A TRANSIÇÃO DOS EX-CATADORES DO LIXÃO ÀS COOPERATIVAS DE TRIAGEM: UM PROCESSO EMANCIPATÓRIO DE INCLUSÃO SOLIDÁRIA NO MUNICÍPIO DE PELOTAS-RS

Abstract

The article analyzes the process of transition from waste pickers to cooperative work in solid waste sorting cooperatives in the city of Pelotas-RS, jointly observing the environmental benefits and social inclusion of the subjects. Solid waste sorting is a fundamental activity for the reduction of environmental pollution, besides integrating income generation and social inclusion in the perspective of self-management. The methodology was carried out through bibliographic research, documentary analysis and semi-open interviews with four cooperators, former garbage collectors, aiming to understand the impacts of the transition on the social and economic aspects of the same. The analysis of the data revealed that the transition process represented a personal and collective achievement of the workers and that the organization in cooperatives was a positive alternative of professionalization, inclusion and social recognition, providing better living and working conditions.