Avaliação da experiência do projeto piloto Residência ResíduoZero

Abstract

The process of organic food production should be linked to environmental sustainability. It should avoid pesticides and soluble mineral fertilizers and feature a balanced use of natural resources and the provision of high quality food, free of toxic waste. Therefore, the use of organic and bio fertilizers derived from composting is presented as a key practice, integrated in the production process. Not only in rural areas but also in urban and peri-urban agriculture - involving urban gardens in public spaces or not, with the practice of "clean" plantation, combining a vision of a common world and the desire for a healthier diet. In this context of expansion of organic farming, with the involvement of society in programs anchored on the theme of sustainability and quality of life, some concerns emerge, for example, it is possible that home-based composting that uses as raw material food wastes can produce compost that still carries chemical contaminants that were present in the food leftovers that were used for composting; the residues of these contaminants might not be completely absorbed by vermicomposting and that traces of chemicals remain in the final product, so that traces of these contaminants remain in the organic compounds that will be used in the production of organic food, counter to regulations. Can social-economic conditions of the population interfere in the quality of the final results of domestic composting? What were the motives that led 100 families to take part in the pilot project RisíduoZero, in the city of Goiânia and wat were reasons for discontinuation? Is it worthwhile to invest in zero waste programs? The data obtained suggest a shift from preconceived ideas in various ways: Families living in houses do not necessary adhere better to the program; people with less formal education don’t show less ecological conscience and people with lower income do not necessarily show more interest in recycling urban waste. Considering that the use of the compost produced by recycling urban organic waste is still a new paradigm in Brazil and that many doubts remain concerning its use in agriculture, we propose, in this dissertation, to adopt sampling method to investigate the obtained compost, to understand its characteristics, including the presence of dangerous substances, and thus securing the adequate use in organic agriculture, to guarantee all benefits of this practice and avoiding damage to food producers and consumers.