Percepções de alunos do ensino fundamental acerca dos resíduos sólidos e da reciclagem

Abstract

Population growth increases the consumption of products and, consequently, the generation of solid waste, causing significant environmental impacts. To minimize this problem, it is necessary to develop measures for the proper management of this waste and, from an early age, promote education on the reduction, separation, and recycling of materials, contributing to citizenship education and the construction of a more sustainable society. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the perceptions of elementary school students regarding solid waste and recycling through the development of didactic workshops on the topic in the school context. The research was conducted in a public school in the municipality of Santa Helena, Paraná, with the participation of 170 students from the 1st to the 5th grade of elementary school. The methodology adopted comprised a qualitative and quantitative approach, with the application of questionnaires before and after the educational workshops. The activities were developed through active, playful, and contextualized approaches, aiming to stimulate reflection, increase awareness, and encourage changes in students' habits regarding consumption, disposal, and waste management. The results suggest advances in students' perceptions, especially regarding the importance of selective waste collection, waste reduction, and responsible consumption. It is concluded that the continuous, critical, and participatory integration of Environmental Education can contribute to the formation of more conscious individuals, capable of adopting sustainable practices and promoting transformations in the school, family, and community environments.