Social innovation in waste management in residential buildings

Abstract

A large number of Brazilian municipalities still need to develop models and arrangements that enhance the disposal and proper destination of materials, especially in homes at large residential buildings that increasingly occupy the metropolises and the urban landscape.  Thus, from the theoretical perspective of social innovation, this paper presents a proposal for structuring multi-selective waste collection for residential condominiums that include the design of a multi-selective waste segregation system in the form of a Center, an environmental education program to stimulate new behaviors and separation habits of residents, and the structuring of new channels for the disposal of sorted materials. The construction of the model took place collaboratively, in a multi-stakeholder approach, including researchers from various areas of knowledge, cooperatives of waste pickers, and representatives of business associations constituted to fulfill the reverse logistics of materials, managers, and residents of residential condominiums. The social innovation presented proposes new dynamics and structures to improve logistics efficiency and the recovery of the economic value of the material, as well as the ability for the action of society and the socio-productive inclusion of waste pickers.