Brazilian Artist & Activist Thiago Mundano Stops by Purpose

Last Tuesday the Purpose staff started the day with a dose of art, innovation, and activism when Thiago Mundano joined the weekly all staff meeting to share the story behind his project Pimp my Carroca.  The project, which started in Sao Paulo and is expanding to communities all around the world, aims to give visibility to recyclable material collectors and erase stigmas around garbage collecting by transforming their carts (in Portuguese, « Carroças ») with graffiti art.

These collectors provide a valuable service to the cities where they haul garbage, but go largely unrecognized for their hard work. Thiago wants his work to highlight and support the heroic work of these collectors who are providing a tremendous service to the planet and their fellow humans. For example, Sao Paulo generates 17,000 tons of garbage per day with only 1% of it being recycled. Thiago pointed out that  90% of this recycled material is picked up by collectors, making what they do “an activity of great environmental and social importance. »

To learn more check out this short movie about the Pimp My Carroça movement.