Diagnóstico dos resíduos sólidos urbanos: uma aplicação do sistema de indicadores de sustentabilidade pressão-estado-impacto-resposta (PEIR) na cidade de Campina Grande - PB.

Abstract

Numerous changes in the dynamics of society have caused the environment to show a state of imbalance, a fact that has aroused the concern of both a portion of society and researchers. In this context, the concept of Sustainable Development comes out. One of the changes resulting from the development of this concept was the document known as Agenda 21, which provided further concern about the state of the environment by presenting the main aspects to be discussed and worked on behalf of Sustainable Development. The discussion about solid waste, which has drawn the attention of scholars and public managers, was given more emphasis among the discussed issues, not only because it represents an environmental problem through pollution of water and soil, but also because it is a matter of social and economic order. The general goal of this work consists in developing a diagnosis about the problem of solid waste in Campina Grande-PB by applying the System of Indicators of the Sustainability Pressure-State-Impact-Response (PEIR, in Portuguese ) adapted by Silva (2010). The formulation of the diagnosis was based on data collection, and primary and secondary information, as well as the use of non-participant observation, which allowed the triangulation of data held in a way to favor the process of analysis of the variables in the context of the research. The high volume of waste produced by the population caused strong pressures to be observed, besides the existence of an environment which is highly affected due to the lack of essential elements to treat such waste. The impacts resulting from this situation and the responses that the municipal government and society have developed towards them were also noted. Campina Grande presents a number of shortcomings concerning the issue of solid waste mainly because the city has a processing unit where waste treatment does not occur. One can then point out the needs to develop initiatives to reduce the problems caused by these inadequacies in order to contribute positively to the sustainability of the municipality.