Estudo exploratório inicial sobre a gestão de resíduos sólidos em Atibaia–SP: desafios e oportunidades de melhorias

Abstract

In the Brazilian context, by 2025, the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) marks its 15th anniversary, standing out for one of its maen principles: shared responsibility for the product life cycle, in which public authorities, manufacturers, as well as consumers share responsibility for the impacts resulting from waste generation. In this context, the main objective of this study is to conduct an initial exploratory assessment of solid waste management in the municipality of Atibaia. The research examined two settings: the practices of waste generation and management within a residential complex, and the dynamics involved in the operations of a local recycling cooperative. To this end, the study adopted a mixed quantitative–qualitative approach to preliminarily explore the urban solid waste context in the city. Based on data analysis, structural, operational, and occupational safety challenges were identified within the cooperative, in addition to difficulties related to residents’ engagement in proper waste separation and disposal. The study also found a lack of continuous environmental education initiatives and communication among the involved actors, which poses risks to the efficiency of the recycling process. Drawing from this diagnosis, a guide was developed proposing improvements aimed at community awareness and the implementation of more efficient waste management measures. Thus, the study reinforces the importance of integrating public authorities, cooperatives, and the community to strengthen sustainable urban solid waste management practices and contribute to the objectives of the PNRS.