Brazil Recycling Co-ops ♻️
When you think about Brazil, you might think about lots of things.
Two of those, that usually people do not consider, are how the country is doing against challenges such as plastic pollution and socio-economic inequality.
In Brazil recycling cooperatives, known locally as Catadores, transform discarded plastic into high-value products, including eco-friendly shoes. For instance, PET bottles are collected, cleaned, and processed into 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.
These initiatives not only reduce environmental harm but also create economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
Catador in the street city of Sao Paulo
The role of Catadores 🌱
Brazil generates over 11 million tons of plastic waste annually, much of which risks polluting waterways and ecosystems. Think about it. That is really a lot!
Plastic pollution, by country- 2020 data
The Catadores step in to collect, sort, and bring the material. Once the bales of bottles leave the cooperative, they make their way to a plastic manufacturing factory where they are washed and ground into flakes before being processed into small pellets.
Veja, a sustainable footwear brand born in 2004, is a key player in this circular economy system as they sourced the equivalent of 6 million PET bottles from these cooperatives in 2023 alone.
Veja’s use of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester showcases how waste materials can become the backbone of sustainable manufacturing.
Spinning the recycled plastic into post-consumer recycled polyester
In fact, compared to virgin materials, recycled polyester production reduces greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and reliance on fossil fuels—key metrics for assessing climate finance returns.
The social impact is equally compelling.
The Catadores, primarily from underserved communities, gain stable incomes and improved working conditions through these partnerships.
A model for scalable climate solutions
The success of Brazil’s recycling cooperatives highlights the untapped potential of circular economies in achieving sustainability goals. By addressing plastic waste at its source and integrating it into global supply chains, these initiatives prove that profitability and environmental responsibility can coexist.
For climate-conscious investors, the implications are clear.
Supporting companies such as Veja offers not only attractive ESG metrics but also access to emerging markets poised for growth in sustainable manufacturing. Brands like Veja exemplify how strategic partnerships can amplify impact.
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