Estudo quali-quantitativo visando melhorias no gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos de dois condomínios residenciais no município de Santa Maria

Abstract

The growth of solid waste generation has caused problems, especially in developing countries, since solid waste management systems have not kept pace with the increasing amounts of disposed waste. For the design of well-performing waste management systems, it is essential to know the characteristics of the solid waste and the local population. The main objective of this study was to compare the quali-quantitative characteristics of solid waste from two residential condominiums in Santa Maria/RS: Condominium 1 (C1), comprises of 110 houses with an average market value of 740,000 Brazilian reais, and Condominium 2 (C2) consists of 120 apartment units with an average market value of 160,000 Brazilian reais. Initially, the diagnostic of the solid waste management of both sites was carried out through observations and surveys in loco. Subsequently, through the application of questionnaires, the socioeconomic characterization of the populations was performed, followed by the qualiquantitative analysis of the generated solid waste. Next, the waste segregation of the solid waste contained in the discarded containers was performed to classify them according to three degrees of segregation (1, 2 and 3). The residues were separated into 17 categories, and their mass and volume were quantified. Based on the results obtained, the per capita and household solid waste generation of each residential condominium and the apparent density of each waste category were calculated. Using R statistical software, the statistical analysis of the results was carried out. Also, observing the results obtained and the PNRS precepts, alternatives were proposed for the adequacy of solid waste management at both sites. The results showed that the current waste management at both two residential condominiums occurs in isolation from the external environment, and does not guarantee the correct destination of the different categories of generated waste. It was found that the two study sites have populations with distinct socioeconomic characteristics as well as different family profiles. C1 shows a higher education level and a higher average monthly household income in comparison to C2. Regarding the solid waste, it was found that 56.73% of the containers of C1 and 59.73% of those of C2 showed no evidence of waste segregation. Moreover, in C1, compared to C2, there is a higher percentage of recyclables and a lower percentage of compostable waste among the generated waste. Significant differences were observed between the two residential condominiums in the generation of various waste categories. The calculated per capita generation was 0.63 kg.day-1 in C1 and 0.4 kg.day-1 in C2, differing significantly. Ultimately, it was concluded that the generation of solid waste showed significant differences between the two study sites, which has a profound relationship with the different socioeconomic characteristics of the populations.