To address the world’s increasing pollution problem as well as alleviate extreme poverty, a new Brazilian environmental policy is aiming to track companies’ waste materials, while generating a stable income for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

Manufacturers in Brazil are in great need for recycling solutions. Since its' introduction in 2014, a new policy has required them to recycle all products and materials they release to the market. At the same time, it's estimated by The World Bank that as many as 150 million people in the world - 250,000 in Brazil - currently survive by collecting and selling solid waste like plastic, glass and metal. Most of them face appalling working conditions, earn low and volatile income for their collected materials, and are never paid for the important service they provide to society.

It seems as if a solution connecting manufacturers’ recycling needs with waste collectors’ services could be the single stone to kill two birds – including a clean up of the feathers afterwards. New Hope Ecotech (NHE) does exactly this by connecting the country's biggest polluters with street cleaners via direct servicing and tradable environmental securities.

By tracking the flow of materials in the recycling chain, NHE issue recycling certificates – similar to Carbon Credits, but for recyclables – to solve polluters’ regulatory obligations, increase recycling rates and generate additional stable income for informal waste collectors. This way companies can track and trace their pollution footprints, while increasing recycling and creating new jobs.

Designed by
Thiago Ascencao Carvalho Pinto, Jai Krishnan & Shannon McDevitt - Brazil