Time off: Through his Avina foundation, Schmidheiny, 50, funds and advises South American entrepreneurs on sustainable development.

FORBES: Europe

Funds have primarily been distributed to the not-for-profit Avina, to help build networks of entrepreneurs and leaders in Latin America.

FORBES: Swiss Billionaire Sentenced To 16 Years In Asbestos Case

But five years ago Da Rocha began working with the Avina Foundation, which he was introduced to through a waste cooperative.

FORBES: Creative Giving

Avina was founded 15 years ago by one of the world's least known and most foresighted philanthropists, Swiss billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny, 61.

FORBES: Creative Giving

He wants the co-op to own its own recycling plant and has traveled to Europe (on Avina's dime) to talk to waste management companies and charitable funders about why help for waste pickers should be included in any scheme to reduce carbon emissions.

FORBES: Creative Giving