Elements for discussion on social participation in closing of dumpsites: the case of Controlled Landfill of Jockey in the Federal District

Abstract

Social participation is seen as one of the solutions to democratize decision-making and improve the projects, programs, plans, and policies proposed by governments. It is no different in the environmental field. In Brazilian waste management, social participation is one of the topics established in the Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy. In this sense, this article aims to analyze the quality of the participation of the actors involved, as well as the level, forms, and conditions of their participation, as well as the representation of the private sector, and the ability of the actors to influence decision-making in the process of closing the activities of the Controlled Landfill of Jockey (CLJ). This article is a case study conducted through semi-structured interviews with eight participants, representatives of different sectors, who participated directly or indirectly in the closing activities of the CLJ. Bibliographic and documentary research was also used. Results show that there was a significant role among the government but also among waste pickers, and the forms of participation reported are differentiated. However, there is low participation of the private sector and residents of the Cidade Estrutural. It is also evident the discredit to the closure of the CLJ. A highlight regards participation: it has controversies, such as low power of influence, manipulation, exclusion of crucial actors, and discredit in the participatory process. There is also a worrying lack of participation because dumpsite closures focus mainly on poorer layers of society, and the participation employed was not able to break with social exclusion and unequal relations of power. However, there are important advances because participation was weakened on other occasions.