O Trabalho dos Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis e Reutilizáveis em São Luís no Contexto do Maranhão Contemporâneo

Abstract

These are the results of a master's dissertation on the performance, organization and work developed by collectors of recyclable and reusable materials in the context of the contemporary state of Maranhão, including the associated collectors who work in São Luis. The research was carried out through bibliographic research, analysis of technical reports, subsequent collection of official data (IBGE, SNIS), namely final disposal of municipal solid waste, presence of collectors and collector villages near landfills, field visits to municipal landfills and interviews with associated collectors who work in São Luís. The socioeconomic situation of the collectors is dramatic, many work in landfills in totally unsanitary conditions and without any visibility from the government or society, the presence of collectors under 14 years old, and collector villages near final disposal units such as landfills are a reality of social and environmental crisis. There are only 5 sorting shed-type units operated by collectors in the state of Maranhão. In São Luís, the collectors are organized, work in recycling sorting units, receive material donations and establish partnerships with the government, state departments and private institutions. However, they live on an income below 1 minimum wage, with no employment guarantees or FGTS. The drop in the price of recyclable material is one of the main problems, and all the material collected and sorted by the collectors is sold to middlemen, who sell to companies located in other states, São Paulo, Pará, Ceará and Santa Catarina.