Solid Waste: Selective Garbage Collection And Environmental Education In Esteio, Rs, Brazil

Abstract

This paper shows the results of an Environmental Education project which was carried out in Tamandaré, in Esteio, RS, in order to increase the amount of solid waste sorted out by the community for selective garbage collection. The awareness-raising process involved students from a local school; they were advised by researchers from the Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA), the staff of the City Hall (Environmental Department) and members of the Local Association of Waste Pickers. A gradual increase in the amount of waste sorted out by the community was perceived after this process. It was also compared with a project that was carried out in Londrina, PR; the latter proved to be more efficient because it had got more support regarding logistics, thus, contributing to the waste pickers’ inclusion and to the conservation of natural resources.