Diagnosis of solid waste disposal area in Paiçandu (Brazil) and proposal for improvements

Abstract

Background: The increase in the generation of Urban Solid Waste (MSW) and its inadequate disposal is a major problem to be faced by the public administration, however, the sanitary landfill is one of the solutions for this situation, in order to avoid bad disposal of these residues and reduce the environmental impacts caused by them. The present study sought to diagnose the MSW final disposal system in the municipality of Paiçandu (PR) and propose improvements to the existing infrastructure. Method: Site visits were carried out to identify possible irregularities in the system, both in infrastructure and in operation. Thus, an important tool to aid the diagnosis and evaluation was the Waste Landfill Quality Index (IQR), where, with the supervision of the technician responsible for the site, the entire questionnaire was completed. After identifying the conditions of the site, with the support of technical standards, the development of the necessary adjustments for the system began, together with some proposals for improvements. Results: According to the survey carried out, the score obtained in the IQR was 5.4, which characterizes the system in inadequate conditions. The area does not have rainwater drainage and the leachate and gas drainage are compromised, in addition to the existing ditch exceeding its limit, that is, it is saturated. The operation of the system leaves something to be desired, since it outsources the machinery and does not have enough employees. The perimeter of the land does not have adequate fencing and visual insulation, which ends up causing inconvenience to neighboring lots and residents. Therefore, according to the IQR, the final waste disposal site cannot be considered as a sanitary landfill. However, if the regularizations and improvements proposed in this work are carried out, the note and the situation of the place can be reconsidered after a new evaluation.