National Solid Waste Policy: An Analysis in the Municipalities that Make Core of Vale do Jaguari – RS

Purpose: this study aims to identify how solid waste management occurs in the municipalities that make up Corede Vale do Jaguari - RS, in light of Law 12,305/2010 (PNRS). Methods: the research adopts a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory approach, conducted through structured interviews with those responsible for solid waste management or the environmental area of ​​the nine municipalities that make up Corede Vale do Jaguari - RS. Results and discussion: the results reveal significant challenges for the implementation of the PNRS, such as lack of knowledge of the legislation and lack of interest on the part of municipal governments in implementing programs and actions. Although some cities have successful programs, demonstrating an effective understanding of the shared responsibility recommended by the PNRS, only solid waste collection was universally identified among the nine municipalities investigated. Implications of the research: just as all field research carried out in different locations, with participants from different realities, tends to become a vast and multifaceted object of study, this study also is, as it addresses a Federal Law that, despite not being fully fulfilled, it reveals both controversies and failures as well as concrete examples of success. Originality/value: the knowledge acquired in this research offers important information about the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), enacted in December 2010 and represents a milestone in environmental management in Brazil, aiming to improve the quality of urban life. In this sense, this study highlights the need for advances in solid waste management in the municipalities of Vale do Jaguari, indicating that there is much to be done to achieve the objectives established by PNRS.