Conflitos socioambientais em torno do Aterro Sanitário Metropolitano Oeste de Caucaia, Ceará, Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this article was to verify the socio-environmental conflicts caused by the actions of waste management with the installation and operation of the Metropolitan Sanitary Landfill West of Caucaia (ASMOC) and the GNR Power Plant Valorização de Biogás Ltda, located in the Municipality of Caucaia Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, Northeast of Brazil. The research is based on the understanding that the landfill and the plant have generated environmental externalities, and consequently, social and environmental conflicts. The methodology used to understand and characterize the socio-environmental conflicts in the study area used the theoretical framework founded by several authors in Political Ecology. Interviews and application of semi-structured questionnaires were carried out with social actors in the management and surroundings of the biogas plant and the landfill for a better understanding of the emergence of socio-environmental conflicts, based on Political Ecology. As well as documental investigation, bibliographic survey, field visit and photographic record. The results obtained signaled several socio-environmental conflicts, such as the urban struggle for clean air and water, green spaces, rights of cyclists and pedestrians, the defense of rivers, soil degradation, the struggle of workers for occupational health and safety, racism environment, the ecologism of the poor, the population having the right to access the biomethane produced by the GNR plant, among others.