ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION: THE DILEMMA OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IN AMAZONIAN TERRITORIES

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the socio-environmental impacts caused by the inadequate disposal of solid waste in Amarante do Maranhão, Brazil, articulating the axes of environmental degradation, social vulnerability, and lack of public governance from the perspective of socio-environmental justice. The research, qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory in nature, was conducted as a case study, employing direct observations, interviews with waste pickers, photographic records, and documentary analysis of reports and legislation. The results revealed an alarming scenario of environmental degradation, with soil and water contamination, emission of toxic gases, and risks to biodiversity, aggravated by the absence of adequate infrastructure. The precarious working conditions of waste pickers, who operate without protection or institutional recognition, were also identified, reflecting a context of socio-environmental injustice. The lack of effective public policies and the fragility of municipal management reinforce the gap between the National Solid Waste Policy and the local reality. It is concluded that the issue requires an integrated approach based on sustainability, equity, and social inclusion, with proposals involving the implementation of a licensed sanitary landfill, selective waste collection, and territorialized environmental education, aiming to transform the socio-environmental reality of Amarante do Maranhão.