Waste Picker Assistance Program: How It Works and Who Can Apply

THE Waste Picker Assistance Program is a pioneering initiative in Brazil, aimed at valuing workers who play an essential role in environmental sustainability.

As well as, in the circular economy: recyclable material collectors.

Created by the Government of Ceará, the program not only offers financial support, but also promotes social inclusion and recognition for a category that has historically been invisible.

In a context where solid waste management is a global challenge, the program stands out as a model of public policy that combines economic support, citizenship, and environmental preservation.

But how does this program work?

Who can benefit from it?

And, more importantly, why is it so relevant in a country with around 800,000 waste pickers working on the front lines of recycling?

Continue reading and find out more:

What is the Collector Assistance Program?

THE Waste Picker Assistance Program It is a state public policy, established in Ceará through Law No. 17,377/2021, which aims to provide financial and technical support to collectors of recyclable materials.

Unlike traditional welfare programs, it recognizes waste pickers as providers of environmental services, remunerating them for their contribution to sustainability.

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The program offers a monthly aid equivalent to 1/4 of the minimum wage (currently R$ 379.50 in 2025), paid directly through a personalized bank card, ensuring dignity and security upon receipt.

In addition to financial support, the program encourages waste pickers to organize into associations or cooperatives, strengthening their membership and facilitating access to social rights.

For example, imagine Maria, a waste picker from Fortaleza who, before the program, faced difficulties in guaranteeing a stable income.

After joining a cooperative partnering with the program, she not only began receiving assistance but also participated in training that helped her optimize her collection and increase her income through the sale of recyclables.

In this sense, this is the kind of transformation the program seeks.

The initiative emerged in response to the hardships faced by waste pickers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the suspension of recycling in many municipalities exposed the vulnerability of this category.

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Thus, the Waste Picker Assistance Program was consolidated as a permanent policy, ensuring not only income, but also the restoration of citizenship for these workers.

After all, who could deny the importance of recognizing those who transform waste into resources?

How does the Collector Assistance Program work?

The operation of the Program Aid Collector It is structured to be accessible, but requires organization and commitment from beneficiaries.

To participate, collectors must be linked to an association or cooperative accredited by the state government, which acts as an intermediary in the registration and validation process.

Cooperatives are responsible for submitting the necessary documentation to the Environment Secretariat (SEMA), including proof of productivity, such as the minimum collection of 500 kg of recyclable materials per month.

The registration process is mostly virtual, which modernizes access and reduces logistical barriers.

For example, João, a waste picker from Sobral, was able to register for the program in 2023 through the SEMA website, submitting his scanned documents with the support of his cooperative.

After approval, he began receiving the aid directly into his account, which allowed him to invest in protective equipment and improve his working conditions.

This example illustrates how the program combines technology and community organizing to reach its beneficiaries.

In addition, the program offers technical training, such as workshops on efficient screening and workplace safety.

These actions not only increase productivity, but also boost the self-esteem of collectors, who begin to see themselves as agents of environmental change.

In 2023, according to SEMA data, the program covered 3,655 collectors in 90 municipalities in Ceará, an increase of 28% compared to 2020, evidencing its expansion and growing impact.

Who Can Apply for the Waste Picker Assistance Program?

To qualify for the Waste Picker Assistance Program, it is necessary to meet specific criteria that ensure that the benefit reaches the most vulnerable workers.

First, the collector must be registered in the Single Registry (CadÚnico), the federal system that identifies low-income families.

Furthermore, it is essential to be linked to a recycling association or cooperative recognized by SEMA, which reinforces the importance of collective work.

Required documents include ID, CPF, proof of residence and a statement from the cooperative attesting to the collector's productivity.

The requirement to collect 500 kg of recyclable materials per month may seem challenging, but it is a way to ensure that aid is directed to workers active in the recycling chain.

For example, a cooperative in Pacoti, Ceará, organized its members to achieve this goal, dividing the collection and sorting tasks, which not only ensured assistance but also increased the group's efficiency.

It is worth noting that the program prioritizes waste pickers in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability, such as those living in extreme poverty or who faced significant losses during the pandemic.

This targeted approach ensures that the benefit reaches those who need it most, promoting equity.

Interestingly, the program can be compared to a bridge.

In other words, just as a bridge connects opposite banks, the Waste Picker Assistance Program combines the economic needs of workers with the appreciation of their environmental role, creating a path to social inclusion.

Benefits and Impacts of the Waste Picker Assistance Program

The impact of Waste Picker Assistance Program goes beyond financial support.

It strengthens the circular economy by reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and promoting the reuse of materials.

In Brazil, waste pickers are responsible for around 90% of material recycling, according to the National Movement of Recyclable Materials Collectors.

Without them, the environmental impact would be devastating, with increased pollution and depletion of natural resources.

Socially, the program restores the dignity of workers who are often marginalized.

By requiring membership in cooperatives, it encourages community organization, allowing waste pickers access to other rights, such as retirement and employment benefits.

Furthermore, the training offered by the program opens doors to entrepreneurship, as in the case of cooperatives that began to negotiate directly with recycling industries, increasing their profit margins.

Environmentally, the program contributes to sustainability by encouraging selective collection.

In Ibiapina, for example, three waste pickers included in the program in 2025 transformed the local recycling dynamics, significantly reducing irregular waste disposal.

This impact demonstrates how the Waste Picker Assistance Program It is not just an income transfer policy, but a tool for social and environmental transformation.

How to Apply for the Waste Picker Assistance Program

The registration process for Waste Picker Assistance Program It is designed to be inclusive, but requires attention to detail.

The first step is to ensure registration with CadÚnico, which can be done at a Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS).

The collector must then join a recycling association or cooperative that is a partner of SEMA.

The cooperative then provides guidance on the necessary documentation and assists in sending data via the SEMA website (www.sema.ce.gov.br).

Registration is carried out annually, with notices published by SEMA, such as Notice No. 01/2023, which opened 3,655 vacancies.

It is essential that collectors keep their data updated in CadÚnico and the cooperative, as any inconsistency may result in exclusion from the program.

For example, in 2022, some collectors lost the benefit due to lack of registration updates, which reinforces the importance of following SEMA's guidelines.

After approval, the collector receives a personalized bank card for payment of the aid.

This digitalized process reduces bureaucracy and ensures that benefits reach beneficiaries quickly.

In addition, SEMA offers technical support to clarify doubts, either by telephone (85) 99629-0101 or directly at the municipal environmental coordinators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Response
Who can participate in the program?	Collectors registered with CadÚnico, linked to associations or cooperatives accredited by SEMA, with a minimum productivity of 500 kg of recyclables per month.
How do I sign up?	Register with CadÚnico at CRAS, join a partner cooperative and submit the documentation via the SEMA website, according to the annual notice.
What is the amount of the aid?	The aid is 1/4 of the minimum wage, currently R$ 379.50 (2025), paid monthly by bank card.
Do I need to renew my subscription?	Yes, registration must be renewed annually, as per SEMA notices, and CadÚnico data must be up to date.
What happens if I don't reach the 500 kg target?	The cooperative must certify productivity. If the target is not met, the collector may lose the benefit until the situation is regularized.

Why is this Program Essential?

THE Waste Picker Assistance Program It is more than an income transfer policy; it is a recognition of the indispensable role of waste pickers in building a sustainable future.

In a world where the climate crisis demands urgent action, these workers are true guardians of the environment, transforming waste into resources and reducing the ecological footprint of cities.

However, its importance is not always accompanied by decent working conditions, which makes initiatives like this essential.

Economically, the program injects resources directly into the most vulnerable communities, promoting inclusion and social mobility.

Socially, it empowers waste pickers, giving them voice and visibility.

Environmentally, it strengthens the circular economy, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable practices.

In 2023, the program reached 90 municipalities in Ceará, benefiting thousands of families and consolidating Ceará as a reference in public policies for waste pickers.

Therefore, the Waste Picker Assistance Program It is not just a bridge to social inclusion, but a foundation for a development model that values people and the planet.

If each piece of waste collected by a collector represents a step towards sustainability, why not invest even more in this transformation?

With its well-defined structure and concrete impacts, the program is an example of how public policies can align social justice, the economy, and the environment.