It all starts with separating waste into reusable, recyclable, household and toxic. In Blumenau, solid waste management is the responsibility of Samae (Municipal Autonomous Water and Sewerage Service), the municipal body responsible for water supply, sewerage and waste management in the city.

The main related activity is solid waste collection. There are currently two types in Blumenau: conventional and selective collection. “It collects organic waste and waste materials and sends them to a landfill for final disposal. We also have a selective collection dedicated to collecting dry recyclables,” explains Raoul Schramm Filho, Health and Environmental Engineer at Samae.

Proper waste disposal helps to preserve the Itajaí-Azú River basin and, as a result, affects the quality of water supplied to the homes of Blumenau residents. – Photo: Disclosure/Samae Blumenau

Once collected, recyclable waste goes through a sorting process to separate what is recyclable and what is not. In this sense, community cooperation is of paramount importance. This is because people in their daily activities can separate out what is recyclable and what is not, “so that as much as possible only what is recyclable is sent to selective collection.” All waste collected through selective collection goes through a process of sorting and then separation. So it’s important that everyone segregates waste at the source.”

Once collected, recyclable waste goes through a sorting process to separate what is recyclable and what is not. – Photo: Disclosure/Samae Blumenau

“The responsibility lies with all of us, and there is no escaping it. Everyone must play their part. Samae cannot do this alone, it cannot solve all the issues, so everyone needs to contribute, especially the public when it comes to waste separation and conditioning, as well as large generators,” reinforces the Sanitation and Environmental Engineer at Samae . Samae.

Proper waste disposal not only preserves the Itajaí-Azú River basin, but also changes people’s lives. As is the case with Manoel Gonzaga, 71, who has been recycling waste in Blumenau for 24 years. “One helping the other, I think that’s what needs to happen.”

Every day, Manoel helps keep the river basin that runs through the city clean. A job that fills him with pride. – Photo: Disclosure/Samae Blumenau

And this is how he follows the daily routine. Every day, Manoel helps keep the river basin that runs through the city clean. A job that fills him with pride. “I managed to buy a refrigerator, a stove, small things around the house. Everything is recycled.”

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