Educação ambiental e organização de catadores de materiais recicláveis em Cuiabá-MT : reflexões e práticas no ensino de geografia

Abstract

The present study is inserted in the line of research Transversal Axis: Teaching Geography, focused on the discussion of the school context. The research raises the issue of the inclusion of Environmental Education as an interdisciplinary theme in Geography classes, through the investigation and analysis of the various socioenvironmental impacts caused by consumerism, and the often inappropriate disposal of solid wastes. Its objective is to analyze the process of creation and the performance of two cooperatives of waste pickers in Cuiabá –MT, which are Coopermar and Coopunião, and to address socioenvironmental problems arising from the inadequate disposal of solid waste, in order to contribute to the debate on how to carry out environmental education actions in the school environment. In fact, the research is based on the literary revision of the theoreticalmethodological matrices, which allows the discussion of the theme, based on critical geography. For this purpose, was used the studies of Logarezzi (2004 e 2004); Cantóia (2007 e 2012); Gonçalves (2006) e Silva (2009). For its development, we made use of job to the two Cooperative units, and the Cuiabá dump to collect information on processes of collection and disposal of waste, and mapping of locations. After these data collection and organization the research carries out dialogues with the environmental education in the context lived by the students of the basic network of education. Inorder to do this, we delimit as a locus of the research two State Schools of the Public Network of Teaching of Cuiabá-MT, which are: Escola Estadual Pascoal Moreira Cabral e Escola Estadual Francisco Alexandre Ferreira Mendes. The practical interventions in class were developed in two classes of the ninth year of Elementary School. Among the actions already carried out, it was discussed the growing production of non-durable goods that causes excessive consumption and, therefore, the generation of waste that is often discarded without treatment. Also the common and selective waste disposal processes and the types of waste disposal were presented, as regards the local reality, from these actions defined as part of the work methodology to organize in partnership with the students a group that would incorporate the reading of subjects on the theme with the objective of fomenting the debate and their participation in the production of a primer of environmental education. It was verified that the disposition of the waste happens in an incorrect way, that is, without adequate treatment, which causes the contamination of the soil, air and water. Another aggravating factor is the presence of recyclable waste collectors under vulnerable conditions, exposed to the danger of contamination, risks of accidents and other ills. Therefore, it is considered necessary, in addition to public policies and laws, their practice in the reality lived. Environmental education needs to be seen as an activity that integrates knowledge, seeking through pedagogical practices, actions that value students' critical and reflective thinking in relation to socio-environmental problems, as well as the awakening of values and changing habits.