IMPORTÂNCIA DA CONSCIENTIZAÇÃO AMBIENTAL PARA SEPARAÇÃO DOS RESÍDUOS RECICLÁVEIS NA FONTE GERADORA

Attention to environmental sustainability issues has become increasingly important in today's society. This topic is addressed in scientific research across various fields and also influences the creation of public policies, either due to ideological motivations of policymakers or the need to comply with international agreements. In this context, environmental education proves to be essential for the management of solid waste in large metropolitan areas, where sorting must begin at the source and take into account the characteristics of the materials. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence environmental awareness regarding the separation of solid waste at the point of generation. To achieve this goal, a qualitative and exploratory approach was adopted, involving a bibliographic review of national publications from the last five years, as well as an analysis of secondary data from official agencies and case studies related to selective collection and environmental education. The results indicate that environmental awareness, when combined with public policies and effective educational strategies, can significantly increase public participation in the proper separation of recyclable waste, contributing to sustainability, social inclusion of waste pickers, and the efficiency of urban waste management.