Fundamental for recycling, selective collection has gradually gained space in Brazilian cities, which are beginning to understand its importance for preservation environmental.
Thus, between 2010 and 2018, the number of Brazilian municipalities with the project increased from 801 to 1322.
The data is part of the National Solid Waste Plan (PNRS) report, from the National Sanitation Information System – Solid Waste, from the Ministry of the Environment.
Separating garbage for selective collection to be recycled is a simple attitude that brings several benefits not only environmental, but also social, economic and educational.
Therefore, see in this guide everything about selective collection, how beneficial it is, how it is carried out and stay up to date with iFood's actions in favor of the environment and society. sustainability.
What is selective collection?
Selective collection is the system for collecting different types of solid waste urban areas (RSU) previously separated according to their composition or constitution.
However, it is worth highlighting that solid waste means discarded material, substance, object or good that results from human activity.
Therefore, in this type of collection, materials such as cardboard, aluminum, glass, paper and plastic that can be recycled are considered.
Per law, Gases contained in containers and liquids that cannot be discharged into the sewage system or into seas, lakes, ponds and rivers are also considered solid waste.
In addition, there is selective collection of organic waste, which must be disposed of appropriately, as in the case of peels and remains of fruits, vegetables, eggshells and pruning remains.
How important is selective collection?
A powerful environmental education tool, selective collection feeds the material recycling chain, reducing pollution and waste of natural resources.
In 96.5% of municipalities with more than 1 million inhabitants, there are selective solid waste collection programs, according to the National Solid Waste Plan report.
The collection of urban solid waste increased from 88% in 2010 to 92% in 2019, according to Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies (Abrelpe).
Selective collection therefore contributes to environmental, social and economic sustainability, through the saving of natural resources, education for conscious consumption and inclusion of collectors.
Benefits of selective collection
The benefits of selective collection programs are diverse and cover various segments and sectors of a community, in which everyone does their part for everyone.
According to the elective collection booklet of the Secretariat of the Environment of the Government of São Paulo, the benefits are:
- Improve the environment and quality of life;
- Reduce waste;
- Reduce energy consumption;
- Reduce water, soil and air pollution;
- Increase the useful life of landfills;
- Generate employment and income for collectors of recyclable materials;
- Enable the recycling of materials that would otherwise go to common waste;
- Promote environmental education;
- Reduce the exploitation of natural resources;
- Reduce production costs, taking advantage of recyclable materials in the industry.
How does selective collection work?
The most common types of selective collection in Brazilian municipalities are: door-to-door collection, collection at Voluntary Delivery Points (PEVs) and by cooperatives and associations.
In door-to-door collection, a public urban cleaning service provider or a recyclable association collector collects already separated waste from homes and businesses.
Delivery points are locations located close to the residential area where the separated material is delivered and then collected by the public authorities.
Finally, PEVs can be located in parks, recycling points and gas stations.
How to carry out selective collection?
The National Solid Waste Policy, established by law 12.305, 2010, made the implementation of selective collection mandatory for municipalities.
According to the National Solid Waste Policy, MSW management and management must follow an order of priority.
This order consists of non-generation, reduction, reuse, recycling, treatment of solid waste and environmentally appropriate final disposal of waste.
Separating waste is essential for selective collection to work properly. See some tips below:
- Separate waste according to type of material;
- If possible, have a bin for each type of material;
- Wash plastic, glass and metal packaging before discarding them;
- Pack garbage safely and appropriately;
- Find out about collection times in your neighborhood or search for a Voluntary Delivery Point in your city.
The challenge of carrying out selective collection involves raising awareness among the population about the importance of separating waste according to the type of disposal.
The large volume of solid waste that should be collected through selective collection ends up mixing with organic waste, becoming waste in landfills.
Selective collection and recycling: what is the relationship?
Selective collection and recycling are directly related, since to recycle materials they must have gone through the separation and collection process.
Recycling is the process of transforming a material already used into another product, such as plastic from a PET bottle that can become polyester fibers used in textile manufacturing.
In this way, through selective collection, recycling generates sustainable raw materials, helps save energy and water, reduces pollution and alleviates landfills.
Selective collection in companies: how does it happen?
Selective collection in companies involves fundamental steps, which are diagnosis, planning, implementation, operation, monitoring and analysis of benefits.
The company must also implement the 3 Rs culture – reduce, recycle and reuse.
- Reduce waste and review consumption habits. An example could be the exchange of plastic cups for coffee consumption with individual metal, glass or ceramic mugs.
- Recycle all material by separating it into suitable bins.
- Reuse and reusing materials for other functions, such as printed and already used reports that can be turned into note and draft paper.
iFood has positive environmental impact plan programs whose commitment is to curb climate change and regenerate the environment with effective actions.
Among the commitments signed by foodtech is the #PlasticFree. A campaign It has already reached 130 million orders shipped without the material and is moving on to new stages.
In addition to this campaign, iFood was a partner in the joint effort that removed 67 kilos of trash from the sands of Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, on April 23rd this year. The initiative was organized by the Recicla Orla project with the support of foodtech and the Instituto Meros do Brasil.
Another iFood initiative in favor of the environment is the iFood Sustainable Hub, structure to facilitate delivery logistics for partner couriers Located in Campinas (SP), the space has solar energy, an adequate disposal point for waste and rainwater collection for irrigation.
