Reverse Logistics and selective waste collection: environmental education as an auxiliary tool on the process of recycling of domestic electronic waste

Abstract

The general objective of this work was to analyze from the perspective of reverse logistics, the contribution of environmental education as a tool of management of selective collection of waste in the context of recycling of domestic electronic waste in the city of Manaus. In relation of the methodology, it is a field research carried out through a study case at Descarte Correto company, accomplished in the Municipal Department of Cleaning and Public Services (SEMULSP, in Portuguese) and application of questionnaire to 16 reclyable waste collectors of Alianca Cooperative in Manaus, what made possible to reach the aims of this work, also focusing on the environmental and social benefits came from reverse logistics. The outcomes revealed that in Brazil the iniciatives to the solution of electronic waste problem are still incipient. In the city of Manaus then are almost nonexistent. In fact, at local level, what takes place are some initiatives, as the ones developed by Descarte Correto company and of some cooperatives. Nevertheless, manauara society are not aware yet, as it should, to the issue of electronic waste and to the importance of Selective Waste Collection (SWC) and of reverse logistics. Therefore, it proved, despite incipient, some individual or corporate actions which addresses the issue of electronic waste as of vital importance in contemporary society.