Economia circular: a inclusão de uma cooperativa de reciclagem de Curitiba no desenvolvimento territorial sustentável

Abstract

The development of modern society in large urban centers is tied to a consumption system that is fraught with territorial, political, and socio-environmental problems, among which Brazilian social inequality puts a portion of society in an exclusionary scenario. In response, families engage in the collection and sorting of recyclable materials and can be conceptualized as agents of sustainable practices. However, they are invisible and not recognized for their work. As Brazil is considered the fourth largest generator of solid waste in the world, the importance of strategic actions from public, private, and civil society spheres aimed at improving conditions in the management and valorization of this waste is evident. In this sense, this research discusses the social and environmental relevance of waste picker cooperatives as fundamental pieces in sustainable urban development. This research also presents as its central theme the proposal to analyze possibilities for strengthening a recycling cooperative based on formal and informal relationships established in the recycling chain in a particular territory, in light of Actor-Network Theory and the principles of Circular Economy. To this end, the specific objectives of this research were: (1) to describe the structure of public policies focused on the management of urban solid waste in the city of Curitiba; (2) to investigate the interface between the territorial organization and sustainable principles of the recycling cooperative; (3) to analyze Circular Economy practices for sustainable development in the strengthening of new work and income configurations for recyclable material pickers. To achieve these objectives, the research was characterized methodologically by non-participant observations, questionnaires, and the use of structured and semi-structured interviews with a cooperative in Curitiba, located in the Boqueirão neighborhood. In addition, the research analyzed bibliographical and documentary data from primary and secondary sources of other registered waste picker organizations in the Department of Environment. Therefore, this thesis characterized the cooperative under study that composes the recycling chain of the region, highlighting its socio-spatial dynamics and the social and commercial relationships that arise through a network of actors in social and commercial collaborations. It is concluded that the relationships established between the cooperative and other sectors of society contribute to the socioeconomic development of the organization, as well as the territory around the cooperative can provide direct relationships that facilitate the process without interference in the value chain of the waste impacted by intermediary companies in the trade and pricing of materials.