The Contribution of Community-Based Recycling Cooperatives to a Cluster of SDGs in Semi-arid Brazilian Peri-urban Settlements

Abstract

This study focuses on how community recycling cooperatives in two peri-urban climate vulnerable hotspots, Juazeiro and Petrolina, located within the Sao Francisco River basin are scaling up the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). From the cooperatives' activities, there is direct contribution to a cluster of SDGs, namely, SDG 5 (gender), SDG 6 (water and sanitation), SDG 7 (sustainable energy), SDG 11 (sustainable settlements), SDG 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life in oceans), SDG 15 (life on land), and SDG 17 (partnerships). The main methods of data generation were interviews and field observations. It emerged that the significant contributions of community–based waste recycling cooperatives to scaling up SDG 12 implementation resulted in many direct and strong linkages with other SDGs as highlighted herein. This further opens up opportunities for policy cohesion and integration that may optimize positive externalities. To this end, we recommend that more of such activities be initiated in Brazil and, where possible, in other areas of the world leading to 2030.