A busca pela valorização social dos trabalhadores de materiais recicláveis : desafios e perspectivas profissionais

Abstract

The current Brazilian socioeconomic context has touched on social inequalities and environmental problems. In the meantime, there are those who live from informal jobs and who need to collect solid waste, commonly known as garbage, for their survival and that of their family, the recyclable collectors. The present study deals with the search for social valorization of workers of recyclable materials: challenges and professional perspectives. In this sense, the general objective of this study is to investigate how workers of recyclable materials can achieve improvements in their work activities aiming at the constitution of a professional identity and social valorization. This work bases its justification on the possibility of these professionals being auxiliaries in the process of environmental awareness of society, especially if we problematize, in different social spaces, including Professional Education, the relationship between Education and Work and Environmental Education. As reference authors, we rely on Frigotto (2001), Antunes (1995, 2001), Leff (2006), Santos (2005, 2018), among others, and the documents of the National Solid Waste Plan and the Environmental Plan of the Municipality of Santa Maria/RS. In order to achieve the results, the research was based on a qualitative methodology, in the form of a case study. The data collection instruments used were interviews with recyclable collectors from companies and/or associations in the city of Santa Maria/RS. After collecting and analyzing the data, the educational product was developed. It is a practical guide, containing speeches by some workers and with informative content about places for the correct disposal of waste and recycling in the municipality. The main results found in terms of workers' perspectives: make people aware of the importance of separating garbage; to be valued by people; I would like to have a badge and work with a formal contract. Among the challenges and difficulties were: not having anyone to leave the children with because of work; finding broken glass and other sharp materials, not being valued by people and among other data that are related to the three places where the interviews were carried out: Maringá Metais; ARSELE and Condomínio Moradas Santa Maria.