content & Media

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