Percepção ambiental sobre a gestão dos resíduos sólidos no município de Itaituba - PA: área urbana e área rural

Abstract

One of the significant problems we face is the generation of domestic solid waste. Most Brazilian municipalities still dispose of their waste in landfills. Solid waste disposal is a problem that needs to be discussed in rural areas since municipalities often need to collect garbage more frequently due to their distance from urban centers. The inadequate solid waste management in rural and urban regions immediately impacts the environment and health. The methodology used in this research was a qualitative and quantitative approach to obtain descriptive data through questionnaires applied to the target audience. The information collected was tabulated with descriptive statistics and analyzed to present a text capable of transmitting concise, coherent, and reliable information about the studied scenario. This study explores the environmental perception of solid waste management in two different locations in the municipality of Itaituba - PA. The first location chosen was the Bairro da Liberdade, located in the urban area, where 117 interviews were conducted. The second location is the Community of Vicinal do Cacau, situated in a rural area, and 15 interviews were conducted. As a result, residents of both regions presented different perceptions regarding solid waste management; it can be concluded that both locations have some problems regarding solid waste, and it was noted that the environmental perception of the subject in both areas is related to their culture, education, way of life and the place where they live, among others. This study is highly relevant for guiding waste management decisions, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the current environmental problems generated by solid waste. It is an efficient and appropriate tool to enable pertinent decision-making and thus guide studies on the subject for the Amazon region.