As experiências laborais de catadores no município de Feliz-RS : contribuições educativas para a logística reserva informal de resíduos sólidos urbanos

Abstract

This thesis is based on the experiences of the collectors at the city of Feliz-RS and the educational contributions to the solid waste reverse logistics, and aims, as a general objective, to understand the experiences of the waste pickers in the city of Feliz-RS, relating them to the possible contributions to the constitution of a reverse (informal) logistics; as well as to systematize the knowledge and educational processes built up in their work experiences. In order to achieve this general objective, three specific objectives were established: to contextualize the scope of action of the waste pickers in the city of Feliz-RS, seeking to understand their relations with the society in which they live; to verify the knowledge and educational processes constituted in their experiences and tasks; and to discuss the educational contributions that the action of the collectors provokes for the cycle of Reverse Logistics. The thesis contextualizes the thematic, inserting itself in a field of research that is growing continuously, especially after the promulgation of the National Policy on Solid Waste (PNRS). As a research method, the qualitative approach is adopted, with "interactive" observation and comprehensive interviews with the collectors. From the observations, it is concluded that the collectors of the municipality are called "recyclers", a choice marked by the dispute and construction of the labor identities. In addition, the routes traveled for the search and selection of the residues and the use of their houses, which do the times of screening centers, represent an obstacle to be overcome and limit the efficiency of their performance. Within this social field in which they are inserted, the scavengers construct rules and experience disputes over space and position, although there is, in fact, a coexistence of respect for the performance of others. Relations with the intermediaries are also pervaded by their own disputes and regulations, and they conform to time. From the comprehensive interviews, the developed knowledge (informal education) was detailed through the work of the collectors and the relations and disputes that are constructed with the local Government and with the society. They were also questioned about the possibility of entering the formal labor market and working in a cooperative or associated way; in this regard, entering the formal labor market is a constant pursuit for many of the collectors, while the great majority rejects working collectively. Finally, the contributions that the collectors offer to society and to the Government of Feliz-RS are pointed out.