Environmental education in solid waste management: perspective in municipalities of Serrana Mesoregion of Santa Catarina

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the situation of 30 municipalities of Serrana Mesoregion of Santa Catarina regarding the inclusion of Environmental Education goals and actions. The methodology was based on the analysis of 2018 State Solid Waste Plan and the search and evaluation of the municipal and intermunicipal plan in city hall and consortiums. It was identified that, although 93.3% of the municipalities that have the goal of Environmental Education, none of them answered the specific question about the topic in the questionnaire applied by the current state plan. Resulting in a Environmental Education Program Implementation Index for Urban Solid Waste Management of 0%, lower than the goal established for the short term. Yet, 56.7% of the plans found are outdated, which compromise the effectiveness of the proposed actions. It was reported that a lot of the municipalities of the mesoregion are small sizes which can justify the lack of adequate structural and administrative technique. For attending the requirements of the state plan and, to keep updated documents. The research showed the necessity of continuous training of the municipal employees, for the plans update and a larger articulation between the levels of government. So, it can guarantee that the goals of Environmental Education are not only expected, but effectively implemented.