Household Solid WasteManagement in the Dominican Republic: Case of the Municipality of Puñal, Santiago

Edian F Franco,Karina Pérez Teruel,Wilfredo Padrón Iglesia

doi:10.3390/su14063149

Edian F Franco, Karina Pérez Teruel + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063149

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Abstract

One of the biggest problems that the Dominican Republic has had in recent decades is the efficient management of solid domestic waste. This problem has worsened in recent years due to the decrease in available areas for the construction of sanitary landfills, the lack of recycling culture in the population, the deficiency in waste collection, and the scarce legal controls aimed at preserving water, air and soil among other factors. The objective of this study is to explore the management of solid waste by the population and the municipality of Puñal, province of Santiago, to evaluate and analyze the situation and generation of solid waste, municipal solid waste management services, and the attitudes of the population regarding recycling projects and waste management. A total of 275 households from 29 localities in the municipality of Puñal were surveyed, which allowed for a significant population sample. According to the results, the most significant type of waste produced by families is organic waste, followed by plastic waste and paper. Of the total organic waste produced in the municipality, 53% of solids wastes are handled through the municipal waste collection system, while 47% is used as plant fertilizers or animal feed. On the other hand, most households receive the municipal waste collection service and pay for this service, through which the municipal government collects, processes, and deposits the waste in different landfills. However, a more efficient waste collection system and the development of programs and projects that allow households to manage the solid waste efficiently they produce would be necessary.

Highlights

The generation of solid waste in the Dominican Republic is considered a significant problem due to the decrease in available areas for the construction of sanitary landfills, the lack of recycling culture in the population, and the few legal controls aimed at preserving water, air, and soil, among other factors [1,2]
Solid Waste (MSW), issued by the Ministry of the Environment in 2014. This strategy establishes that the solution to the problem of solid waste in the Dominican Republic must be based on a global and long-term vision, which can respond to the needs and circumstances of the different municipalities and provinces of the country, seeking an adequate comprehensive solution from the economic, social and environmental points of view, with the active and conscious of citizens [1]
This study aims to explore solid waste management by the population and the municipality of Puñal, Santiago province, Dominican Republic, to assess and analyze the generation, management, and disposal of solid waste, as well as the population’s attitudes towards solid waste recycling and reuse projects of solid waste

Summary

Introduction

The generation of solid waste in the Dominican Republic is considered a significant problem due to the decrease in available areas for the construction of sanitary landfills, the lack of recycling culture in the population, and the few legal controls aimed at preserving water, air, and soil, among other factors [1,2].In recent years, the country has undertaken a process of ordering and regulating solid waste through mechanisms such as the Policy for the Integral Management of MunicipalSolid Waste (MSW), issued by the Ministry of the Environment in 2014. Sustainability 2022, 14, 3149 to promote reduction, reuse, recycling, use, and recovery These legal instruments show the need for the country to take advantage of its waste to generate new products and use its energy potential, among other possibilities offered by the adequate treatment of waste [3]. Despite these regulations, the efficient management of municipal solid waste represents one of the main challenges for most municipal managers due to the deficiencies accumulated over the years. These challenges include the deficiency in the collection of domestic and industrial waste, the inefficiency of the collection routes, the final disposal of waste that is traditionally taking place in the open air without meeting minimum sanitary and environmental standards, in addition to the lack of public policies and municipal projects for waste recycling and revaluation [2]

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