The aim ofthis project is to show the lives and work of a community often forgotten byBrazilian society, yet who are vitally important to their cities. It exploresthe streets of Sao Paulo and those who live off them. They are the “Catadores”,the people who clean the streets but often go unseen. They recycle the citieswaste and help the environment but most city dwellers don’t notice them, someview them only as scavengers.

I spent sometime in central Sao Paulo photographing the people who walk back and fourthwith their big wheel-carts loaded high with rubbish, collected to earn a living.

Withmodernisation and development at the Brazilian doorstep, the work of theCatadores have become even more important. As the country grows, it producesmore, consumes more and wastes more. Sadly, recycling policies in mostBrazilian cities have not caught-up and as a result, tonnes of recyclablematerials are discarded each year. The Paper Collectors collect and sortthrough rubbish saving recyclable materials and selling them on to others. Theydo this to earn a living but it is more than just survival since their work hasa significant positive impact on the streets of Sao Paulo. With environmentalawareness increasing around the world, I hope these photographs draw attentionto, and bring dignity to the Sao Paulo Paper Collectors and the important workthey do.