“O lixo pode ser mais que lixo”: o sentido do trabalho para catadores de materiais recicláveis

Abstract

The aim of this work is to understand the meaning of the work for a group of recyclable material recyclers in an urban waste sorting plant in Arcos, central-western region of Minas Gerais, from a socio-constructive approach. In order to do so, we sought to understand the meaning that these workers attribute to their work, as well as to describe their life trajectory and the perception they have of the activity they develop. It was decided to investigate recyclable waste collectors because this is a relatively recent activity, which arose due to the accumulation of "garbage" in urban centers and the need to recycle some of its components. The sense of work for this group of scavengers is closer to suffering than to pleasure, although it is difficult to explain where one begins and where the other ends, given that at times these workers were satisfied and happy to be there. However, to affirm that it is pleasure is to deny the trajectory of each one and the suffering experienced as a result of the prejudice suffered by society.