A coleta seletiva de Natal-RN: uma avaliação utilizando índice de sustentabilidade

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the Natal-RN selective collection program from 2013 to 2016. The program is operated by two recyclable waste pickers’ cooperatives. Despite its implementation in 2003, no management evaluation tools have been applied yet. The methodology includes the sustainability index comprised of sixteen indicators grouped in five aspects. The indicators’ evaluation is made according to the descriptors of each one of them, scoring in a scale from zero to one, after the qualitative or quantitative analysis of each indicator. The sustainability index is determined by the relationship between the sum of the indicator's product and its weight and the sum of the weights, and it is transformed into a qualitative assessment from very unfavorable to very favorable. The data used for determining the indicators were obtained from the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS), from official information from the municipal company, and from an on-site evaluation through a checklist applied in cooperatives, as well as scientific articles about the project. According to the results, the selective collection of Natal-RN ranged from unfavorable in 2013 to favorable in the following years. However, the value of 0.52 is on the lower scale of the favorable classification, which can reach 0.75. This indicates the program needs investments to be improved. The most inefficient indicators presented are those related to community service, environmental education and dissemination, inclusion of loose collectors, population adherence and recovery of recyclables.