Eduarda Meneghetti

Brazilian social entrepreneur who transformed trash collection into a sustainable economic model for marginalized communities

Eduarda Meneghetti (1975-) is a pioneering Brazilian social entrepreneur who created the Catarse platform, Latin America's largest crowdfunding site, but her most impactful work began in 2000 when she founded Terra Plena. This initiative turned urban waste collection into a dignified livelihood for Rio's favela residents through a unique cooperative model. Instead of traditional trash collection, Terra Plena trains and employs marginalized workers to collect recyclables, providing fair wages and health benefits while reducing landfill use by 60% in target areas.

Meneghetti's approach includes:

• Establishing partnerships with major corporations for waste management
• Developing a blockchain-based recycling tracking system
• Training programs for environmental education

Her work has inspired similar models in 15 countries across Latin America. In 2018 she launched the Circular Brasil network, connecting 300+ cooperatives and creating 15,000 green jobs. Her TEDx talk How Trash Can Build Communities has been translated into 8 languages.

Meneghetti's innovations have reduced Rio's greenhouse gas emissions by 12,000 tons annually while lifting thousands out of poverty. She was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2022 for her 'circular economy' vision. Her recent book Recycling Revolution outlines strategies for global waste management reform.