Ações de sustentabilidade da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia na gestão de resíduos sólidos

Abstract

Humanity has sought solutions to everyday problems through sustainable practices, but balancing economy, society, and the environment remains a challenge for citizens, companies, and public bodies alike. Public authorities, in particular, must implement actions that ensure the integration of socio-environmental issues into the decision-making process, especially in the development of public policies. Thus, the implementation and monitoring of sustainability actions are fundamental in companies and organizations across all sectors of society. From this perspective, this study presents, in chapters, literature reviews on topics such as reverse logistics, instruments for achieving sustainability, and solid waste, as well as an analysis of sustainability initiatives implemented at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) and in the management of the main solid waste generated by the daily activities of professors, students, technicians, and outsourced staff. The aim was to identify opportunities for future implementations of reverse logistics programs, allowing the reintegration of this waste into the production process or its proper disposal, in order to outline the institution's current sustainable scenario. Several questions were raised: What types of waste are generated? How is this waste disposed of? Is the reuse of materials through selective collection a practice that has been adopted? The methodology was developed in four phases aiming to collect information, discuss related aspects, and organize results and perspectives for improvement and advancements in solid waste management. Regarding environmental education, considering the existence of environmental disciplines in courses offered by UFU (Federal University of Uberlândia), it was observed that 52.97% of undergraduate courses offer at least one discipline related to the environment. Actions should be promoted with constant campaigns to broaden the reach of socio-environmental awareness among students. There has been significant growth in environmental projects, programs, and events over the years. Concerning policies and higher education institutions, the organizational structures of sustainability in Minas Gerais federal universities reveal different approaches and implementation strategies. Of the 11 universities in Minas Gerais, 7 have a Sustainable Logistics Plan, and only 3 have adhered to the Environmental Agenda in Public Administration (A3P). Regarding waste management, UFU has achieved notable progress in reducing the consumption of materials such as paper, toner, and used cups. Between 2014 and 2022, paper consumption fell from 57,203.95 kg to 8,577 kg, and toner consumption decreased by up to 85%. Regarding selective waste collection, the institution, through partnerships with Associations of Waste Pickers and Recyclers in Uberlândia, ensures the proper disposal of dry waste such as paper, plastic, cardboard, PET bottles, scrap metal, and rejects. However, there is still no comprehensive system for waste such as used cooking oil, writing instruments, discarded small electrical appliances, and everyday items like dishwashing sponges, which already have reverse logistics systems in other institutions. Therefore, it was possible to diagnose the role of logistical plans and public policies at UFU (Federal University of Uberlândia) that promote the expansion of solid waste management actions, including reverse logistics, as already occurs individually in other federal universities.