SELECTIVE COLLECTION: INFLUENCE ON THE WASTE DISPOSAL HABITS OF THE POPULATION IN LAVRAS, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of selective collection on household solid waste disposal habits in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, specifically in the neighborhoods: São Vicente, Caminho das Águas and Dona Flor, where selective collection was recently implemented; and in Condomínio Flamboyants, Monte Líbano and Jardim Eldorado, where selective collection had already been in operation for at least five years. In October 2013, a questionnaire on socioeconomic factors and habits of waste disposal was applied to the neighborhoods, which included the form of separating waste for selective collection and the disposal of special household waste. It was found that the population should be better informed about solid waste, especially in regard to the form of separation. It was concluded that implementation of a selective collection process without awareness of the citizens is not a guarantee of good results regarding the participation of the population, nor with regards to effective separation of residues that can be recycled.