Percepção ambiental da comunidade do sítio Balsamo acerca da implantação de aterro sanitário no município de São João do Rio do Peixe – PB.

Abstract

The growing increase in consumption in modern society results in a series of social and environmental problems. One of them is the large amount of solid waste generated, which is not managed properly and efficiently, resulting in the majority of large tons of materials being deposited in landfills. One of the alternatives to this problem is the construction of landfills as a means of managing and properly disposing of waste. Given this, the general objective of this work is to analyze the community's environmental perception regarding the implementation of the Sanitary Landfill at Sítio Bálsamo, in the municipality of São João do Rio do Peixe, State of Paraíba. Specifically, the objective was to reflect on the aspects that diverge and converge in the relationship between environmental preservation and the implementation of landfills for the disposal of solid urban waste and, to understand the perceptions of the social subjects of the Sítio Balsamo community. To achieve the results, bibliographic and documentary research techniques were used, with a qualitative studies approach, using forms with open and closed questions. The results confirmed the hypothesis of this work, which showed that the community did not participate in the process of choosing the area to install the landfill. The perceptions demonstrate that the majority of interviewees are aware of the concepts of solid waste, garbage and landfill, as well as the environmental and social problems arising from RS. They know the importance of having a landfill to store RS and thus avoid the generation of diseases and environmental problems. However, they were against the implementation of the landfill in the community due to the fact that it would cause risks to public health and the environment, due to the proximity of water bodies and homes; Through demonstrations at the city hall of São João do Rio do Peixe, they managed to legally nullify the landfill. Therefore, the study of the environmental perception of communities, which are the target of environmental liabilities by private sector entrepreneurs, is relevant as an instrument for public and environmental policies, since these communities are often not heard in decisions.