A reciclagem como fonte geradora de renda e sua contribuição para o processo de desenvolvimento sustentável.

Abstract

Recycling is an important tool for promoting sustainable development as it reduces the use of virgin raw materials and limits the use of scarce resources, reducing the progressive accumulation of waste; besides its side effects and pollution, causing health problems among others. At the base of the recycling system are the pickers, who are the workers who pick, select and sell recyclable materials such as paper, glass, metal, plastic and other reusable materials. The objective of this research was to verify the income earned and the contribution to the sustainable development process deriving from the activity of collecting recyclable materials. The proposed study had been conduted at Cajazeiras Waste Pickers Association (ASCAMARC), in this city, Alto Sertão da Paraíba, where the population and sample are made up of 13 members, who actively participate in ASCAMARC. The content analysis technique was used, through transcripts of interviews with the target audience, and documents from secondary sources, and the data collected were also analyzed in quantitative form. The results show that 12 (92.31%) collectors earn less than one wage and 01 (7.69%) collectors earn a minimum salary through the activity of collecting recyclable material and that there is currently a great concern about the damage generated to the environment by solid wastes that have long degradation time. It was found that 13 (100%) collectors believe that the activity of collecting recyclable materials contributes to the environment. It is concluded from the results obtained the social, economic and environmental importance of the work of collectors, despite the precarious conditions that perform the activity, without their participation in the base of the recycling chain, the environmental situation would be more chaotic in recent times.