REVERSE LOGISTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE DISPOSAL OF END-OF-LIFE TIRES: A CASE STUDY WITH WASTE PICKERS AND STUDENTS

Abstract

This study examines the disposal of end-of-life tires in São Miguel do Guamá, Pará, through an Environmental Education initiative carried out at Sapucaia Environmental Park, involving waste pickers and elementary and high school students. The initiative was organized into three stages: a guided discussion on improper tire disposal, environmental and public health risks, shared responsibility, and reverse logistics; a field-based class combining theory and practice, focused on reuse, repurposing, and environmentally sound disposal; and the administration of a questionnaire with open- and close-ended questions to assess participants’ perceptions and learning. Quantitative data were summarized as percentages, while open-ended responses were analyzed interpretively. The findings indicate that integrating Environmental Education, field-based learning, and critical discussion of reverse logistics helped broaden participants’ understanding of the impacts of improper disposal and of alternatives for responsible tire management. The study underscores the potential of contextualized educational initiatives to strengthen socio-environmental awareness and to inform local strategies for the proper management of end-of-life tires.