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Recyclable material collectors will have food and a place to rest during Carnival.
Published on 14/02/2026 - 12:31 | Updated
The Recycler's House, in downtown Rio - Photo: Wagner da Silva/Press Release The Municipal Secretariat for the Environment and Climate (SMAC) is promoting a social initiative during the country's biggest popular festival, placing those who keep the city clean after the festivities at the center of environmental policy. Launched last Friday (February 13th), the Casa do Catador – Carnaval do Rio 2026 (Recycler's House – Rio Carnival 2) is located in downtown Rio de Janeiro from February 13th to 18th, operating 24 hours a day to accommodate collectors of recyclable materials who work during the Carnival period.
The center will operate 24 hours a day, offering food, rest areas, hygiene facilities, psychosocial support, distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), document regularization, registration in public programs (such as CadÚnico), and organization of the recycling chain with a structured sorting and weighing point.
The expectation is to serve around 200 workers, especially those in situations of social vulnerability, informal employment, or homelessness, guaranteeing dignified working conditions and expanding access to rights.
– Today we have a municipal policy of affirmative action for waste pickers; large events cannot take place without operations involving waste pickers. The Waste Picker's House is fundamental because there are many vulnerable waste pickers who spend seven days on the streets. Within those seven days, women are more vulnerable, men can be beaten, and here they have a safe place to shelter. It's a different quality of life for entering the formal job market. Waste pickers are workers – highlighted the Secretary of Environment and Climate, Tainá de Paula.
Environmental impact and strengthening the circular economy.
Aligned with the National Solid Waste Policy and sustainability guidelines for large events, the Recyclers' House will directly contribute to increasing the volume of recyclable materials collected and properly disposed of, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, strengthening inclusive reverse logistics, and generating direct income for waste pickers.
The project integrates social inclusion and environmental responsibility, demonstrating that sustainability also means recognizing and protecting those on the front lines of waste management.
Valuing those who care for the city.
Amidst the joy of the festivities, it is the waste pickers who ensure that cans, bottles, and other materials return to the production cycle. The Waste Picker's House reinforces the recognition of these workers as essential environmental agents, promoting citizenship, self-esteem, and social justice.
The event is organized by the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment and Climate (SMAC), in partnership with Caixa Econômica Federal and with the support of the Brazilian Government.
Service
Project: Casa do Catador – Rio Carnival 2026
Period: February 13-18, 2026
Local NewsDowntown Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Hours: 24 hours
