Pimp My Carroça

Pimp My Carroça

Dignity and Free Health Care for Independent Waste Collectors in São Paulo

For over 50 years, thousands of marginalized people have collected recyclable materials as an alternative source of income. It is estimated that there are more than 70,000 independent recyclable waste collectors in Brazil’s urban areas, invisible to the eyes of a society that does not recognize the impact of their important environmental work.

Pimp My Carroça fights for the dignity of independent waste collectors by involving the public to provide them free assistance in various areas. Both task forces and individuals provide the waste collectors with health and psychological services as well as aesthetic work. The project also provides structural reforms to their carts, which are then embellished by graffiti artists to become works of street art.

With support from BrazilFoundation, the project will:

• Provide services to 48 independent waste collectors to promote their health, safety, and well-being;
• Hold 3 large-scale events to encourage public appreciation for waste collectors;
• Distribute kits with shirts, custom raincoats, socks, shoes and rubber gloves to collectors;
• “Pimp” (decorate) waste carts through structural reform and the addition of safety features such as mirrors, reflective tapes and horns.

IMPACT

48 independent waste collectors attended per year
48 carts “pimped”
3 events held

“Recycling is imperative for a healthy environment. Attention and creativity must be given so that it can become a part of our daily lives!” Thiago Mundano – Graffiti Artist, Activist, and Creator of Pimp My Carroça