CITIZEN-LED SELECTIVE WASTE COLLECTION: THE ROLE OF FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE SOCIOECONOMIC INCLUSION OF RECYCLABLE MATERIAL COLLECTORS

Abstract

The growth of municipal solid waste generation and low recycling rates in Brazil underscore the need to strengthen public policies focused on environmental management and the socio-productive inclusion of recyclable material collectors. In this context, this study analyzed the implementation of the ``Programa Coleta Seletiva Cidadã`` (Citizen Selective Waste Collection Program) across Federal Institution of Universities (IFES), identifying its implementation stage, regional distribution, and main challenges. This is an exploratory and descriptive mixed-methods study based on document analysis and a survey of institutional data from 96 IFES selected via simple random sampling. The results indicated heterogeneous implementation of the program: 43 institutions had already implemented it, 18 were in the implementation phase, and 35 had not yet started. Higher adoption rates were observed among universities and in the South and Southeast regions. Key obstacles included insufficient human resources, infrastructure and budget limitations, low awareness within the academic community, and difficulties in coordinating with qualified cooperatives. The study concludes that the program: ``Programa Coleta Seletiva Cidadã`` serves as an important tool for environmental management and socio-productive inclusion, although its effectiveness depends on institutional strengthening, environmental education, and coordination between IFES and waste collector organizations.