COLETA SELETIVA POR MEIO DE PEV’S EM GUARAPUAVA-PR: UMA AVALIAÇÃO SOB A PERSPECTIVA DA POPULAÇÃO

Abstract

Managing urban solid waste presents several challenges, with a pivotal focus on reducing the volume of waste directed to sanitary landfills. Achieving this goal mandates the establishment of effective system of selective collection that relies on consistent engagement from the involved population. In the city of Guarapuava, Paraná, alongside the established door-to-door selective collection system, a pilot project was introduced: the Voluntary Drop-off Points (PEV’s) in the Bairro dos Estados. Prior to this, the effectiveness of this system had not been evaluated. In light of this, the present study aimed to analyze the participation, awareness, and satisfaction in selective waste collection among residents participating in the new system. Supplementary to on-site observations, a structured questionnaire was systematically presented to 325 residents. The observations revealed several challenges related to the maintenance, use, and operation of the PEVs, including incidents of vandalism, graffiti, improper waste segregation, disposal of incompatible materials, overfilled PEVs, and the absence of mechanized trucks for recycling collection. The surveyed population displayed a certain level of knowledge on the subject, with the majority claiming regular participation in selective collection. Awareness appeared to be linked to participants' educational levels, in contrast to participation, which showed no correlation with education. In terms of environmental education, about half of the participants claimed to have had none contact with city hall guidelines at the time the system was implemented. Noteworthy among the findings is that over 70% of the respondents claim to be satisfied with the new system. For participants who registered as dissatisfied, a predominant factor cited (15.38%) is the substantial distance one must traverse to access waste disposal points. In addition, dissatisfaction with the system is shown directly proportional to the distance traveled by the participant to the PEV. When comparing the data from the applied instrument to the previously reported on-site observation, a substantial divergence can be observed in the results. Notably, it has been ascertained that several immediate measures are imperative to ensure the program's sustained effectiveness. These encompass a specialized vehicle equipped to lift PEV’s for selective collection, alongside the repositioning and organization of PEV’s in adherence to assigned color codes, in positions that do not interfere with traffic flow. Despite the challenges faced by Guarapuava's waste management, these obstacles can be overcome with unwavering commitment, active community engagement, and appropriate resource allocation. The findings of this research, as well as the produced questionnaire, can serve as an instrument for gathering information that can improve selective collection systems through PEV’s.