Saúde ambiental no assentamento Fazenda Nova Tangará, município de Uberlândia – MG: entre a educação ambiental e os desafios estruturais sobre a temática do lixo

Abstract

Introduction: This study refers to a master’s dissertation project whose theme is the disposal of domestic solid waste in the Fazenda Nova Tangará Settlement, in the municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, reflecting on environmental education and the structural challenges of rural areas. It identifies the different forms of disposal given to domestic solid waste generated by families, seeking to understand the factors that lead to the observed practices. Objective: To understand the perceptions of the rural population of the settlement regarding environmental issues related to the disposal of domestic solid waste. Methodology: A structured and semi-structured questionnaire was used as the research instrument, delivered personally to each resident. The study adopted a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, aiming to deepen the understanding of the topic, as well as incorporating an ethnographic perspective. The qualitative data provided a more in-depth and contextualized understanding of the phenomena studied. Results and Discussion: The results reinforce the need for waste management policies in rural areas to be accompanied by continuous environmental education programs that promote community engagement and dialogue among residents, local leaders, and public authorities. Conclusion: The findings from the interviews and theoretical reflections reveal a complex picture of the relationships between territory, health, environmental education, and public policies in the rural context. Beyond identifying disposal practices or structural gaps, this study made it possible to understand how waste is embedded in the daily lives of the residents of the Fazenda Nova Tangará Settlement as an environmental, sanitary, and social issue, as well as an expression of historical conditions of vulnerability and the absence of sustained public policies. It is concluded that solid waste management in rural areas requires an integrated approach, social sensitivity, and political commitment. Public policies provide important guidelines, but their effectiveness depends on the presence of the State, community organization, and the critical awareness of individuals.