Solid urban waste is known as all material that is discarded by the population, which may be of domestic, commercial, industrial origin, waste from public roads or as a result of construction, and that is not considered dangerous according to the legal framework of the reference country.
The accumulation of waste is a direct consequence of life. In ancient times, the disposal of human waste did not pose a significant problem, since the population was small and the amount of land available for the assimilation of waste was more than sufficient. As well as, living with domestic animals and the absence of packaging translated into less waste.
Problems with waste disposal appear when human beings began to congregate in cities, and the accumulation of waste became a consequence of urban life.
As a graphic example of this situation, we can cite the United States, where 168 million tons of urban waste were produced in 1990, which is equivalent to 670 kg / inhabitants / year and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that this This number will grow to 806 kg / inhabitants / year by 2010. The continuous growth of waste not only raises the problem of its elimination, there is also the difficulty associated with the huge amount of non-renewable resources, consumed for the generation of goods initials.
In Spain, for example, the generation of waste of all kinds reaches about 275 million tons per year, which means an average per daily inhabitants amounting to 20 kg / inhabitants / day, corresponding to urban waste an estimated 1 Kg / Hab / day, which represents 5% of the total waste generated.
Urban waste is not without great importance, since it has doubled in the last ten years and its characteristics make it especially conflictive. Urban waste is the closest to the citizen, since it is generated in homes.
International panorama. Generation of Household Waste.
| Countries | Kg / inhabitants / year |
| Holland | 510 |
| Austria | 480 |
| France | 470 |
| Finland | 410 |
| Sweden | 376 |
| Spain | 370 |
| Germany | 320 |
| Denmark | 314 |
| Greece | 310 |
Source: OECD Compendium 1999
Composition of household waste according to the level of income.
| Composition of household waste | Countries with incomes below $ 750 | Countries with income from $ 750 to $ 5000 | Countries with incomes greater than $ 5000 |
| M Organic | 40% - 85% | 20% - 65% | 6% - 30% |
| Paper and paperboard | 1% - 10% | 8% - 30% | 25% - 60% |
| Plastic | fifteen% | 2% - 6% | 2% - 8% |
| Glass | 1% - 10% | 1% - 10% | 4% - 12% |
| Metals | fifteen% | fifteen% | 3% - 12% |
| Others | 1% - 40% | 1% - 30% | 1% - 10% |
Source: Julio Berbel Vecino. Present and Future of Solid Waste Collection.
The problem posed by solid urban waste as a consequence of its increase and the implications, in terms of environmental pollution and the depletion of natural resources, makes it essential to find ways to properly manage it from the point of view of social, environmental and economic view.
The relationship between public health, the storage, collection and inappropriate disposal of solid waste is revealed by the proliferation of rodents, flies and other disease-transmitting agents that reproduce in uncontrolled landfills. The United States Public Health Service has published the results of a study related to twenty-two human diseases associated with the incorrect management of solid waste.
Ecological phenomena such as air, water and soil pollution are also caused by the incorrect management of MSW. For example: leachate in poorly designed garbage dumps and landfills have been the cause of contamination of surface and groundwater.
As an alternative measure to solve this problem, efforts should be directed towards minimizing waste, and trying by all means to recycle waste through selective collection, with the support of the community, which will only be achieved through through a correct and adequate educational work.
The recovery of solid urban waste (MSW)
The recovery of solid urban waste consists of transforming the waste considered as waste, through a previous treatment, into reusable resources. In this way, the recovery of MSW is achieved through the processes of reuse, reduction and recycling, to transform the traditional management of this waste into integrated sustainability systems.
The recovery of MSW covers the entire stage of its life cycle and takes into account environmental benefits, economic optimization and social agreement within a practical and sustainable system. It will also combine a series of options such as the reuse, recovery and classification of recyclable materials, composting of the organic fraction, biogasification, energy recovery and controlled landfills used only for the final disposal of that fraction of the MSW that cannot be recovered by the aforementioned methods.
The participation of the community in the process of valorization of urban waste is of utmost importance for the success of this task. This participation can be organized by the Municipal Governments working together with the Non-Governmental Organizations.
The recovery of solid urban waste pursues the following objectives:
- The reduction or decrease in quantity and / or quality of MSW, through production, consumption and / or commercialization processes that minimize or eliminate waste. Stop considering the waste as a waste to be destroyed and start considering it as a possible resource to Enhance and recover Valuation implies optimizing the characteristics and forms of waste, through known processes of reuse, recovery and recycling.
When the generation of waste becomes unavoidable, waste must be considered as resources from which reusable materials, raw materials, organic nutrients and even energy can be recovered.
We call this entire process of recovery and treatment that puts a large part of the waste in technical and economic conditions to be returned to the market. Therefore, a recovery project is nothing more than a set of inputs, activities and products involved in the different stages of MSW management (collection, processing, marketing and disposal) in order to optimize the value of waste recovered.
The main impacts related to MSW have a direct relationship with the decomposition of organic matter, producing bad odors at the disposal points, proliferation of insects and rodents, risks of infections, production of explosive gases such as methane and soil contamination. and the waters. We must add that organic waste represents more than half of the total weight of MSW that is generated (approximately 60%), that is, it stands out from the rest of the waste due to its greater weight in the waste that is generated daily in urban areas.
For this reason, priority attention must be given to it, considering its segregation at source, in order to carry out its collection in specific deposits for subsequent recycling using composting technology.
The treatment system for MSW
Historical Preamble
From the development of the Hindu-Indore method in 1925, the possibility of decomposing garbage in cities on a large scale began to be studied in Europe. The first compost plant for urban waste was installed in the Dutch city of Houmer in 1932. The most widely applied systems were the static, by fermentation in heaps, and the dynamic DANO method based on a first rapid fermentation in a rotating drum.
At the beginning of the 1960s there were 37 composting plants in Europe, 25 with the DANO method and 12 with the pile system. Subsequently, the number of plants continued to grow, reaching 230 plants in the early 70's. The largest were those in Moscow and Rome, and France stood out with its 97 facilities. At the Rome plant, part of the organic matter was used for feeding pigs, after sterilization.
In the USA this growth process did not take place and in 1971 14 plants of the 18 that had been created since 1951 had been closed.
Until the 1970s, there was a growth process in Europe for urban waste composting plants, although a significant percentage of waste was never treated. France was the most prominent country, thus fermenting 10% of the organic matter contained in its urban waste.
However, in India the data is considered that 2,500 urban centers produced 3.5 million tons of compost by simple procedures.
Starting in 1970, the evolution of plants for the treatment of organic matter contained in the UK, stagnated, and in most countries around the world, plants were closed, with the exception of France and elsewhere. to a lesser extent Spain.
Causes of stagnation in production and acceptance of Compost.
- Emphasis was placed on technical aspects and the biological aspects necessary for the production of compost were neglected The quality obtained in the final product (compost) did not satisfy the needs or requirements for its use in agriculture Agricultural research institutes and Relevant authorities did not take into account that compost preparation is primarily a biological and not a technical problem.
However, in recent years, due to the rise in the prices of chemical fertilizers, the damage that these fertilizers cause to human health and ecological factors, the number of plants and the volume of fermented organic matter have increased. For a better understanding the following data is shown:
| Countries | N or plant | Tons of fertilizer (thousands) |
% of waste treaties |
| France | 54 | 800 | fifteen |
| Spain | 28 | 600 | 14 |
| RFA | 19 | 220 | 3.5 |
| Switzerland | 10 | 40 | 10 |
| Sweden | 51 | 135 | 24 |
| Austria | fifteen | 140 | twenty-one |
| Italy | 35 | - | 5 |
| Belgium | 6 | 55 | 9 |
| Denmark | one | - | - |
| Holland | 4 | 42 | 9 |
| UK | one | twenty | one |
Effects caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers
- Contamination by heavy metals and toxic metalloids that are transmitted to humans through the roots of plants. Excess nitrate in chemical fertilizers is the cause of water pollution; main reason for very serious health diseases such as cancer Excessive use of nitrate, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), reduces the content of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), boron (B), magnesium (Mg) and other very important elements for crops and human consumption. The defect of these elements (Cu, Fe, Ca, B, Mg) in the diet causes nervous depression, cancer and different types of allergies; it also leaves the body very vulnerable to infection.
The application of compost in agriculture
Due to its high content of trace elements, compost is the best amendment to reduce, and in many cases avoid, the appearance of deficiency diseases such as the breaking disease of cereals due to lack of copper, the peat disease of oats due to lack of manganese, the heart disease of beets due to lack of boron, iron chlorosis of fruit trees due to lack of iron, etc.
Due to its high antibiotic power, it can rule out a good number of fungal diseases in vegetable crops, such as the fearsome Fusarium, which makes its appearance in tomato and pepper plantations, and is not always easy to combat.
The dietary quality of food is another of the issues to take into account for the preparation and application of compost, since organic fertilizer allows the obtaining of foods richer in vitamins, enzymes and trace elements necessary for life.
Towards a new image of compost
The new image of compost depends on the improvement in its quality, on the establishment of precise standards for its preparation and on making its properties known. On this basis, the increase in production must be supported, and therefore, the increase in the recovery of urban waste.
Quality improvement should focus, in addition to maturity and biological quality, on the removal of inert materials such as glass, plastics and metals, and also on reducing the concentration of heavy metals. Given the limitations that recycling plants have to carry out this task successfully, selective collection at home can contribute considerably to raising the quality of compost. Research on fermentation methods and the fact of starting to take into account the biological richness of the product are other aspects of interest that must be developed.
The new possibilities of acceptance of compost must be preceded by a series of legal and technical specifications referring to properties of the composition of organic fertilizer and the types of soil and crops where it should be applied.
The experiences of dissemination and application to different types of land and crops, analyzing the productions, the influence on the land and the dietary quality of the food produced, are factors of vital importance for the farmer to value organic fertilizer more.
To the elaboration of the compost, its investigation and application, an immediate economic profitability should not be demanded, in this case other “profitability” must be considered, such as the reduction of pollution, the saving of foreign exchange for the purchase of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and soil improvement. For these reasons, the necessary measures must be taken so that the sale price of the product is affordable to the farmer and that it is also profitable.
The composting process
Composting is a controlled process that, from the natural biological decomposition that organic materials undergo in a humid and aerated environment, ends up producing a stable product similar to humus.
Composting is a process of biological decomposition of organic matter contained in urban solid waste, which aims to transform it into an organic product that can be used to improve soils in agriculture. Compost is not a compost, but a soil conditioner, although in practice it usually replaces organic fertilizers (manure) due to its superior quality.
Phases of the process
Entrance to the process
- Elements that enter the process: Organic matter (carbon, chemical energy, proteins and nitrogen) Minerals (nitrogen and other nutrients) Water and microorganisms
Transformation proccess
During the organic matter transformation process, heat is released in the fermentation and stabilization phases, water, oxygen and nitrogen are also added to the mixture.
Process output
The resulting product is an organic substrate called compost, which contains a proportion of carbon, chemical energy, proteins and water, always in smaller quantities than those possessed by the materials that started the process.
The volume of organic substrate obtained represents less than 50% with respect to the total organic matter that entered the transformation process.
The biodegradation that occurs during this process of natural transformation, of slow processing that can be carried out both in a natural environment and in an artificial installation, and the efficiency of the process lie in the possibility of controlling the environmental conditions during the operation, playing This control plays a preponderant role in accelerating the degree of decomposition of the organic waste mixture and in the quality of the final product.
The result of this process will also produce carbon dioxide and water, generating a product of a dark color, of light consistency and whose appearance and earthy color, does not bear any similarity to the materials that originated it.
By following all the required parameters, a quality product can be obtained that will be free of seeds or organisms harmful to plants and, once cured, is stable and resistant to further decompositions caused by microorganisms.
In general terms, any organic material subject to biological decomposition is compostable and in that sense it is good to see it as raw material and not as waste, since composting is a beneficial recycling process for organic matter far superior to the final disposal method..
Most common methods for making Compost
The most widely used methods in an aerobic composting process are three: the arrangement in rows, the aerated static piles, and those carried out in a closed area. These methods include in all cases operations for the separation of inert elements and / or contaminants, screening phase, maturation and stabilization time.
These methods differ in the information in which the air is incorporated, in the way in which the temperature is controlled, in the mixing or turning of the material, and in the duration time for the process. They can also be differentiated by the initial investment they require and by their operating costs.
Row arrangement
The rows are stacks of triangular sections whose length is greater than their width and height, which are generally in a 2: 1 ratio;, And where the ideal height is determined by the capacity of the row to produce and maintain the necessary temperature without preventing oxygen from reaching the center point of the dough. For most of the composition of the material to be composted, this height varies between 1 and 2 meters, with a row width of approximately 4 meters.
The periodic turning of the row, generally once a week, introduces air into the mass, increases its porosity and moves the material from the surface towards the internal part where it accelerates its composting.
The rows that are made on firm, paved or compacted clay surfaces, in order to facilitate turning and wetting, can be located outdoors, in which case the effect of rain on the material in process must be anticipated.
It is necessary to foresee that on these surfaces where the composting process is carried out, the separation of liquid waste and also rainwater is taken into account so that both are collected in a stabilization area where they will be directed for later use.
Static aerated batteries
It consists of the mechanical (forced) aeration of the piles of organic material, which will not need the turning process.
The piles are assembled on a network of reeds through which the air necessary for composting is supplied, and they remain there until the process is finished, which may require between six and twelve weeks, after which it passes to the screening and maturation stage.
The air can be supplied by blowing (positive pressure) through the battery or sucked (negative pressure) through it and its entry will be controlled by a thermostat in such a way that it supplies oxygen without allowing excessive heating of the battery. thus maintaining the optimal conditions and temperature for microbial activity.
The controlled supply of air allows the construction of larger batteries and consequently, a reduction in the area to be used.
The temperature inside the piles allows the elimination of pathogens, while on the surface the same does not happen because the piles are not turned over.
This problem can be solved by placing a layer of finished compost with a thickness of fifteen to twenty centimeters on the pile, so that it acts as an insulator, and helps to maintain the necessary temperature that allows to destroy the pathogens in the entire mass subjected to the aeration process. static.
The static pile method is suitable for both green waste and mixed waste, presenting the same problems as the row disposal system, when this process is carried out under the open sky.
Composting in closed areas
This type of process places the material to be processed in a closed chamber or enclosure, where humidity, aeration and mixing conditions are guaranteed.
The enclosures consist of containers, silos and tunnels that can rotate or have some agitation mechanism to move the material being processed.
Composting should be completed with a stabilization period outside the chamber.
The advantage of this type of system lies in the acceleration of the process as a consequence of allowing total control of the conditions in which it is carried out.
As the material is frequently turned over and mixed to homogenize the compost and activate the rapid transfer of oxygen, the process is completed in terms ranging from one to four weeks with minimal production of odor and leachate.
Screening and stabilization
Screening:
To be commercialized, the compost is sifted in order to separate the remaining non-compostable elements. This process can be carried out before or after the stabilization period and is usually complemented by an additional grinding operation.
The non-compostable fraction is destined for burial. To obtain the best results in this operation, the compost when being sieved must contain less than 50% moisture. If the material being processed was dried to reach this condition, it must be moistened again to complete its stabilization period.
Stabilization:
During the first and fastest phase of composting, whether in piles, rows or closed rooms, the decomposition of the largest and most easily degradable portion of the organic material will have occurred, with a significant decrease in its weight.
From this point on, the decomposition process continues in a slower way due to the lower rate of microbial activity.
This second phase may take a few weeks or several months, depending on the ambient temperature and the degree of maturation to be achieved. During this period the compost reaches its biological stability, and the piles are subjected to more sporadic turning, also using some means of passive ventilation.
As the curing progresses, the microbial activity generates less heat and the batteries cool down, which will indicate - if the other variables (humidity, oxygenation and nutrients) were adequately supplied -, the end of the process.
Collection methods
Compost produced from organic waste separated at source
Projects for the production of compost from organic matter selectively collected at source depend on the participation of neighbors or residents, businesses and institutions.
The compost made through this route has an advantage over the process that is made from mixed waste, since it minimizes the time for selecting the material and the space for unloading and storage of the raw material to be processed.
Added to all this is a higher and more uniform quality of the compost that is obtained, given the lower presence of non-compostable or polluting materials.
Advantage
- Lower chances of contamination Higher quality of compost or final product Lower costs for the processing of organic material Promotes the participation of residents in the collection process.
Disadvantages
- It requires more separation or selection tasks by the neighbors. It requires more collection work and more containers and bags.
Compost produced from mixed organic waste
Advantage
- It does not modify the collection task (traditional collection method) It does not involve any additional work for the neighbors.
Disadvantages
- Higher contamination potential for the final product, which can lead to lower quality of the product obtained Higher processing cost.
Important factors to develop a composting process
The actions that must be carried out to develop and implement a successful project for the production of compost are the following:
- Establish sources and characteristics of the material to produce compost (green trimmings and pruning, organic waste separated at source, mixed waste or a combination of them). Generate political consensus for the changes that should be made in the management of MSW by the population. Specify the goals to be pursued by the project Analyze the sites where the operation can be carried out and its impact on the environment Determine the possible uses and markets for the compost produced Start a public information, education and preparation project Determine the amounts and characteristics of the material available for composting. Gather information from similar projects in this activity. Analyze alternative composting techniques and recovery operations that can be added to composting.Advance agreements with potential consumers Obtain the necessary authorization or approval for the operation and sale of the product Prepare the budget and determine the financing.
The management of MSW in Havana City
In Cuba, the management of MSW is in charge of the Provincial Companies of Communal Services, specifically in the City of Havana there is a provincial service company (DPSC), to which the Provincial Budgeted Department of Hygiene (UPPH) is subordinate, and the 15 Municipal Directorates of Community Services (DMSC) corresponding to each municipality of the city.
These government institutions are responsible for the collection of MSW, the cleaning of the main avenues and the operation of recycling, landfills and landfill. In addition, they attend funeral services and the operations and maintenance of green areas and recreational areas.
At the state level, the competent authority to attend to communal services is the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP), and especially the department of territorial planning and communal services (DPTSC).
The Municipal Directorates of Community Services (DMSC), specifically through their hygiene departments, are responsible for manual cleaning of streets and avenues, demolition debris, tree branches, tarecos, and household collection; made with open dump trucks, cart tractors and horse drawn carts.
Small landfills, called special period landfills, are managed by the DMSC, with the support of the UPPH. These landfills are in a phase-out process.
In order to decentralize their operations, the DMSCs are divided into communal zones. In the case of the City of Havana, 105 communal areas have been created, distributed in the 15 municipalities of the city. These communal areas are in charge of sweeping the streets in their jurisdictions and collecting bulky waste.
In 1997, in order to improve the quality of services for solid waste management, the government created two Aurora companies (Aurora Plaza and Aurora Habana Vieja), and three Aurora units (Guanabo, Cayo Hueso, Miramar). These entities were also created with the objective of turning the management of MSW into a self-financing activity in strategically important areas.
The rates for the management of MSW services are fixed and have been established by the Ministry of Finance and Prices (MFP).
Aurora units charge rates in MLC to residence and foreign entities that receive income in this currency; and for entities that receive income in MN, the rate is charged in this type of currency. In the case of the population, the state transfers the corresponding funds to the Aurora, thus financing the population rate. Aurora companies have their own staff for cleaning work, but they commission mechanized cleaning works in some locations from UPPH.
Regulations and laws for the management of MSW
For solid waste management, there is generally a set of laws and ordinances at the international level that contribute to the better development of this activity. In our country there are a series of difficulties and problems related to these regulations and laws that govern the handling of MSW.
There is no public cleaning code for the management of solid waste in the city, in reality there are several scattered documents. This same situation occurs with the ordinances, statutes and norms that establish the rules for the behavior of the population with respect to the care of the streets, the disposal of solid waste, and especially the disposal of debris resulting from demolitions, and in general, in the management of all kinds of waste.
The two main codes related to the reduction of garbage in the streets and other infractions against public cleaning are: Resolution 1/94, and Decree Law No. 272. Both are incompatible, they do not keep the proper relationship.
The main reasons why these regulations and laws are not being correctly complied with are the following:
- The ordinances and regulations on the management of solid waste are mixed with other regulations referring to the construction and beautification of the city. This causes me to give little importance to aspects related to cleanliness (urban cleaning). These regulations should be defined in a simpler way and according to the current conditions of our country. Ordinances and regulations related to solid waste management should be included in a single code that refers to public cleaning and waste management. Decree Law No. 16/94 does not establish fines for minor offenses that are included in its text, this is the reason why the inspectorate does not use it. Decree Law 272 does establish fines in Cuban pesos and in convertible pesos.Inspectors are not motivated to do their jobs more efficiently.
Environmental monitoring
There is no established monitoring system to regularly control solid waste treatment and disposal facilities. Currently, the CITMA agency and the Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health carry out inspections in the final disposal centers when circumstances require it.
In general, we can say that there are standards referring to the protection and hygiene of work, which refer to labor standards and risks, measures to avoid accidents, general medical checks of workers and the means of protection that it must employ the labor force. These Resolutions are shown below:
- Resolution 31/2002: regulates matters relating to occupational hazards. Law 13/1987: refers to the measures to avoid accidents and the means of protection that must be used by workers. Cuban standard 19004/1986: refers to the training of workers before, during and after having finished their work.
Collection and Transportation
These two actions are of vital importance in the MSW management system, since the quality and final result of the entire process will largely depend on the effectiveness of the system.
There are three fundamental collection methods:
- Specialized collection by means of compactor trucks Conventional collection by means of tractors and carts or dump trucks Collection with horse carts.
Specialized collection method
The specialized collection method is carried out using compactor trucks, which are dedicated to domestic collection in certain urban areas of the city, mainly using PVC containers, where waste is deposited by the population.
The main problems faced by this collection method are as follows:
- Due to the small number of existing trucks and containers, it is difficult to cover the collection areas in one working day. As a result of the high degree of exploitation to which this equipment has been subjected, its technical condition is affected by frequent breakages and mechanical failures, which is why the collection of urban waste is frequently limited in these territories.
These effects on the service have mainly resulted in the environmental deterioration of tourist and residential areas, as happens, for example, in the municipalities of Old Havana and Centro Habana. In addition, it is necessary to take urgent measures to improve the conditions of the collection containers, as well as to increase the number of them and the total number of collection trucks.
Conventional collection method
The conventional collection method in suburban areas with tractors, wagons and dump trucks basically consists of a combination of street and home collection.
This system is fundamentally affected by:
- Lack of Vehicles and Containers The tanks provided and placed by the CDRs contribute to the inefficiency of the collection in terms of the time invested in the operation and the unpleasant environment resulting from the deplorable condition of the containers.
Collection method with Horse Carts
This method consists, fundamentally, in the collection in the street and within the home. Due to the obsolescence of this method, there are effects on its application that we can summarize as follows:
- It cannot cover the entire territory due to inefficiency in the operation. This operation has problems with limited speed, working hours, and pick-up capacity. Coverage area is very low. The local DMSC offices are then forced to use their wagon tractors or dump trucks to cover the entire collection area.
In most peripheral areas, waste is collected with horse carts or conventional vehicles, the waste generated in these areas is generally deposited in special period landfills, which are causing severe environmental effects, and for this reason, will be closed. Therefore, it is essential to replace horse carts with specialized vehicles that allow waste to be transported to the landfills of Calle 100 or Guanabacoa, which are located at a distance of approximately 20 or 30 kilometers from the periphery.
Summary
In summary, it is necessary to improve, in general, the collection and transportation system, taking into account the following aspects:
- Improve the condition of the containers, as well as increase the available number of them Improve the Specialized Collection system, including the possibility of increasing the number of compactor trucks Improve the Conventional Collection system Close the special period landfills that both affect the environment and are the least controlled.
Final disposition
It is vitally important to take into account the final disposal that is given to solid waste, since its effects are severe and in some cases may even be irreversible. That is why we must work on solving the existing difficulties, which we list below:
1- There are no sanitary landfills
- All the existing final disposal sites, whether provincial or municipal, and of course the special period landfills, do not have the necessary facilities for this type of activity; the most important ones are listed below: a coating system, facilities for the collection of leachate and treatment facilities, gas suction cups, slopes, etc., all of which are mandatory in a sanitary landfill.In addition, and in particular in special period landfills, the lack of soil covering frequently causes combustion natural environment and dirt, particularly plastic bags that are scattered around the nearby land.In the environmental aspect, the inhabitants and the organizations involved,are concerned about potential health risks and hygiene problems, contamination of surface and ground water, caused by leachate and dust from landfills, due to improper handling. As a result of the above, neighbors become They constantly complain that DPSC and municipal directorates close existing landfills, particularly special period landfills, and demand that new final disposal sites be built with the necessary conditions.in particular the special period landfills and demand that new final disposal sites be built with the necessary conditions.in particular the special period landfills and demand that new final disposal sites be built with the necessary conditions.
2- There is no landfill management
- Currently there are no scales for trucks in operation. It is essential to know the volume of weight and the composition of the waste when handling a landfill, a manual counting of the number of trucks that arrive at the landfills can give a volume greater than the real one. An automated control is required for the analysis of the real data. There is also no established environmental monitoring system. A monitoring system is required for leachate, gases and unpleasant odors.
3- Lack of equipment in landfills
- UPPH, the organization in charge of provincial final disposal sites, has only 5 front loaders (2 owned and 3 rented). In the special period landfills, managed by DMSC, leased or UPPH equipment is used, but in very limited numbers. That is why, with so little equipment, it is impossible to carry out daily soil covering and compaction in all existing landfills.
4- Lack of knowledge and experience on sanitary landfills
- Due to the absence of proper waste management, there are very few people who have the knowledge and experience to plan and design sanitary landfill facilities, based on reliable data and with a good monitoring system.
Recycling
Recycling plays a very important role in the procedure followed for the management of solid waste. Its success depends largely on the selective collection at source, since in this way it is possible to guarantee the separation of organic waste from the rest of the inert materials or inorganic matter, and thus achieve a superior quality in the products obtained through this type of segregation.
The selected organic waste will be used for the production of compost, and the rest of the non-compostable materials (aluminum, copper, glass, etc.) can be sold by the companies that recover raw materials.
In our country, the recovery of materials or recycling faces various difficulties that we will discuss below.
Difficulties in the recovery of recyclable waste
1- Lack of autonomy on the part of the units that make up the DPSC for the management of recyclable waste.
With this approach we want to highlight the difficulties that the units belonging to the DPSC present, with respect to the possibilities of selling recyclable waste at a fair and adequate price, which stimulates the recovery of this type of raw material, so important for the economy of the country. The Union of Companies for the Recovery of Raw Materials (UERMP), is in charge of purchasing these recyclable materials in the domestic market, for their subsequent sale in the international market.
2- Lack of incentives for the recovery of recyclable materials.
The DPSC does not obtain the benefits that it should obtain from the recovery of recyclable raw materials that are sold in the international market; these materials are aluminum, copper, bronze, glass, zinc, etc.
3- Absence of an internal market that demands recyclable raw materials.
The emergence of an internal market that demands recyclable materials would stimulate the recovery of waste by the units that make up the DPSC.
4- Absence of a selective recovery system at the generation source.
The absence of a selective collection system affects the efficient use of recyclable materials, since these generally arrive mixed at the recycling centers, making their segregation in the plant more difficult, for their future use.
The management of MSW and its environmental impact
Social Impacts
We can say that regarding this issue, there is limited decision-making that has to do with the effects that mismanagement of urban solid waste causes on the population, which makes it very difficult to assess this problem in all its magnitude. For this reason, the DPSC can only act when it receives complaints from the population about the effects caused by solid waste, so problems cannot be anticipated in advance enough to find a solution before they cause environmental effects. that cause so much annoyance in the community.
The organization lacks a quantitative database that allows to implement actions in accordance with the social and environmental needs that the country demands, this is the reason why it is necessary to create a permanent monitoring system for the management of the MSW, and in this way to be able to develop basic indicators that contribute to raising the quality of MSW management.
The social aspect occupies a place of highest priority in the process of collection, treatment and final disposal of MSW, which is why an environmental education strategy for the community must be considered that takes into account the issues related to the valuation of the waste. MSW and its importance from a social, economic and environmental point of view.
Main Environmental Problems in Cuba
As a result of studies carried out, the issues that we list below have been identified as the main difficulties that affect the environment in our country:
- Soil degradation (erosion, insufficient drainage, salinization, acidity, compaction, among others. Deterioration of sanitation and environmental conditions in certain human settlements. Water pollution, both on land and in the sea. Deforestation. Loss of biological diversity.
These serious problems occur in the City of Havana, having as fundamental causes, human activity and economic and technological development. Uncontrolled activities and mismanagement of MSW have a negative impact on the environment, and to improve this situation, it is necessary to increase the implementation of adequate environmental considerations for the management of MSW.
At present, a series of aspects related to environmental considerations that must be followed in the management of MSW must be improved, these difficulties are associated with:
- Existence of an insufficient system for environmental monitoring Inadequate environmental conservation of landfills (sanitary landfills) Environmental considerations are not the most appropriate for the first phases of the projects to be undertaken.
We will explain each of these aspects below:
1- Insufficient environmental monitoring system
At this time, no monitoring is carried out inside or around the landfills. Therefore, there is a very limited amount of data to be able to assess with a certain degree of depth, the situation that our landfills present, thus allowing to take the most effective measures to counteract the effects that occur as a result of the contamination caused by the Solid waste..
To respond to this serious situation, a laboratory for the analysis of solid waste, leachate and air quality is in the completion phase. Currently, its workforce and some of its teams are in the completion phase. The laboratory will allow the collection of environmental data that will make it possible to carry out a scientific and in-depth study of the environmental situation of landfills and other contaminated areas, take the pertinent measures and evaluate the effect that these measures have on the human and environmental health of the capital.
Description of the laboratory for the analysis of Solid Residues (LARE)
Mission
Characterize solid, liquid and gaseous waste, as well as the useful by-products obtained from them (sludge, compost, worm castings, biogas and others), using advanced methods, operated by a multidisciplinary team with a system of established quality, which allows to provide an effective and efficient service, contributing to the protection of the environment and the training of specialized personnel in this field.
Description of the different areas and working groups
Technical support group:
His work is aimed at taking, receiving and preparing the sample. Through this work, the solid waste samples and the by-products that can be obtained from them are characterized through the drying, sieving, division of elements and preparation of the samples for subsequent analysis.
In the area of heat (belonging to this same work group), by means of the following means and work instruments: muffle, stove, and water bath, it is possible to convert portions of samples under analysis into ashes that will allow to determine and analyze the amount of potassium (K) contained in it.
The balance area, which has an analytical balance and a digital technical one, can carry out a precise weighing of the elements contained in the sample.
The group also has a distillation area to deionize, distill and obtain ultra-pure water.
Trace elements group:
This group is in charge of carrying out an analysis of the heavy metals (lead, manganese, zinc, copper, chromium, and others) that may be present in the sample, using atomic absorption equipment for this work.
The group also has the task of carrying out a physical-chemical and biochemical analysis of the samples, in order to determine the macroelements present in them, such as: sodium, potassium, magnesium, PH; also calculating the conductivity and density of the solution.
In the laboratory there is a microbiology area, whose function is to determine the pathogens that may be present in the sample.
A chromatography area is planned whose function is to selectively determine elements: organic compounds, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and others.
This laboratory will also have two classrooms and an amphitheater for the training of its personnel, and to provide these services to other organizations and institutions that request it.
In order to carry out its important function, the laboratory for waste analysis (LARE) must be accredited by the National Accreditation Office of the Republic of Cuba (ONARC), according to Cuban Standard 17025 corresponding to service institutions.
2- Environmental conservation of landfills
The necessary environmental measures have not been taken in the landfills, nor have measures been implemented in them to mitigate the negative impacts that the dumped waste is causing on the environment. Even the special period landfills were built very close to residential areas, which causes serious damage to these communities.
The most significant environmental impacts caused by our landfills are:
- Air pollution Pollution of surface waters and underground areas Bad odors Proliferation of pests and harmful insects Deterioration of the landscape.
Alternative solutions that could clean up the situation created in landfills:
- Installations for the composting of organic matter Creation of plants for the treatment of leachates Installations for the drainage of groundwater Equipment for the final treatment of gas and soil cover
3- Inadequate environmental considerations in the early phases of the project
In our country, environmental considerations prior to the construction of a landfill are carried out through an initial environmental examination. The acquisition of the environmental license and the preparation of the environmental monitoring plan must be mandatory for each newly created landfill, as well as for other alternative environmental solutions, to counteract environmental deterioration (composting plant, facilities for draining the groundwater, leachate treatment plants, etc.). However, the procedure currently being followed in the initial environmental review is to implement the measures after the selection, location and determination of the size of the project. Generally, this examination should be carried out previously, at the time the pre-feasibility study is carried out,since in this way, the project could be subjected to the necessary modifications and changes at the required time.
Citizen participation in Environmental Sanitation
The search for new sources of natural resources has made the large amount of waste that we generate serve us as an inexhaustible source of resources, through proper management of them.
Recycling, together with landfill and incineration, are the most effective processes for waste treatment. Recycling not only requires knowledge, a citizen conscience that differentiates and separates waste from each other; but also from a demand for waste that creates a market, bringing together collective interests and needs.
The environmental education of the population, pursues a change of attitude that makes it possible to create awareness about the impact of human beings on ecological systems to propose alternatives that solve the problem of environmental pollution.
Environmental education based on the administration of resources is necessary, which leads children, fundamentally, to acquire a clearer and more objective idea of the functioning of society in general. Teach them that the fundamental thing in the administration of resources is to eliminate waste.
To achieve a change in attitude in citizens, it is necessary to go through several stages in environmental education:
Information Need
The person must be duly informed of the problems that affect their community, their causes and consequences, as well as their individual and collective responsibility for environmental problems. In this stage the mass media play an important role, a correctly informed individual soon becomes aware of the scope of the problems, which leads to a change in attitude and determines their active participation in solving the situation created as a result of the environmental pollution. However, it is a long and lasting process.
It is necessary to formally and informally educate citizens, and also the mass media, about the value of nature, and the consequences suffered when we damage it, and also about the measures to be used for its restoration and care.. With all this, the aim is to develop and promote in society a culture that reflects the integration and internalization of key elements for the protection of the environment in daily actions.
Environmental education becomes a fundamental element with respect to sustainable development, since this goal could not be achieved without capturing the attention of community members, making them aware of these problems and designing direct ways to collaborate and participate in the sanitation of their respective communities.
Recycling requires adequate technologies to incorporate waste back into the cycle of nature, but without the conscious and active participation of the population, it loses its effectiveness.
In this endeavor we must add all the efforts in which the school, the mass media, government organizations, municipal cleaning services, companies that work with recoverable and recyclable materials, and those who are willing to create a space in the market for products made from waste.
An environmental culture will give us a healthier environment, with less air, soil and water pollution, and will allow us to deliver a more livable world to future generations.
In order to carry out a work of this magnitude, a set of well-studied and formulated alternative projects are needed, and on the other hand, there must be rational criteria and methods for the evaluation and selection of alternative investment projects associated with environmental sanitation..
Alfonso del Val. The recycling book. Editorial Integral Barcelona 1999
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