Welcome to the Participatory Sustainable Waste Management (PSWM) website, a knowledge-hub for innovative projects dedicated to more sustainable lifestyles suited to the needs and wants of current and future generations. PSWM presents a viable option to make better use of the world's resources. This website has grown from its original purpose as an illustration of the benefits of the PSWM project in Brazil. As PSWM initiatives become more important in contemporary society, so too the number of projects proliferates. This website presents information on particpatory projects that have evolved from partnerships between the University of Victoria's Community-Based Research Lab, other research institutes, and communities.

Participatory waste management means:

• Putting the community in control of their urban environment, and strengthening their resources to improve it.
• Improved waste management in the hands of strengthened co-operative enterprises.
• Involving people in the decisions and policies that affects their lives.
• Directing research efforts towards the people.
• Improved environmental knowledge, more responsible consumption, and reduced waste.

Former PRESIDENT LULA'S attendance at ExpoCatadores

Approximately 2000 visitors, of which 1500 were recyclers, participated each day in the Expo Catador, held in São Paulo between October 29th and 31st 2009. At this event President Lula signed a new social program in support of the organized informal recyclers. This program is called: Collection in action/ socioeconomic integration of the recyclers (“Cata-Ação/ Integração Sócioeconômica dos Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis”) and is a multi-stakeholder initiative. President Lula further announced another significant investment to be made in capacity building of the recyclers. The total amount proposed for these activities is 225 million Reais. Lula made a specific appeal to the mayor of São Paulo and other local government representatives that were present at the event, to protect the recyclers from ‘ambitious industrial developments that might want to take advantage of waste as a resource’.

Nos dias 28, 29 e 30 de outubro, aconteceu na cidade são Paulo a Expo Catadores 2009, realizada pelo MNCR. Participaram catadores de todo o Brasil, de países da América Latina e da Índia, além de empresários do setor da reciclagem, políticos, gestores públicos, ONGs e universidades. O Presidente da República, Luís Inácio Lula da Silva visitou a exposição e emocionou os catadores com seu discurso. Para versão em português, clique aqui.