Management of domestic solid waste in rural communities – a case study of the Río Blanco community, Ecuador

Abstract

The current study focused on the proposal of a comprehensive management system for domestic solid waste in the rural community of Río Blanco belonging to the indigenous Ecuadorian Kichwa nationality. In this community, the burning of domestic solid waste is the only management strategy commonly used, which has generated various environmental and health impacts on the population. Therefore, here we focused on diagnosing the socio-environmental condition of the community through surveys in order to determine the average daily per capita production of domestic solid waste. This occurred through a characterization applying the methodology of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and in the development of a proposal for a management model appropriate to the present demographic characteristics, from environmental education to its final disposal. The results obtained determined that the average DPCP of the community is 0.205 kg/person/day and the predominant category was the organic fraction with 45.84% of a total of 23.62 kg of solid waste produced. Finally, as appropriate management and use initiatives, we proposed the adaptation of an area for the generation of compost and a recycling system that allows obtaining economic resources for the benefit of the population.