Challenges and prospects for sorting and disposing of household solid waste: a case study of a recycling cooperative in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Marcella Villela Carvalho; Ellen Francine Rodrigues; Valdir Schalch; Murilo Daniel de Mello Innocentini; Lisandro Simão

doi:10.5585/2025.26076

Authors

Marcella Villela Carvalho University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1916-4382
Ellen Francine Rodrigues University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Biotechnology Unit, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1289-9688
Valdir Schalch University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8699-7224
Murilo Daniel de Mello Innocentini University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5396-7798
Lisandro Simão University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3323-5063

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/2025.26076

Keywords:

recycling, solid waste, recycling cooperatives, waste pickers

Abstract

Introduction: This article discusses solid waste generation and the importance of waste picker organizations and cooperatives in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Objective: From this perspective, the general aim of the research was to evaluate and propose improvements to the sorting and final disposal of household waste collected by a recycling cooperative.

Methodology: The study consisted of bibliographical research and field research. It was a quantitative, observational case study using a questionnaire for managers and cooperative members. The gravimetric composition observed in 2019 and 2020 and from January to July 2021 was obtained by consulting the cooperative's data.

Results: The results showed that there was an increase in the generation of household waste over the years analyzed. The results indicated that in 2019, the most extensive collections were of cardboard waste (290,987 kg), glass (172,760 kg), and white paper (128,582 kg), which accounted for 63.6% of the collection. The total collection during this period was 931,557 kg. In 2020, the largest collections were of cardboard waste (283,334 kg), glass (254,220 kg), and white paper (135,873 kg), which accounted for over 69% of the collection. The total collection during this period was 969,565 kg. From January to July 2021, the total collection was 527,632 kg.

Conclusion: The increase in waste generation over the years indicates the demand for an increase in the hiring of cooperative members responsible for sorting waste and implementing more robust environmental education programs to promote awareness of proper waste disposal practices.

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Author Biographies

Marcella Villela Carvalho, University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Psychology from the Ituiutaba Educational Foundation (FEIT/UEMG). Experience in clinical, hospital, and organizational areas, working mainly on the following topics: social representations of gender, adolescents, emotion, and pregnancy. Master's degree in Environmental Sciences from Universidade Brasil, SP, and PhD in Environmental Technology from Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP) with environmental education and waste management themes.

Ellen Francine Rodrigues, University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Biotechnology Unit, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina. She holds a bachelor's degree in Food Engineering and a master's degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Passo Fundo. She has experience in the areas of Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering, with an emphasis on research topics: biotechnological processes using bacteria and filamentous fungi, including submerged and solid-state fermentation, production of biosurfactants, antimicrobials, exopolysaccharides, enzymes and cultivation of microalgae to obtain bioproducts. His research also covers areas such as microbiology and the valorization of industrial waste, seeking sustainable and innovative solutions for industry and the environment.

Valdir Schalch, University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

Senior Professor in the Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation at the São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, and coordinator of the Center for Study and Research in Solid Waste (NEPER). He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Oswaldo Cruz School of Chemistry (1976), a master's degree in Hydraulic Engineering and Sanitation from the University of São Paulo (1984) and a PhD in Hydraulic Engineering and Sanitation from the University of São Paulo (1992). He was a visiting professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln-USA (1999-2000). He works in the area of solid waste management and administration.

Murilo Daniel de Mello Innocentini, University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

Graduated in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos UFSCar (1991). He completed his master's degree (1993) and doctorate (1997) in Chemical Engineering from UFSCar with a internship period at the University of Birmingham, England (1996). He completed postdoctoral studies (1998-2003) in the area of permeability assessment of refractory ceramic materials at DEMa/UFSCar. He is a professor of the undergraduate course in Chemical Engineering and Coordinator of the Professional Master's and Academic Doctorate Programs in Environmental Technology at the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). He is a visiting professor at the University of Bath, England, and is a member of the Centre for Regenerative Design Engineering for a Net Positive World (RENEW). He is the leader of the CNPq research group: Sustainable Materials and Optimization of Environmental Processes.

Lisandro Simão, University of Ribeirão Preto, Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (PGMAT/UFSC). He has a degree in Environmental Engineering (2013) and Sanitary Engineering (2021) from the University of Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC) and a master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the same institution (2016). He is currently a professor and researcher in the Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology (PPG-TA) at the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP), coordinator of the research group SUGERS - Sustainability and Solid Waste Management and member of the research group VALORA - Waste Valorization as a Strategy for the Development of the Circular Economy.

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