Aspectos da mobilização social para a coleta seletiva de resíduos sólidos urbanos: o caso do município de Coronel Xavier Chaves MG

Abstract

A solid wastes separation and composting plant, in the municipality of Coronel Xavier Chaves (MG), was the field laboratory for this research that had as its target the city householders. According to the local administration, in spite of previous campaigns for separate collection at the source that took place since the beginning of the plant operation, a decrease in the cooperation level was observed as time went by, needing a new mobilization for the separate collection. It is seen that this problem is recurrent in towns where, despite having adequate treatment for their solid wastes, the solutions adopted depend on the collaboration of the population served, so that the operation may be efficient and reach the proposed objectives. It is in this context that this research is placed, to study the effectiveness of householders mobilization, while an influential factor to the plant operation conditions. A plant situation diagnosis was made through the observation of working conditions in the conveyor for separating materials, as well an evaluation of parameters (gravimetric composition and per capita production) by means of a processed wastes characterization. The methodology was that of a research-action which states that the elements (householders) in the observed situation are also participants of the intended action (solid wastes separation at home). During the first phase, exploratory, questionnaires were made to get to know the public (determination of action field). The methods applied in the second phase, the mobilization itself, used workshop techniques of group dynamics as a means for psycho-social intervention, as well as others strategies (visits to the plant and speeches), these activities having the objective to increase both public consciousness and sensibility. The results confirm that mobilization for wastes separation at the source is a consequence of these two factors (the consciousness and the sensibility to the problem) together, and that the used methodology seems adequate. The data analyses also demonstrates that the low mobilization level is due to many reasons, since those as simple as the lack of plastic bags, passing by an inadequate collection and transportation logistics, and reaching the supposedly more important cause, that is the partial or total ignorance about both the site and the final disposition method for the city solid wastes.