ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTION, OF URBAN SOLID RESIDUES AND THE COLLECTION SERVICE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY: A CONCEPTION IN THE CITIZEN'S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the environmental perception of a group of social actors about environmental issues. The study carried out characterized a group of social actors and their perceptions about solid residues and the solid residues collection system, a service provided by the Municipality of Santa Helena, a small city located in the West of Paraná, Brazil. Through free observation, the local environment and certain problems generated by solid residues in the environment were characterized. As research instrument, photographic images and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain information. As result, it was registered that the participating social actors perceive certain impacts generated by solid residues and identify culturally engendered local habits that contribute to the occurrence of negative environmental impacts, such as inappropriate practices in the separation and disposal of solid residues.