A produção e o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos recicláveis na cidade de Santa Helena - Paraná, Brasil

Abstract

This dissertation addresses environmental issues, focusing on the production and management of urban solid waste in a small Brazilian municipality. The research was conducted in the municipality of Santa Helena, in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and its primary objective was to analyze and characterize the generation and management of recyclable urban solid waste (RUSW) in the investigated municipality. The study estimated the quantity of recyclable waste generated locally and examined specific aspects of the selective household collection system. Through systematic sampling procedures, the gravimetric composition of recyclable waste was measured and characterized, with the participation of residents from the main urban quadrant of the municipality. The research also investigated and documented residents’ waste management practices concerning RUSW, as well as their perceptions of municipal public cleaning services. Additionally, the local waste pickers’ association was analyzed and characterized. The results enabled the estimation of the proportion of RUSW generated in Santa Helena and the percentage discarded and transported to a sanitary landfill located in a neighboring municipality. Gravimetric analysis revealed significant losses of recyclable materials, which are processed at the Recycling Recovery Unit (RRU) with a high rejection rate. Mass measurements of recyclable materials indicated that approximately one-third of the waste generated by the local population is improperly discarded. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that the majority of residents adopt appropriate disposal practices. Gravimetric data showed that approximately 70% of the materials collected for recovery met the established quality standards upon arrival at the RRU, highlighting the need for proper treatment at the source.