WHO WE ARE
Our Vision
To connect the world to the informal recycling sector with assurance.
WHO ARE WE?
Our Mission
Develop a socially responsible circular economy that empowers informal sector waste workers through dignified work, influences value chain effectiveness and builds carbon efficient supply chains of recycled materials.
WHO ARE WE?
Our Story
iWrc (Inclusive Waste Recycling Consortium) was founded in 2019 at the request of our founding members consisting of HP, J&J, KCC and FEMSA Foundation. Each of the founding members had the same goal of including post consumed recycled (PCR) material in their supply chain. This PCR is recovered from the environment by recycling cooperatives and autonomous pickers. During his first visit to Brazil, Michael Maggio, our CEO and founder, was working as the Global Vice President of Packaging and as the Worldwide head of R&D Engineering for Johnson & Johnson. It was here that he was introduced to the risks that exist when integrating the informal sector into the formal supply chain. When visiting cooperatives, he saw men without shirts and women without shoes, children on site, electrical wires hanging from the ceiling, no potable water or functioning bathrooms. Since then, he has been determined to improve the conditions of the people, who he came to realize were the first line of defense in protecting the environment, by providing recycling services where none existed.
In order to do this the iWrc vision was jointly created to build an environment where people, community and business benefit from transforming waste into valuable resources. We set out to do this by eliminating individual risk factors, for those who recycle in the emerging markets and live on or below the poverty line – risk factors such as child labor, forced labor, unsafe and inhumane working conditions, which enhance waste pickers health and well-being while integrating the material they collect into the value chains of our public/private corporate partners. To this day, through iWrc’s approach we have helped reinsert thousands of tons of recycled material into the supply chain, saved thousands in logistics costs, generated millions in revenue to our partner cooperatives and empowered thousands of workers in the recycling market.
Meet iWrc: a collaborative platform that connects cooperatives and autonomous pickers to brands in the recycling chain, through three pillars: iWrc University, the Marketplace and ESG Services.
Imagine a place where cooperative members and autonomous pickers who live among waste could take their recyclables and receive a fair market value in exchange for the material they collected, through a fair market intermediary. What if, when they arrived they were encouraged to enroll in a training program that offers health and safety-based education and better operational techniques? A program that has been designed specifically for people working in the recycling sector who can learn at a comfortable pace in order to improve the sector’s productivity, quality and financial return. Imagine if there was an option that could create a fair and sustainable trade system that focuses on people as a critical part of the circular economy, where material is tracked and traceable by everyone.
Let’s work together and collectively to solve the waste problem that overwhelms our streets, landfills and waterways, to meet the recycling targets set by legislation and sustainability policies
we are being recognized
Our Awards
Prêmio Plástico Circular (2023)
“Rede pela Circularidade do Plástico” and “Plástico em Revista”
Prêmio Latam Positive Impact Startup (2021)
“Inovation Latam” and “Fundação Dom Cabral”
WHO ARE WE?
Our Ambition
To reach at least 1 million cooperative members worldwide, 95% of whom are women, who recycle more than 150,000 tons of materials annually per country.
By more effectively and efficiently linking cooperatives with public-private partners, iWrc improves working conditions and seeks to stabilize the family incomes of cooperative members and autonomous pickers.
Our approach puts people first, and enables partner companies to meet their sustainability goals and legal obligations, whilst providing them with a compelling socio-economic and environmental narrative that mitigates the reputational risks inherent in working with the recycling sector in emerging markets.
WHO ARE WE?
Our Team
This is our dream team.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN US
Contact iWrc :)
Do you want to be part of our collaborative platform and generate value in the recycling chain or do you have any questions about iWrc?
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