Resíduos perigosos na coleta seletiva: uma análise a partir da realidade dos catadores

Abstract

Solid urban waste is considered a major global problem raising concerns about the uninterrupted increase of its generation motivated by the unbridled consumption of the population. In addition, many objects put to consumption when transformed into waste have hazardous characteristics and when discarded in an inappropriate manner can cause harm to the health of waste pickers and the environment. This work aims to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the residues with emphasis on the hazardous ones, which are destined to the Association of Waste Collectors of the Municipality of Caxias do Sul, RS, through selective collection. To this end, hazardous wastes that reach two associations of waste pickers were identified and classified, identifying risks to the health of these workers and the environment that may occur due to the inadequate management of these wastes and to analyze changes in the quality of waste in an economic crisis situation. This is a documentary and field research carried out by means of characterization of hazardous waste, from the selective collection of the Municipality of Caxias do Sul, RS, during a week in two Associations of selected collectors. The results showed that there is an expressive amount of hazardous waste inappropriately discarded by the population as selective waste, such as: syringes with needles; medicines; ampoules; stacks; lamps; batteries; gloves of procedure; insecticides; poison for pests; and potentially harmful material such as glass. The results also showed that health service waste was also found in the selective collection, and poses a risk to the health of the collectors, being able to transmit diseases such as hepatitis, besides causing labor injuries that make it impossible to continue the work rhythm. Regarding the economic analysis, it was noticed a decrease in the generation of waste by the population between 2014 and 2015, reflecting the decrease in the income of the collectors in the associations, who needed to recycle residues of lesser commercial value such as glass, previously considered waste, to improve its income. In short, the inappropriate disposal of hazardous wastes in selective waste collection often causes irreparable damage to the life of the waste pickers, which make the waste their means of subsistence.