Solid waste characterisation study in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone, Mexico

Abstract

The key findings of a solid waste characterisation study conducted at the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone, Mexico, are reported. Objectives of the study were to estimate the daily generation rate of household (HSW) and municipal solid waste (MSW), characterise and compare their composition by type of material, determine the proportion that HSW contributes to MSW, explore changes in MSW composition through time after final disposal, and estimate the types and amount of MSW that are sorted out for recycling at final disposal sites. HSW generated during seven days by a sample of 300 households chosen through a two-stage stratified sampling design was collected, weighed and classified. MSW entering the four local disposal sites was recorded for 12 weeks, and materials' sorting was quantified. MSW samples taken by excavating trenches in two final disposal sites were also characterised. The average per capita daily HSW generation rate was 508 g. HSW mainly consisted of putrescible waste (53%), paper (10%) and plastic (9%). The average daily generation rate of MSW was 3119.2 metric tonnes. HSW represented 55.9% of MSW, and the main difference between HSW and MSW was a lower proportion of organic materials (53% vs. 16.5%, respectively). The major changes in MSW composition through time after final disposal, were the result of the quick decomposition of putrescible materials. Only 2.2% of total MSW generated in Guadalajara (mainly package waste) was sorted for recycling.

Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Characterization in Ensenada, Mexico

“…Research carried out in several places around Mexico show that, indeed, the organic composition of food scraps and yard trimmings is lower in the north border region. For example, the results published by BernachePérez et al [26] in Guadalajara show food scraps at 40.7%, yard trimmings at 12.2%, paper at 10%, and plastics at 9%. On the other hand, Buenrostro [25] reports that food scraps in Morelia accounted for 50.95%, paper 7.62% and plastics 7.68%.…”

“…Lower figures are shown by Gómez et al [24] in Chihuahua with 0.676 kg per person per day, Bernache-Pérez et al [26] in Guadalajara with 0.580 kg per person per day, and Buenrostro [25] in Morelia with 0.629 kg per person per day. Compared to other cities worldwide, it can be observed that daily per capita generation in Ensenada is similar to the generation rates described by Hristovski et al [40] with 1.06 ± 0.56 kg in Veles, Macedonia (developing economy); Bernache-Pérez et al [26], who states that developed countries such as Japan generates 1.22 kg per person per day and Germany 1.15 kg per person per day; and Gomes et al [36], who states that Portugal generates 1.2 kg per person per day. This is in contrast to other developed countries such as the United States with a daily per capita generation of 1.98 kg per person per day and Canada with 1.64 kg, countries where a stressed difference may be noted.…”

“…In these studies, the data was collected through door-to-door and the sample size was variable since it was determined by the number of housing structures containing from 160 to 300 housing units. At the same time, some research was carried out by socioeconomic stratification (low, median and high) and others as a single unit without socioeconomic stratification [24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

Cuantificación De Residuos Sólidos Urbanos Generados en La Cabecera Municipal De Berriozábal, Chiapas, México

“…Un método que permite estimar la cantidad de residuos que producen las localidades urbanas y rurales, así como cuantificar el equipamiento nece sario (camiones recolectores y contenedores) y diseñar las obras de ingeniería (rellenos sanitarios y plantas de separación), son los llamados estudios de generación y cuantificación de subproductos de los RSU (Bernache et al 2001, Al-Jarallah y Aleisa 2014).…”

The physical and chemical properties of solid waste from water tourism. Case study: Taling Chan Floating Market, Bangkok, Thailand

“…Many previous studies have examined household solid waste (HSW) generation and physical waste composition. Berneche-Perez [4], Ojeda-Benitez et al [5], Alhumoud et al [6], and Gómez et al [7] analyzed HSW to identify the waste generation rate and the potential for using recyclable wastes. However, the HSW generation rates and compositions were found to differ among communities.…”