As relações entre o poder público e as associações de catadores à luz da política nacional de resíduos sólidos – um estudo de caso

Abstract

One of the objectives of the National Solid Waste Management Policy - ‘Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos’ (PNRS) is the integration of collectors of reusable and recyclable materials sharing management of the solid waste. In order to accomplish that, the PNRS encourages the development of cooperatives and other systems of associations. Under the PNRS, the relationship between the public administration in Inhambupe (BA) and the associates of a local cooperative (COOCAI - The Reusable and Recyclable Material Collectors Association - ‘Associação dos Catadores de Material Reutilizavel and Reciclavel’ of Inhambupe), created in 2013 and supported by the municipality, was studied. Currently, the COOCAI has 12 members, and the socioeconomic profile revealed a majority of women, between 40-50 years of age. The COOCAI has its own headquarters, but the building does not have electrical power, resulting in limitation of the commercial logistic for the members, so they are able to collect only 100kg/day of recyclable material. Municipal Managers, who have strategic role in the research objective, were interviewed. The municipality has inaccurate statistics, and many managers don't believe in an effective participation of the collectors at the management process. Furthermore, it was found that some managers have no knowledge of the PNRS, and the lack of communication between the different agencies was evident. Overall this analysis reveals that the lack of knowledge of the developments of the PNRS, and the inefficiency of the isolated actions result in the COOCAI structural vulnerability. This pessimistic scenario suggests uncertain development of solid waste management in Inhambupe, until changes inapproach of the public managers, and a big cooperative organization takes place.