Household waste and environmental education: a study based on educational documents and the Common National Curriculum

Abstract

Urban waste is constantly a problem that directly affects the health of the population and the environment, but raising awareness of its disposal is one of today’s major environmental challenges. The aim of this work is to investigate the presence of skills and knowledge indicated in the National Common Curriculum Base (BNCC) and others educational documents regarding household waste and its implications for human health. The data was collected through a bibliographic survey of the BNCC and textbooks on the subject. The data was analyzed using the Data Analysis procedure. The research showed that there is a need to give more visibility to the issue of waste in schools that offer classes in the early years of primary education, since this is a social problem that demands efforts for current and future generations. In addition to the commitment of teachers, it is necessary to define learning spaces that include more opportunities to raise awareness and produce more effective responses to the effects of this social problem on the health of Brazilians.