Resíduos oriundo do processamento do açaí na cidade de Altamira

Abstract

The açaí tree (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) originates from the Brazilian Amazon and the main center of natural dispersion of this palm is located in the State of Pará. The fruit has been gaining new market frontiers, serving not only the local market, but also the national and international one. However, such progress has been accompanied by an exponential growth in the generation of post-processing waste, which is improperly disposed of, causing changes in the natural landscapes of different environments, in addition to contributing to the clogging of streams, sewers and streams. Thus, the objective of this research was to raise, along with the establishments selling açaí in the city of Altamira – PA; which treatment is being assigned to the residues (acai seeds), having as parameters of analysis the socio-environmental point of view, and the quantity of these residues. Data collection was based on interviews with 20 açaí beaters. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of the Excel program. There was an average production of açaí/day, in the off season, of 13.1 liters. The average yield per pounder is 6.75 liters per can of fruit, equivalent to 1,572 liters of açaí sold daily in the city. Of the total, 65% of the owners dispose of waste improperly. Only 35% of the açaí pickers carry out the collection properly. Finally, it is concluded that despite the different forms of reuse found as a solution for the management of solid waste in the açaí production chain, there is still a large number of establishments that do not have the concern for the correct packaging of açaí waste.