Desafios e estratégias da gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos: um olhar sobre os pontos de entrega voluntária em Timon-MA

Abstract

The increasing generation of solid waste in Brazilian cities is one of the main environmental challenges driven by urban expansion, population growth, and contemporary production and consumption patterns, thus requiring efficient solutions from public authorities. Furthermore, poor solid waste management, especially the improper disposal of these materials, results in problems for public health, human quality oflife, and the environment. The study aimed to understand the solid waste management of municipality of Timon, in the state of Maranhão, through an investigation focused on Voluntary Delivery Points, by characterizing urban solid waste management, identifying Voluntary Delivery Points, and proposing improvements in waste management. The methodological procedure began with bibliographic research in scientific studies and was followed by documentary research on official national websites and municipal websites, in addition to data collection through interviews with city hall managers, complemented by photographic records and on-site visits. For spatial analysis, the software tools Google Earth Pro and Google Maps were used, in addition to the geoprocessing program QGIS 3.40.6 for map production, and the proposed improvements to address the weaknesses observed during the study. The results reveal weaknesses in waste management in Timon and the absence of selective collection, evidenced by the existence of only one recycling point without a public agreement, justifying the proposal to implement Voluntary Delivery Points in the municipality. Therefore, the study concluded that the municipality needs effective public policies for municipal waste management, such as the implementation of selective collection, due to its structural and administrative weaknesses.