Waste Recycling, Environmental Education and Promotion of Decent Work in Ribeirão Preto (SP): Achievements, Setbacks and Challenges

Abstract

This article reflects achievements, setbacks and challenges of a Project of Culture and Extension of FDRP-USP with axis in solid waste policy and decent work in support of the Cooperative of Environmental Agents Mãos Dadas, which manages the recyclables in Ribeirão Preto, combined with about 15 institutions, among which, USP. The projetct includes scholars whose work includes conducting workshops with members, to optimize the cooperative work of redemption and self-esteem of the members. They participate of meetings of the Municipal Council of Environmental Defense in view of consolidating the fundamental rights of these individuals. The project's actions consists of dialogical processes, participative and collective construction of confronting challenges in sociojuridical processes and environmental perspective. There was resistance of public instances on hearsay these demands, either by bureaucratic obstacles presented, either for reasons of political electioneering interest. The actions taken have contributed to the empowerment of leaders of the cooperative. A critical situation has been reversed recently thanks to the solidarity and pressure network that formed around the Cooperative Project. The participants perform continuous diagnosis of the challenges and foster new paths and environmental solutions.