Composição gravimétrica dos resíduos recicláveis destinados à coleta seletiva cidadã da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – campus Campo Mourão

Abstract

Proper management of recyclable solid waste is essential for promoting environmental sustainability, especially within higher education institutions. This study aimed to conduct a qualitative and quantitative analysis of recyclable waste destined for the Coleta Seletiva Cidadã (Citizen Selective Collection) at the Federal University of Technology – Paraná, Campo Mourão Campus. For this purpose, manual sorting and gravimetric composition analysis of the recyclable materials collected over four weeks were carried out. Paper was the most prevalent material (61.2%), followed by plastic (20.4%), glass (11.1%), metal (5.0%), and expanded polystyrene – EPS (2.3%). A total of 119.17 kg of recyclable waste was collected, averaging approximately 29.79 kg per week. Despite the predominance of potentially recyclable materials, the presence of non-recyclables revealed flaws in source separation. Positive aspects were observed, such as infrastructure for selective disposal and adequate storage; however, the presence of contaminants in the collection bins highlights the need for ongoing environmental education and community awareness efforts. Based on the results, it is recommended to strengthen environmental education initiatives, improve bin labeling and signage, and carry out campaigns focused on raising awareness and engaging the academic community in order to reinforce sustainable practices within the university environment.