When Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in for his third term as president of Brazil on January 1, 2023, he invited a diverse group to accompany him as he ascended the ramp to his offices. Among them, two symbolised the giant step that the country was taking toward a more promising ecological future: Chief Raoni Metuktire, a 90-year-old indigenous leader who dedicated his life to the defence of the Amazon rainforest, and Aline Sousa, a 33-year-old collector of recyclable materials, an occupation pursued by her family for three generations. It was Sousa who placed the presidential sash on Lula, representing not only the Brazilian people but also a message of hope for a more sustainable government for the next four years.
While little noticed, collectors of recyclable materials are omnipresent in Brazil and other developing countries, and their work has long been a critical part of waste management, disposal, and recycling. Working individually, in families or groups, or as part of an association, they pick up materials from households, businesses, and other locations, separate and sell them to recycling firms. Because they increase the amount of materials that can be recycled, collectors are crucial agents in creating a more sustainable world.
