Realidade e perspectivas dos catadores da coleta seletiva informal da cidade de Uberlândia

Abstract

Garbage is still one of the greatest social and environmental problems in Brazil today. In a scenario marked by the accumulation of waste in the environment, added to social exclusion and the need for income, the garbage collectors appeared. They are necessary for the environment by reducing the amount of waste on the streets and facilitating recycling systems. In addition, they are also essential in the social sphere, after all it is an opportunity for work and income for an excluded part of society. Based on this perspective, the present study aimed to assess socioeconomic aspects and working conditions of recyclable material collectors in the city of Uberlandia in the face of the Brazilian reality. For this, interviews were conducted with 30 waste pickers in the city from January to March 2019. It was identified that there is a predominance of male individuals, aged 36 to 55, single, with elementary education, living in their own residence, with average income of R $ 902.84. In general, they work more than 8 hours a day, 7 times a week. The results of the research show that, despite the importance of this professional for the environment, they do not feel valued by society and need actions by the public authorities and social agents for their social and economic development.