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08 - QUEM SUSTENTA A ECONOMIA CIRCULAR? REFLEXÕES SOBRE SAÚDE, INVISIBILIDADE SOCIAL E TRABALHO DE CATADORES DE MATERIAIS RECICLÁVEIS

Doi: 10.47094/IIICOLUBRASMU.2026/RS/9

PALAVRAS CHAVE: Determinação social da saúde. Justiça socioambiental. Vulnerabilidade laboral.

KEYWORDS: Social determination of health. Socio-environmental justice. Occupational vulnerability.

ABSTRACT:
Introduction: The growing emphasis on sustainability and the circular economy has heightened recognition of the environmental importance of recycling. However, there is little discussion regarding the living, working, and health conditions of the individuals who underpin much of this process: recyclable material collectors. Although they perform an essential role in reducing environmental impacts and repurposing waste, these workers frequently remain exposed to precarious employment, social vulnerability, and institutional invisibility. Objective: To reflect on the relationships between work, health, and social invisibility in the lives of recyclable material collectors, drawing on the frameworks of Collective Health and the social determination of health. Methodology: This is a theoretical-reflective study—basic in nature, qualitative in approach, and exploratory-descriptive in objective—conducted through a narrative review of national and international scientific literature on worker health, recyclable material collectors, the circular economy, and the social determination of health. The analysis was interpretive, seeking to identify how economic, social, and environmental processes influence these workers' health conditions. Results: The studies analyzed show that collectors are exposed to multiple occupational risks, including accidents, intense physical exertion, and exposure to biological and chemical agents as well as sharps, alongside recurring instances of social discrimination and economic insecurity. Health issues are observed to stem not only from the nature of the work itself but also from the social inequalities that shape their life trajectories. Despite their contribution to urban sustainability, these workers remain on the periphery of recycling supply chains, receiving the fewest economic benefits while bearing the brunt of the risks associated with the production process. Final Considerations: The analysis demonstrates that the health of waste pickers cannot be understood solely from a biomedical or occupational perspective; rather, it requires approaches that take into account the relevant social, economic, and environmental determinants. Recognizing the central role these workers play in the circular economy also entails acknowledging their right to social protection, health, and dignity, thereby strengthening strategies aimed at promoting equity and socio-environmental justice.

Autores

  • Janile Gadelha Rocha

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