Collectors received 340 catchers of recyclable materials, on Sunday (1), the last day of Carnival 2020. Thus, the action was an initiative of the artist Mundano, founder of the Pimp My Carroça movement and the Cataki recycling application, together with ANCAT (National Association of Recyclable Material Collectors).
The tool is simple and efficient: a long handle with a claw at the end that is activated by a button at the top. Using the gripper means that collectors don't feel as much pain from the repetitive exercise of bending down to pick up cans in the middle of the crowd, which can be practical and help their health.
Currently, around 20 thousand collectors are responsible for reducing the amount of recyclable materials generated in São Paulo and sent every day to vacant lots, illegal dumps, landfills, rivers and streams.
Media collection per worker
A worker collects an average of 1,200 cans per day during Carnival, for example, which is equivalent to approximately 15 kg of waste. So in one day, the collector can bend down up to 1,200 times to collect recyclables.
“However, the catcher’s benefit really caught on with the pickers who loved it. Although this is a great benefit, it’s fair that I saw and felt so strongly that I was even moved,” Mundano said on his Instagram profile.
“For more days like this, where we occupy and strengthen the street and everyone who lives on it!” added Mudando, referring to the collectors who seek to achieve their dignity.
The initiative is in partnership with ANCAT (National Association of Recyclable Material Collectors).
Mr. Zezinho is 68 years old and has never been to school. He really wanted to learn the alphabet and finally be able to write his own name. A kind 9-year-old teacher began teaching the popsicle seller how to read and write.