Gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos nos Portos Organizados Brasileiros

Abstract

Despite their indispensability for the global economy, Ports generate a series of socio-environmental impacts. Among the resulting consequences, solid waste, considered one of the biggest environmental problems, is a major obstacle to the efficiency of port environmental management, due to its complexity, its generation and disposal. Thus, aiming to reduce the ecological damage caused by these materials, the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) authorized the preparation of the Solid Waste Management Plan (PGRS) by Brazilian Ports. That said, the objective of this research is to propose a framework model with improvements regarding PGRS in Brazilian Organized Ports. To this end, the following specific objectives were raised: a) identify the main topics and contents set out in the PGRS of Brazilian Organized Ports; b) analyze the quality of information made available by the PGRS of Brazilian Organized Ports; c) Identify the analysis categories for the framework model. To achieve the proposed objectives, documentary research was used as a source of data collection and, subsequently, content and comparative analyzes were carried out on the information contained in 24 PGRS belonging to Brazilian organized ports. As established by the specific objectives, the topics and contents set out in the PGRS were allocated into 8 analysis categories, namely: a) general aspects of the document; b) specificity of ports; c) waste specifications; d) waste management stages; e) planning, control and monitoring; f) development and training of human resources; g) social benefits generated; h) periodicity of the document. The results achieved show that despite the PGRS being established as an important component of the ports' environmental license, obstacles to the efficiency of managing this waste were found, such as: a) the lack of standardization of documents; b) the unavailability of necessary and legally mandatory information, such as the periodicity of documents and the quantification of solid waste; c) the low quality of the information presented. In view of this, the unavailability of data required by Brazilian legislation points to the unfeasibility of controlling and monitoring the generation and disposal of solid waste, hindering future scientific research responsible for bringing innovations associated with combating environmental damage, as well as hindering and reducing the efficiency of institutional and governmental actions that aim to control the impacts caused by the generation and disposal of solid waste. This research aims to make contributions in the socio-environmental sphere, through the optimization of solid waste management and the incorporation of logistical partners in these operations, such as collectors' associations and recycling cooperatives, as well as generating benefits aimed at port environmental management itself, such as construction of adequate, objective and transparent PGRS that comply with the requirements granted by Brazilian legislation. Finally, studies are recommended that use field research methodology to investigate whether the actions described in each Port's PGRS are, in fact, being carried out; and studies that implement the developed PGRS model, aiming to monitor the changes made and make possible improvements in the management of solid waste in ports.