Building a Fund for Inclusive Recycling Initiatives (FIRI)

Geography

Worldwide

Context

Through our extensive involvement in the area of Inclusive Recycling, InclusEO has observed two major obstacles to the sustainable improvement of Waste Pickers livelihoods around the world.

• First of all, their labor and instrumental contribution to nature and society is not recognized and fairly renumerated all around the world.
• Secondly, existing attempts to rectify the situation – in the form of inclusive recycling projects – remain at the pilot stage and fail to scale up due to a number of barriers (lack of institutional recognition, transparency in the value chain, access to funding, access to expertise).

Solution

To tackle these barriers, InclusEO envisioned a Fund for Inclusive Recycling Initiatives (FIRI) with a mission to support development of inclusive recycling solutions through improved access to funding, market, expertise and partnerships. Our conviction is that inclusive recycling projects bring a triple bottom line – in terms of positively impacting people, planet, and business – and we want to mainstream this idea in the industry.

InclusEO’s work is structured around 3 main steps:

1. Analysis of the potential inclusive project’s impact on 3 levels: business, Waste Pickers’ empowerment, and environment.
2. Provision of upfront financing to project implementers including off-takers.
3. Coordination and guidance in the provision of training, equipment, technical assistance.

Expected outcomes:

• By 2030, 60.000 Waste Pickers empowered through access to decent working conditions and a living income. ​​​​​
• By 2030, 550.000 tons of certified responsible Post-Consumer Recycled materials (plastic, paper and cardboard, aluminum and glass) secured on an annual basis.

InclusEO is seeking pioneer partners to invest into the design and employment of FIRI. If you are interested in joining our initiative, please reach out!