Consumo e descarte de resíduos alimentares em um bairro do município de Caxias do Sul/RS

Resumo: O desperdicio de alimentos apresenta diversos aspectos negativos do ponto de vista ambiental, economico, social e etico. O objetivo desse trabalho foi coletar informacoes com familias de um bairro de Caxias do Sul/RS com relacao ao consumo e descarte de residuos alimentares, atraves de questionarios. Os resultados indicaram que 42,1% dos respondentes percebem o desperdicio de alimentos em casa, e 36,8% compram alem do planejado na rotina de compras. Sobre o destino dos residuos alimentares, destaca-se o reaproveitamento em outras refeicoes e a destinacao a coleta publica. Constata-se uma limitacao de informacoes sobre o tema que, entre diversas razoes, tambem e resultado da pouca atencao dada ao assunto ate entao, e uma carencia em termos de programas de sensibilizacao. Por fim, sao sugeridas acoes de educacao ambiental sobre o assunto, que ainda sao escassas no Brasil, assim como o incentivo a compostagem nos domicilios. Palavras-chave: Desperdicio de alimentos. Educacao ambiental. Consumo. Residuos Solidos. Gestao. CONSUMPTION AND DISPOSAL OF FOOD WASTE IN A COMMUNITY OF CAXIAS DO SUL/RS Abstract: The food wastage presents several negatives aspects with regard to the environmental, economic, social and ethical point of view. The aim of this work was to gather information from families of a neighborhood from Caxias do Sul/RS about their food consumption and waste disposal, using questionnaires. The results indicated that 42.1% of the respondents notice food wastage at home and 36.8% buy more than planned during their shopping routines. Referring to the disposal of food waste, the reuse in other meals and the destination to the public collection system are common practices among the families. It was verified a lack of information about food wastage, which is a consequence of the little attention given to the issue so far, and a shortage in terms of awareness programs. The study suggests environmental education actions that are still scarce in Brazil, as well as incentives to the adoption of composting techniques in households. Keywords: Food wastage. Environmental education. Consumption. Solid waste. Management