Gravimetric composition of municipal solid waste disposed in a large-scale experimental cell in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The increasing consumption in emerging countries like Brazil has caused the increased generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and hence the demand for environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive disposal of the waste, such as sanitary landfills. In this research, it is presented the gravimetric composition of MSW disposed in a large-scale experimental cell, built on a sanitary landfill, Campinas, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. For such, it was adopted the hypothesis that the characteristics of MSW vary with the income level of the population and the type of activity that generates it (domestic or commercial). Twenty-two tests were performed for gravimetric characterisation. Statistical analyses considering the results of this characterisation showed that the adopted hypothesis was correct. The MSW composition was preponderant by organic matter (52.7%), paper (17.5%) and plastic (13.0%). The methodology used was considered feasible to achieve the proposed objective of the characterisation.