Environmental characterization and perception of urban solid wastes in different social classes in Alfenas MG Brazil

Abstract

Urban domestic solid wastes in Alfenas MG Brazil were characterized from the social, economical and cultural point of view. They were collected from five different sites that represented three main segments of the population, namely, low, middle and high classes. Research was motivated by an investigation for the establishment of an integrated management program of solid wastes in the municipality and could underpin future extension and research studies on recycling potentiality of materials which are daily placed in a controlled waste dump. The population’s perception on its participation in the process and the need of programs in environmental education was evaluated. Results showed that approximately 55% of home wastes comprised organic matter and 45% were made up of dry residues. A more detailed analysis of the latter showed that approximately 65% included paper and plastic, followed by glass, aluminum and other metals. A rough separation of plastic matter produced polyethylene, ethylene polyterephthalate, vinyl polychloride, polypropylene and polystyrene. Polyethylene had the highest contribution in the production of solid wastes. Mean urban solid waste index for Alfenas was 0.5 kg / inhab./day, with a standard deviation of 0.1 kg/inhab./day. Results showed that approximately 20 tons/month of wastes with cycling potential were deposited in the controlled dump.