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One of the objectives of this research is to
systemise and evaluate the experiences of differential collection, an
objective that is widely covered.
The other objective aimed at the
participation of classifiers in he systemisation, this also builds into
the collective identity of the sector and represents a priority in terms
of participation.
It provides assistance to seventeen
settlements in the northern area of Montevideo since 1996. The direct
beneficiaries are waste classifiers and neighbours who are left out of the
city waste collection system.
Garbage classifiers are informal workers
who recover material from domestic solid waste that can be recycled and/or
reused. They classify this waste into self-consumption, exchange or sale.
Their activity consists of three stages: tour and recovery, classification
and sale.
Support for the project is much higher
among the classifiers themselves than among the neighbours who do not
perform this task. This different approach may be due to the disparity of
the volumes of waste handled and the proportionate awareness of the damage
caused. An important factor underlying the support that classifiers
provide is their need to overcome the social discrimination associated
with this activity, as they are accounted responsible for the lack of
hygiene by the neighbours who lobby explicitly to turn public opinion in
favour of prohibiting their activities.
As a result of this, the classifiers feel
the need to create instruments to take care of the final disposal of waste
and to endorse the preparation of the proposals that constitute the direct
background of the project.
The Differential Collection of Garbage
project addresses need of classifiers in the area to dispose final residue
they handle, preventing its being dumped into waterways and eliminating
the creation of waste dumps. The project provides the collection service
with three trucks and 13 classifiers from the area. They move the waste
packed by the classifiers to the plant. Each working team keeps a form for
the daily registration of the number of bags handed out to each
classifier. The population of the area is of approximately 550
classifiers; the project covers 360 workers with an average participation
of 70%. The annual average of daily waste handled is of 24 tons; their
final destination used to be waterways and endemic dump sites.
The feasibility of the project
depends on three factors:
Compatibility of interests among the
stakeholders; the choice of the area, (here one must consider the number
of classifiers and the type of cart used, as these will determine the
approximate amount of waste); habits in handling waste and the condition
of the roads.
The success of the project lies in its
being an instrument to satisfy a real need, where changes expected from
users require less time and effort than that required to maintain old
habits.
The project, together with its
participatory systemisation process, has achieved the following:
The classifier improves his self-esteem by
coming face to face with the traits of his collective identity and thus
recovers his human essence, his economic, social and ecological role.
Neighbours, classifiers and municipal
authorities partake of the exchange opportunities where communities voice
their needs, get information on programmes for their areas and prepare
proposals around environmental health issues.
In fifteen communities, neighbours and
classifiers work together in search of solutions to their environmental
hygiene problems and to improve neighbour conditions that prevent this
from happening.
In May 1998 there was an extension to a
third service and 113 new classifiers participated. New roads become a
reality and old ones were repaired in three communities. The integration
of teams made up of garbage collectors, classifiers, technicians and
institutions is strengthened; roles and responsibilities are better
complemented. Around 250 classifiers take part of the research on
classifiers, waste management and preparation of a diagnosis of needs.
The most important recommendations for the
multiplication of the experience are:
The active participation of classifiers
throughout the research, design and implementation process of the project,
ensures the reliability on the part of the user and has a positive impact
on the results.
Respond to requests in terms of group
meetings as a result of community members enthusiasm as precursors of
community organization around the issue of environmental hygiene.
Before implementing the service, it is
necessary to organise and create the necessary access to allow neighbours
and classifiers to be no more than half a block away from the area where
garbage collection takes place.
The continuity of this project is expected
by the neighbours and classifiers who are in favour of improvements in
environmental hygiene and the direct participation of competent municipal
authorities to carry out the necessary works. On the other hand, Community
Centre #11 is starting the necessary activities to expand the Differential
Collection service, with a view to reach the limits of its area. This step
is to a large extent the result of its participation in the whole research
process.
The classifier, by building his identity
and in his daily struggle, takes up the challenge of change and
participation as symbols of hope.
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