The challenge of developing country governments in municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is complex, often ineffective, and does not meet the required technical sustainability, which involves environmental, social, and financial aspects. The purpose of this research is to analyze two distinct waste management systems, in São Leopoldo (Brazil) and in Zurich (Switzerland), to develop a tool called “waste stream mapping” and also to compare the cities systems. The results show positively that the two municipalities have selective waste collection, however in São Leopoldo it was found that less volume was reinserted in the production chain, which considerably increases the volume of waste sent to sanitary landfill, which is the main method of disposal in Brazil. On the other hand, the Zurich management model is more expensive, especially compared to incineration, but its billing and power trading system ends up involving more of the population and paying for the operations, as Zurich generates more income than expenses. This study shows that each stage of waste management has its peculiarity and everything should be planned. The tool adapted from Value Stream Mapping has shown that it is useful to have a broad vision about the municipal solid waste management to be implemented.

A gestão de RSU inclui a disposição final dos rejeitos e, quanto menor esta parcela disposta em aterros, maiores serão os ganhos ambientais e, consequentemente, a redução de impactos. Processos como reciclagem e compostagem contribuem para a minimização dos impactos causados por aterros, devido a redução da quantidade de rejeitos destinada a este fim. Deste modo, este trabalho analisou a aplicação da ferramenta de ACV como técnica para a gestão de RSU em aterros. Foi avaliado teoricamente um estudo de caso realizado através de softwares de avaliação de ciclo de vida, que mostrou as vantagens e desvantagens de quatro cenários, sendo um deles real. O estudo mostrou melhorias significativas dos indicadores de impacto ambiental, quando incluídos os processos de triagem, reciclagem e compostagem de materiais precedendo ao processo de aterramento de resíduos, corroborando para o aumento de vida útil da área do aterro e redução de emissões.

RESUMOO monitoramento de recalques diferenciais é utilizado para estimar o aumento do ciclo de vida de aterros sanitários, manter a estabilização de taludes e a segurança das operações. O objetivo da pesquisa foi utilizar a metodologia de mecânica dos solos para determinação dos índices físicos utilizados para o cálculo da compressibilidade de Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU). As amostras de RSU foram coletadas em um aterro sanitário no Brasil, em duas profundidades diferentes -Grupo 1 (0,5 m), Grupo 2 (0,8 m).

Purpose This study aims to present the environmental management system implemented at UNISINOS and demonstrate some of the main results obtained in more than 15 years carrying out the environmental management of the campuses in São Leopoldo and Porto Alegre. The focus is on the main environmental impacts: electricity consumption, water consumption and solid waste management. Design/methodology/approach Sustainable development of universities has gradually become a common practice, as the knowledge shared in the higher education institutions reflects in the behavior of society. In a university, an environmental management system is used to plan, implement and manage processes referring to the environmental, social and economic aspects, so as to improve their performance and comply with legal requirements. For this, national or international standards and/or methodologies can be followed, which serve as a guide for the institution to reach sustainability in a staggered manner, according to the availability of data and resources for environmental management. Findings After 16 years of certification, based on the monitoring performed, positive performance was observed, reflecting a better and attentive university, with an environmental policy that goes beyond the borders of the campuses and transmits solid concepts of environmental education to the academic community, under the rigid control of the ISO 14001 tool. Originality/value In 2004, UNISINOS became the first Latin American university with an ISO 14001 certification. In 2018, the certification was extended to the UNISINOS Campus in Porto Alegre, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. All the support activities conducted and implemented in the campuses (São Leopoldo and Porto Alegre) follow the same rules implemented by the UNISINOS environmental management system. After the experience of implementing the ISO 14001 requirements, UNISINOS included other normative requirements in 2013, adopting an integrated management system.

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