Analysis of social and environmental aspects about composting

Abstract

The current form of management of the organic municipal solid waste has been causing socio-environmental impacts, affecting both the physical and the biological environment and may also impact on issues of economic order and the health of the population. Shared responsibility for the life cycle of waste organic demands the active participation of citizens and the environmental perception of individuals on the subject is essential, since they become co-responsible for solutions to the problem. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic and motivational profile of social actors who generate household organic waste for adherence to composting systems. For this purpose, an anonymous online questionnaire was applied and the results showed that most of the interviewees were interested in developing composting, as well as aware of its environmental importance, but needed educational stimulation on the process of treating organic waste. Thus, public policies were proposed to assist in the planning of actions for the treatment of organic waste in composting systems.