The cooperative, composed of eight former waste pickers, collects and buys recyclable materials in Maputo. Waste pickers and residents assist in the collection process by dropping recyclables off at collection points, where they are picked up by the enterprise’s truck. Other cooperative members, having received proper training, sort and clean the recyclables to sell them to companies in the city.

The recyclables collected include plastic, aluminium and glass. Ninety per cent of the profits generated are shared among its members, while ten per cent is reinvested in the cooperative.

COMSOL Cooperative for Environmental Solutions is ensuring social protection and inclusion for underprivileged inhabitants of Maputo and their families. Waste pickers are offered the opportunity to increase their monthly income, and community members are stimulated to actively take part in their neighbourhood’s development.