O programa municipal de coleta seletiva de lixo de Palmas – TO: da origem à destinação final

Abstract

Following the guidelines of environmental legislation, modified nowadays, the municipalities started to implement selective waste collection programs. This study aimed to carry out an integrated analysis of the Municipal Program for Selective Collection Palmas - PMCSLP, from the origin of the materials to their final destination, obtaining information in the sources, processing and final disposal sites. The twenty-five (25) most used indices in Brazil to characterize selective collection programs were calculated, among which, the one that revealed that the percentage of population served by selective collection is only 1%. Analysis of the one hundred and seventy one recyclable material source, that nowadays contribute to the PMCSLP, were carried out. The two scavengers organizations that together process about 55 tons of recyclable materials per month were characterized. By monitoring the organizations it was possible to realize the absence of the state and the poor working conditions to which they are subjected. The final destination is the most organized part of the process as it is done by large companies, always well structured. The study presents a reliable diagnosis of the complex practical reality of PMCSLP, presenting new information and that were generated for the first time.