Concern for the environment and also an interest in the discovery of new actions towards sustainable development1 are extremely relevant factors for modern society. There is a need for constant consideration of this issue, as Brazilian policies are based on a model of developmentalist development, while policies for assistance are based on a similar perspective. This is what led me to embark on this study, looking at the social and environmental issue from the standpoint of interdisciplinarity, as I believe that there is an underlying social function under whatever perspective is considered. Even though the current reality of the recyclables market allows one to envisage a sustainable horizon which is economically attractive for large businesspeople in the industrial segment, in stark contradiction it denies access to essential goods and services to the very people who are part of the production chain, the waste scavengers or catadores. This is initially justified by the devaluation of the activity which is carried out, an activity which is often considered unhealthy, dangerous, arduous, and generating less value for the potential employer and less profit. This, together with the fact that most of the workers have a low level of schooling, means that this category of workers has become stigmatised as unable to manage their own business.