“Eu não sou lixo”: abjeção na vida de catadoras e catadores de materiais recicláveis

Abstract

In this thesis, I depict the work routine of the recyclable material collectors, seeking the realization of how the notion of abjection is expressed in the life of these people. As such, a field research was conducted inspired in ethnography. This practice took place in an association of recyclable material collectors in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, besides incorporating experiences in events related to the world of garbage collection, with the participation of the National Movement of Recyclable Material Collectors (in Portuguese, MNCR). I assumed that the work of recyclable material collectors has been an activity that is utterly associated with the capitalist system. The exercise of production and heavy consumption generates a vast quantity of disposed material, which is the basic condition for the existence of the work related to garbage collection in its current setting. Besides, the occupation of garbage collector has been executed, generally, in precarious and inhuman conditions, as it is characteristic of many other work environments in the capitalist system. The field data reveals to be a rich source for reflection upon the relationship between these precarious working conditions, and the incidence of abjection in the lives of recyclable material collectors, mainly because they work with garbage. The notion of chaos and filth when historically built is put into perspective when I perceived them as components soaked in morality, which intensely contributes to the garbage collector to be classified as abject bodies. It is noted that some signs of abjections are present in internal relationship between the collectors and other institutions. Furthermore, some challenges are raised in this analysis, so as to work towards a collaborative project guided by self-management, as proposed by the association of recyclable material collectors’ statute, and in the principles of the National Movement of Recyclable Material Collectors. The installation of a technological artifact – a rolling conveyor system - at the association, stimulated the observations about the introduction of discourses and practices, permeated by the control and discipline of the recyclable material collectors’ work. It is also noted that there is a need of a formation process, which stimulates a clear understanding about the models of a solidary and collective labor. Another significant aspect on this research is in the great number of women who become workers in the field, with a probability to represent the majority of the recyclable material collectors in that region. The life stories, told by the female recyclable material collectors, often involve acts of violence and abuse, followed by the manifestation of feeling “like garbage”. This study allows me to conclude that, being a recyclable material collector implies to live with the reality of existing in a body that causes abjection. The fact that we realize that there is bias around the recyclable material collectors, which frames them as abject bodies, and consequently leads to prejudice and discrimination, fear and violence, may indicate that there is a possibility to change this perception.