Overview of the Project “Adote uma Escola”: a case study in the schools in the municipality of Pelotas-Brazil

Abstract

The need to promote the management of solid waste generated in the municipality of Pelotas-RS allowed a partnership of the municipal sanitation agency with educational institutions of the municipality, through the Adopt a School Project (AUE), aiming to advance the selective collection of recyclable waste in the different neighborhoods of the city. Given the time of operation of the AUE, the study seeks to carry out an evaluation and diagnosis on the situation of the AUE concerning the management of solid waste recyclable in 62 educational institutions of the public and private network. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive survey was conducted, using a structured questionnaire. The results showed a significant increase in the number of participating schools, showing that municipal elementary schools stood out in working on the issue of solid waste through the Chi-Squared test (P < 0,05). In addition to inadequate waste segregation, lack of infrastructure, and gaps in environmental education practices in schools. Considering that, despite the limitations, the project contributes to the improvement of the management of solid recyclable waste in educational institutions and assists in municipal selective collection, in addition to strengthening public policies in the area of environment and education, assisting in the process of citizen training and the construction of environmental sustainability.

Keywords:
Awareness; Waste management; Schools; Educational projects