Inclusion of grassroots recycling organizations for solid waste in local public policies: Case study in Southern Brazil

Recycling is essential for the final destination of solid waste. Still, its effectiveness is limited by the lack of awareness in society and effective public policies, and by the lack of recognition of the value of the social category of recyclable material collectors. Despite the low recycling rates in Brazil, the Southern region, especially Rio Grande do Sul (RS), stands out for its significant number of waste management instruments and grassroots recycling organizations (GROs). Furthermore, there is a large gap in how GROs are recognized and supported by local public policies in terms of action. Therefore, this study sought to identify how municipalities in RS support GROs regarding inclusion and/or appreciation of collectors in local public policies. To this end, an electronic questionnaire was applied to 80 GROs, and public documents and institutional websites were analyzed. The results indicate that the GROs are highly vulnerable, with 42.5% in a poor situation and 37.5% in a fair situation, with a lack of support regulations. In addition, the relevance of formalizing into cooperatives and acting in networks as a strategy for institutional strengthening, access to rights, and participation in decision-making processes. These findings are pioneering in their approach to analyzing how organizations are served at the state level, and can therefore support more effective and inclusive public policies, in addition to encouraging new studies on the subject. • 80 GROs were evaluated on the inclusion and appreciation of collectors. • Most organizations were highly vulnerable with 42.5% in a poor situation. • Regulations for promoting and supporting the organizations are a gap.