TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL INCLUSION, AND SUSTAINABILITY: SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE ON AGEISM AND RESPONSIBLE DISPOSAL OF ELECTRONIC WASTE

Abstract

The increasing consumption of electrical and electronic equipment has intensified the generation of waste that, when improperly discarded, may cause environmental, social, and public health impacts. At the same time, older adults still face barriers to accessing, using, and appropriating digital technologies, a situation related to ageism and intergenerational inequalities. This article presents and analyzes an outreach project developed at Creche da Vovó, in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil, aimed at raising awareness of the responsible disposal of electronic waste and promoting social inclusion and dialogue between different generations. The study is exploratory and descriptive, with a qualitative approach based on action-research principles. The activities included participatory planning, an educational lecture, discussion groups, interactive activities, presentation of a collection bin, and organization of a temporary collection system connected to recycling points and specialized partners. Twenty people participated directly, including 13 adolescents and 7 older women. The results indicated the complete implementation of the planned activities, increased participant engagement, and strengthened attitudes related to empathy, cooperation, active listening, and appreciation of older people’s experiences. It is concluded that low-cost community actions can simultaneously contribute to environmental education, social inclusion, and citizenship education.