A Milestone for Waste Pickers: Belém Launches Its First Public Composting Center at COP30

A crucial but often overlooked group finally gained greater visibility: the waste pickers, represented by the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP).

Helena Oliveira

Every year brings a new COP—and renewed hopes for a sustainable future where economic development goes hand in hand with environmental and social progress. COP30 in Belém was no exception: expectations were high and calls for decisive climate action were louder than ever. Yet this year, a crucial but often overlooked group finally gained greater visibility: the waste pickers, represented by the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP).

For this year’s event, the IAWP, in partnership with the Global Methane Hub (GMH), Instituto Pólis, and local authorities, built Belém’s first public composting facility, operated entirely by waste pickers. The center uses mechanized rotary drum technology and can process 150 tons of food waste per month—reaching up to 180 tons when including pruning and leaf waste.

Beyond serving the needs of COP30—which was expected to generate around 13 tons of organic waste per day during the 12-day conference, the initiative aims to fully integrate waste picker cooperatives into the municipal waste management system. The facility will be operated by members of Redes Recicla Pará and Rede Central da Amazônia, highlighting their essential role in the circular economy and broader climate agenda.

The compost produced will be distributed primarily to family farmers, closing the loop on organic waste recovery and generating additional income for waste pickers. According to Severino Lima, President of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers and Secretary of International Articulation at UNICATADORES, the new composting yard represents a major milestone, bringing income opportunities, education, and empowerment to waste picker communities.

 

Sources:

https://cop30.br/en/news-about-cop30/belem-unveils-its-first-public-composting-system-operated-by-waste-pickers
https://www.globalmethanehub.org/2025/11/09/belem-presents-first-public-composting-system-with-funding-from-the-global-methane-hub-cutting-emissions-and-creating-green-jobs-ahead-of-cop30/