ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANAGEMENT HABITS OF RESIDENTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUARUJÁ, BRAZIL

Abstract

The world development of the last decades combined with the growth in the production of consumer goods has directly impacted the production of urban solid waste, becoming a major socio-environmental problem. It was in this scenario that in 2010 Law 12.305 called National Policy on Solid Waste was instituted, regulated by Decree No. 10.936/2022. The effectiveness of the actions required and recommended by this legislation is consolidated in the National Environmental Education Program and in the Environmental Education Policy. The general objective of this study was to know the level of environmental awareness and the habits of disposal of household waste of the residents of Guarujá, Brazil. The methodology adopted was based on a descriptive research with a qualitative and quantitative approach. A survey was carried out with 384 university students in the city. The results allowed us to conclude that there is a moderate environmental awareness regarding knowledge about the correct form of waste disposal, however, it is possible to affirm that they are not engaged in the adoption of environmentally responsible behaviors, given that the research revealed that 77% of respondents discard recyclable waste along with regular collection. In this scenario, environmental education must be promoted as a participatory and continuous process, promoting the capillarity of society and dialogue with the different levels of power, awakening a citizen attitude through a critical conscience and the acquisition of ecologically correct and responsible habits. of waste management that contribute to reducing or mitigating environmental degradation.