ASPECTOS ECONÔMICOS E STATUS DA SITUAÇÃO DA COLETA E RECICLAGEM DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS URBANOS NA CIDADE DE PATOS-PB

Abstract

The work aimed to identify how the dynamics of collection of recyclable solid urban waste in the city of Patos-PB, Brazil is, its market and destination. The methodology adopted was through interviews with the target audience and a questionnaire was applied to four types of social groups involved: the waste pickers on the city streets, the waste pickers at the dump, the waste pickers association and the waste dealers. The analyzes were carried out using mathematical tools and content analysis of the responses. 203 autonomous waste pickers on the city streets, 48 waste pickers at the dump, 29 waste dealers and the Association of Waste Pickers of Patos-PB were interviewed. It was found that working and health conditions are precarious, although a significant part of the interviewees do not have a real sense of the risks to which they are subjected. As for the dynamic market, it appears that, between the collector and the industry, there are a series of intermediaries, forming a hierarchical chain. The value of the merchandise is added to each level of the chain, and the one that least profits in the process is the collector. The Association of Waste Pickers has the minimum necessary structure, works in an idle way, due to the lack of more members and the lack of waste separation/collection in the city (population and commerce). The city lacks a recycling industry, which could greatly improve revenue maintenance at local level. All groups interviewed need more information, training and support from public managers to improve management, income and living conditions.