Three decades of source-separation collection of recycling materials in São Francisco (Niterói/RJ, Brazil): lessons and perspectives

ABSTRACT

This work presents the results of an assessment of source-separation collection of recycling materials in São Francisco neighborhood of Niterói municipality in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, after 28 years of uninterrupted operation. Main positives aspects are highlighted: its contribution to the dissemination of recycling activity, presently established as a legal municipality obligation by National Policy of Solid Waste (PNRS); the local population participation all these years; and the pertinence feeling of the residents with the project by the fact of the recycling activity be managed by residents' association, the Community Center of São Francisco (CCSF). Also it is highlighted the recovery of cultural materials whose in the mingled waste collection would be thrown out, or in the traditional source-separated collection would be sold as recycling material. Selling an average of 22 tons of recycling materials per month, São Francisco source-separation collection have not been able to cover the costs of the 4 employees and equipment maintenance. So it depends of financial help to exist and may contribute to the reflection about the funding sources to implement recycling collection in the Brazilian municipalities as established by PNRS.

Keywords:
urban waste management; recycling; source-separation collection.