Percepção, descarte de resíduos sólidos e cotidiano – estudo em associação de catadores de materiais recicláveis

Abstract

The inadequate disposal of solid waste is a global problem that affects public health, the environment and people’s quality of life. Workers collecting recyclable materials are often marginalized by society, although they play a key role in the effectiveness of integrated solid waste management. The way people interact with the environment is influenced by their perceptions, ideologies and previous knowledge. In this context, Environmental Education emerges as a promising way to promote changes in the environmental perception of today’s society, having a direct impact on the way society manages its waste. In this perspective, this research aimed to identify the environmental perception of waste pickers members of the Association of Waste Pickers of the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Community (ARENSA) based on information provided by waste pickers members of the Association. To achieve this goal the methodological path outlined was through a qualitative research, with the application of semi-structured questionnaires, in order to identify their perceptions of what are solid waste, recyclable materials and also to understand their anguishes and problems faced daily in the act of the profession, as well as if there is some relationship between the social class of the population and the way it disposes of its waste. The results showed that waste pickers see themselves as true environmental agents, are a group of people who maintain a close relationship with nature and believe faithfully in the positive change that their work generates for society and the environment. The data obtained also indicated that in the perception of waste pickers the social status of the population influences the way they dispose of solid waste, according to the they stated that the most humble population disposes of waste in a greater quantity and in a better way compared to populations with higher purchasing power. Thus, the study was satisfactory, because it reached the proposed objectives.