Diagnóstico situacional e projeto de coleta seletiva para município de pequeno porte

Abstract

The rapid generation and heterogeneity of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) make it challenging to update environmental laws. By 2050, global waste generation is projected to reach 3.4 billion tons per year. In Brazil, 77.1 million tons of waste were produced in 2022, highlighting the need to improve MSW management, especially in small cities with limited financial and human resources. Thus, this research aimed to design a selective waste collection project for the city of Perdigão/MG. The study is structured into three main sections. The first consists of a systematic review of the main methodologies for implementing and improving selective collection. The second chapter determines the physical characteristics of the waste generated in the municipality and estimates the Theoretical Potential for Recyclable Generation (PTGR). The final chapter details the dimensioning of the selective collection system. Regarding the adopted methodologies, the systematic review followed the PRISMA methodology for selecting relevant articles. After the screening process, 19 studies were included in the research. In the second chapter, using the quartering, separation, and weighing techniques, the gravimetric composition and specific weight of the waste were determined. The PTGR was defined considering population growth, gravimetric composition, and per capita waste generation. Lastly, the selective collection project was structured into three stages: data collection, pre-dimensioning, and route optimization. Initially, georeferenced data on the city’s characteristics were collected, dividing it into seven areas of interest. In the pre-dimensioning stage, three scenarios were created, considering a gradual increase in recyclable recovery, followed by a population study and the determination of the number of Voluntary Delivery Points (PEVs). In the optimization stage, QGIS and the ORS Tools plugin were used to define more efficient collection routes. The review highlighted the importance of social mobilization initiatives for the effectiveness of selective collection. Additionally, it demonstrated the benefits of using PEVs and optimizing routes through GIS programs. Regarding the characteristics of the generated waste, the municipality currently produces approximately 230.95 tons of MSW per month, with a per capita generation of around 0.619 kg/inhabitant·day. The waste composition consists of 37.89% organic matter, 41.36% dry recyclables, and 20.75% other materials and rejects. By 2035, the city is projected to have 19,823 inhabitants, generating 3,451.39 tons of recyclable waste annually. Finally, for the selective collection project, 37 PEVs were dimensioned, and ten collection routes were defined. At the end of the study, it is concluded that, despite high costs, there are ways to optimize and reduce the expenses associated with implementing and operating selective collection systems. The use of PEVs, combined with route optimization through GIS programs, has shown positive results. The municipality has great potential for implementing selective collection projects, especially given its significant generation of recyclable materials.