Through a partnership between Klabin, Ambipar Environment and municipal governments, the initiative strengthens the circular economy of the region, while cooperatives in Reserva and Telêmaco Borba expand their activities 
  

Event for inauguration of the social franchises

Paraná, November 14, 2024 – The cooperatives, which since 2012 have been part of Klabin's Solid Waste Program (now Klabin Transforms Circular Territory), have increased the income of cooperative members and associates and are currently management models for Brazilian recycling institutions.

On November 12 and 13, the cooperatives Acamarango, in Reserva, and ReciclaTB, in Telêmaco Borba, became social franchises. With support from Klabin, in partnership with the municipal governments and using Ambipar Environment's Social methodology and technology, the cooperatives have become management models for productivity, institutional compliance, reduction of improper waste disposal and supplying the recycling market.

The shift to the social franchise model represents a journey of professionalization for cooperatives, aiming to promote the economic, environmental, and social development of a city. This model aims to transfer technical knowledge and ensure that recycling organizations can operate sustainably, with independence and benefits for all involved, strengthening the local economy with circularity and promoting recycling and proper waste disposal.

The Acamarango Recyclable Materials Association, which has been in development since 2021, has begun operating in a new warehouse, under a commitment agreement signed with the municipal government of Reserva, ensuring improved working conditions and increased production capacity. ReciclaTB, in Telêmaco Borba, has enhanced its facilities to provide a safer and more efficient environment for waste management. It is now taking another step in its evolution by becoming a social franchise. Both cooperatives are benefited by the Klabin Transforms Circular Territory Program, which aims to support municipalities in complying with the National Solid Waste Policy, providing them with new equipment, specialized technical consultancy, support to the training of municipal managers, development of recycling pro-fessionals and initiatives focusing on environmental education and raising public awareness.

"Acamarango became the first association in the region to have a partnership established with the municipal government. We now have a designated area to receive waste for recycling and process it more efficiently, thereby increasing the income of our members," said Leonir dos Santos, chairman of Acamarango. The new space includes a kitchen, cafeteria, accessible restrooms, an office and a designated area for unloading and disposing of materials, enhancing the safety and dignity of our work environment. "I feel very important working here. We properly sort the materials, sell them and make our living. With Klabin's help, we secured a higher price for the waste and increase our income by the end of the month," said Leonir dos Santos.

ReciclaTB has been improving its operations and working conditions and increasing its productivity, and today they are recognized in the city of Telêmaco Borba as recycling professionals. Since 2021, when the project started in partnership with Ambipar for technical execution, the average income of the cooperative members was R$1,200.00. Now, it increased to an average of R$4,000.00, with even more ambitious production goals set.
 

ReciclaTB team at the inauguration of the social franchise

Acamarango team with Klabin representatives at the inauguration of the social franchise

About Ambipar's Humanized Circular Economy Social Technology
"Ambipar empowers and trains leaders as new recycling professionals and makes other investments that generate positive social and environmental impact for municipalities and territories. This journey of professionalization is a unique proposal for continuous improvement and a bold approach to fostering the circular economy in developing countries that lack investment in public policies and basic infrastructure for sanitation and waste management," said Maíra Pereira, director at Ambipar.

“We demonstrate the positive social impact of Social Franchising by applying the Indicators that are related to the selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of promoting decent labor, fostering economic growth and reducing inequalities," said Juliana Navea, director of operations at Ambipar.

For Uilson Paiva, Social Responsibility and Community Relations manager at Klabin, the opening of the social franchises marks a new phase for the cooperatives and reinforces Klabin's commitment to sustainability and the social and economic development of Campos Gerais. "By adopting the social franchising model, Acamarango and ReciclaTB become local references for efficient environmental management, benefiting the community and promoting sustainable awareness," he added.

About Klabin Transforms Circular Territory
Klabin develops programs targeted at the community and, with so many topics involved, the Company has found in Klabin Transforms a way to consolidate all efforts into a unified initiative. Therefore, all the Company's social and environmental programs will now be called Klabin Transforms. As a result, the former Solid Waste Program is now called Klabin Transforms Circular Territory.

About Ambipar
Ambipar is a Brazilian multinational company and global leader in environmental solutions. It invests in and operates decarbonization, circular economy, energy transition and environmental regeneration projects. The company is present in 40 countries and employs over 20,000 people. Ambipar's shares are traded on B3 (AMBP3) and on the New York Stock Exchange (AMBI). To learn more, click here.