Solidarity economy and family dynamics of recyclable pickers: A view from the science, technology and society field (original) (raw)
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2018
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2017
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The Influence of Trust in the Constitution of a Brazilian Cooperative of Selective Waste Pickers
2016
Since the Brazilian public policy started to encourage solidarity economy in 2003, the number of projects and enterprises in this sector has steadily increased. Embeddedness has contributed to the understanding of organizational phenomena of solidarity economy and cooperatives. The aim of this study was to understand the influence of trust, from the perspective of Mark Granovetter’s social networks, on the constitution of a cooperative of urban recyclable waste pickers in southern Brazil between 1996 until early 2012, considered the foundation period. We used the qualitative method with a historical approach to social relationships and content analysis. Possible influences of trust were analysed based on the economic, social and political history of the cooperative. Among the main results, we highlight the existence of social relations before the constitution, defined by trust due to family identity and reputation built over time.
The inclusion of waste pickers in the recycling supply chain in a sustainable manner, i.e., with sufficient compensation, scale, and incentives to sell at least part of waste pickers' production directly to industry, represents a major challenge in terms of organization, management, and economic-financial sustainability. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) established a target date for the implementation of a selective collection system and prioritized the participation of cooperatives. The objective of this study is to propose a business model that enhances the economic benefits attained by waste pickers. Two methodologies were used: a qualitative approach based on interviews and action research. The methodology for socioeconomic analysis was qualitative and used semi-structured interviews as a research tool. The sample comprised four small cities representing the population. For the action research, visits were made to two cooperatives. In addition, meetings were held with the workers' representatives, benchmarking was performed, and a project proposal for a recyclable waste processing and selling facility (RPSF) was prepared. The proposal was based on the results of the analysis and on the law (PNRS). It is proposed that a processing and selling facility for recycled waste be created and that it be managed by a second-degree cooperative. It is estimated that the implementation of this proposal could increase the average income of waste pickers by 67.44%.