BY MARCOS RAMOSAMERICAS JUL 12TH 2024. 3 MINS
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PHOTOGRAPH BY MARCOS RAMOS

In the bustling cities of Brazil, a force of unsung heroes silently toil day and night, braving all weather conditions to collect, sort, and sell recyclable materials. They are the waste pickers, an army of around 800,000 individuals who play an indispensable role in waste management, recycling over 90% of Brazil’s recyclable waste each year. Through powerful shots Rio de Janeiro-born photographer Marcos Ramos shines a light on these resilient individuals and their crucial impact on Brazil’s circular economy and environmental preservation.

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Waste pickers play a crucial role in waste management in Brazil, significantly contributing to recycling and urban cleanliness. According to data from the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA), there are currently about 800,000 waste pickers in the country, many of whom work autonomously and in precarious conditions. These professionals remove approximately 90% of all recyclable material collected in Brazil, which amounts to more than 800,000 tons of waste per year. They work tirelessly, morning, afternoon, and night, through rain or shine, in both cold and hot weather.

Often seen as informal workers, waste pickers are responsible for collecting, sorting, and selling recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. This activity not only generates income for thousands of families but also plays a crucial role in environmental preservation. According to the Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies (ABRELPE), recycling prevents tons of waste from being improperly discarded, reducing pollution and the need for new landfills. […]

José gets up early every day and takes to the streets of Rio de Janeiro in search of recyclable materials. Photo: Marcos Ramos (2021).

Carla pushes her makeshift cart made of wood, full of black bags filled with plastic bottles and cardboard. Inside one of the boxes is her 5-year-old daughter Isabel, accompanying her around Rio de Janeiro in her hard daily and nightly work. Photo: Marcos Ramos (2020).

More: In Pictures – Waste Pickers: Brazil’s Unsung Recycling Heroes