Brazilian Observatory for inclusive and solidary recycling

In 2007, the National Sanitation Policy recognizes waste pickers as agents of the sanitation system and the 2010 National Solid Waste Policy details the role of these agents. In this process a diverse set of researchers —-academics, technicians, public managers, WPs —felt the need for a space for reflection and discussion on actions to promote the inclusion of waste pickers on solid waste management systems, organizing an inclusive and solidary waste recycling. The Observatory for Inclusive and Solidarity Recycling (ORIS) was constituted in 2012. It is organized at a turning point in the WP history, when large-scale challenges arise, given the complexity of the urban waste issues and the economic interests that surround it. This paper focuses on ORIS contribution for Brazilian inclusive and solidary recycling scenario. In order to consider recycling as a socio-technical alternative into the integrated urban waste management systems (IWMS) that has been design on the State and Municipal Solid Residues Planes, it is fundamental not only a coalition of social forces, but the production of knowledge that supports it. Thus, the way in which WPs and recyclers' associations will be inserted in IWMS is a central issue, under which a number of specific demands and problems arise. ORIS role is collectively to propose systematization of practical knowledge and organize action-researches to solve WPs demands of technical knowledge and innovation through direct specific actions and directions. ORIS, a locus with characteristics of social and research observatory, constitutes by representatives of WP and solidarity networks formed by WP institutions, supports technicians and NGOs, universities and political forces sympathetic to the inclusive waste recycling cause and their consequent environmental issues. As one of ORIS way of action, there have been organized four open national seminars and three international ones, where important issues regard recycling management, such as alternatives to incineration, circular economy and zero waste were discussed: