Do catar papelão à venda de aparas: estudo dos processos de trabalho dos catadores de papelão da cidade de Manaus-AM

Abstract

The study addressed the process of working people, called "pickers" who collect recyclable materials, particularly scrap of cardboard. The work done by the collectors of scrap cardboard occupies a central place in the lives of those who perform it, because, besides being a means of survival, is also a means of social integration, which enables the relationship between people and the feeling of belonging to a group. The survey was conducted in the South Zone, encompassing the city center of Manaus, where we selected three combinations (ALLIANCE, AND ECO-RECICLA ARPA) that work exclusively with scavenging scraps of cardboard. The process of industrialization in the Industrial Pole of Manaus and local businesses not only contribute to environmental degradation but also to the emergence of new social categories such as professional scavengers of cardboard. For this work, we understand that the city of Manaus there is a significant amount of leftover scraps of cardboard, where scavengers bound associations collect this material, so we need is to understand how this process works today and how the process of work done by these social actors. The aim of this study was to delineate the living conditions and talk through the characterization work processes carried out by scavengers of cardboard from Manaus-AM. The methodology used in this study was an exploratory qualitative research, through the forms, interviews, participant observation, oral history and geospatial technologies. According to results it was found that there is a small number of women on the streets picking up cardboard, they prefer to separate the material for recycling, organizing the sale and attend meetings representing the associations. The survey showed that 20% of the pickers had never attended school and other 70.0% responded that they have incomplete primary education and only 10.0% completed high school. Of the total number of collectors only 25.0% were born in the city of Manaus, while 75.0% were born elsewhere. About 85.0% of the collectors who own their own homes while 15.0% live in rented accommodation. According to the survey, despite the disease - especially the skin - they are very common among most collectors of cardboard, they do not link to their health, not binding them to the status of their work. Regarding the problem of alcoholism among collectors of cardboard, the survey data showed that 64.28% of respondents said that there are problems with alcohol and 28.5% said no. Regarding the working day was found to range from 9 to 15 hours weekly. As for monthly income, these range from £ 540.00 to 1.080.00, while the monthly average is $ 810.00. In the city of Manaus scavenging cardboard is held mainly by associations (Alliance, Arpa, Eco-Recycle) of reusable and recyclable, the workers perform the recycling collection service, material separation, pressing and baling of cardboard in different sizes . Although present in summary form. These actors begin their work scavenging material in the streets of inner cities and gather in the courtyards of the industries, after the selection process, this material is separated, weighed, pressed and finally tied it with bales of different sizes to marketing . The definition of collection sites has been established for many years, there are cases of scavengers collecting cardboard for 10 or 17 years, the center part of the routine of many collectors. Therefore, the space occupied, the area becomes a reference for the collector belonging. We can say it was an odd experience, to study the working process of the cardboard collectors in the city of Manaus, and see it through the eyes of a researcher, the situation of these social actors, as they enjoy what they do, we also found the possibility for change and solutions for the best development work. Also, realize that the work done by the collectors of cardboard are fundamental to the promotion of recycling and, consequently, to build a world natural and ecologically healthy, as it brings environmental benefits by saving natural resources, energy and water, beyond the undoubted environmental aspect.