Characterization Of Municipal Solid Waste Research Articles

Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste of the Karwi

Abstract: Due to rapid increasing population, urbanization and industrialization waste generation rate also increases but, Municipal authorities are not able to collect all waste and they are not having advance technology for treating such waste it gives result in form of pollution. The paper aims to characterize the waste generated in municipality of Karwi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Municipal Solid waste(MSW) is a heterogeneous waste and composition of the waste varied from place to place. First of all, the entire study area was surveyed to obtain essential information regarding waste generation areas and collection points. On the basis of information, representative sample were selected in each point. Collected samples were thoroughly mixed and segregated into different categories and data represented in percentage. The characteristics of the municipal solid waste were determined in terms of the components, average mass (kg) and percentage .Characterization of municipal solid waste shows Karwi waste comprise maximum plastic (29.01%), Metal (0.025%), Wood(0.0215%), Cardboard(3.77%), Rubber(1.9%), Paper(5.1%), Rags(3.22%), Packaging Material (11.02%), Glass (8.42%), Compost (8.025%). Thus, on the basis of this study we may conclude that solid waste management and recycling is major issue of Varanasi district. We can reuse various types of waste depending upon the nature of waste. We can also make alternate use of that waste like energy production. Community participation in solid waste management may be a better option

Quantification and characterization of municipal solid waste at aler dumpsite, Lira City, Uganda: Assessing pollution levels and health risks

Managing municipal solid waste (MSW) in urban areas of developing countries is a significant challenge due to rapid urbanization and inadequate infrastructure. This study aims to quantify the MSW at Aler dumpsite in Lira City, Uganda, and assess the associated environmental and health risks. Our findings revealed a daily dumping rate of 7.38 tons, predominantly organic waste. Leachate from the site exceeded WHO limits for nutrients and heavy metals, with exceptionally high amounts of cadmium (Cd) found in soil (4.8 mg/kg) and vegetables. The water quality in nearby streams was poor, rendering it unfit for consumption due to elevated ion and nutrient levels. Health risk assessments indicated significant non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metal ingestion, with a hazard index (HI) of 4.6 for adults and 9.6 for children. While dermal exposure risks were generally low, children were at risk from stream 1 (HQderm = 1.165). Vegetable analysis revealed levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) above safe doses, posing significant non-carcinogenic risks. To address these issues, we recommend increasing public awareness to avoid consuming water and vegetables from areas around the dump site. Additionally, we suggest that the responsible authorities improve MSW management by constructing sanitary landfills to minimize water, soil, and plant pollution from landfill leachate.

Characterization of municipal solid waste with the perspective of biofuels and bioproducts recovery in Northeast Mexico

This work focuses on analyzing the physical composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the physicochemical characterization of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) in a city in Northeast Mexico to propose an adequate treatment and valorization system. Diverse samples were analyzed over 5 months at the city of Saltillo landfill, where the daily discarded MSW was classified into household (HW), central market waste (CMW), and public areas and parks waste (PPW). For the HW and CMW, the fraction with the highest proportion was the organic residues from food products, with 22.15 and 25.78%, followed by other organic wastes (manure, yard waste, leaves, etc.) at 12.58 and 10.24%, respectively. Furthermore, the organic fraction was segregated from the rest of the MSW and classified into four subtypes, and their physical composition and physicochemical characteristics were determined. The results contribute to laying the foundations for the proper treatment of the OFMSW not just in the studied region but also in cities with similar conditions. Moreover, the OFMSW’s feasibility in treating via bioenergy technologies is revealed, and this research proposes a biorefinery treatment pathway through dark fermentation followed by high solids anaerobic digestion generating bioenergy and diverse bioproducts.

Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste Based on Seasonal Diversity as Energy Potential Materials

Abstract Interrelated problems related to resource availability and population growth rates, such as energy demand and waste generation, have become pressing global concerns. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) poses a significant challenge due to its impact on society and the environment, including the associated hazards and threats. This study was conducted at the Piyungan Integrated Santary Landfill (TPST Piyungan) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from June to November 2022. The annual waste generation in the city is 586,267.37 tons per year in 2021, with a daily per capita waste generation rate of 0.43 kg/person. Two types of MSW samples were collected during the dry and rainy season to assess their composition. The collected samples were sorted, sun-dried, quartered, and reduced to 1mm particles for proximate analysis. The results of MSW characterization revealed that non-organic combustible materials accounted for a higher percentage during the dry season (62.7%) compared to the rainy season (53.1%). Conversely, organic matter constituted a higher proportion during the rainy season (36.7%) compared to the dry season (30.4%). The moisture content ranged from 4 to 11%, volatile matter content varied between 60% and 66%, and fixed carbon content ranged from 19 to 31%. The energy content of MSW during the dry season was measured at 20.67 MJ/kg, while in the rainy season, it yielded 14.99 MJ/kg. These findings indicate that due to the substantial energy content and waste generation rates, waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies can be effectively applied to manage MSW in Yogyakarta, simultaneously reducing waste volumes and recovering energy.

Non-recyclable municipal solid waste characterization and pyrolysis for energy recovery

European regulations require that by 2030 waste suitable for recycling, material recovery, or energy recovery will no longer be allowed in landfills. MSW composition in non-recyclable containers affects what measures for recovery could be implemented. This study is a screening examination of 32 non-recyclable MSW samples in the Getafe municipality (Spain). In addition to non-combustible elements, MSW is separated into 15 waste materials. Merely 18.1 % of the non-recyclable component is placed in appropriate containers. Composition of all materials is analyzed. MSW samples are grouped into six clusters with similar properties using the K-nearest neighbor methodology. Representative sample from each cluster is pyrolyzed at 520 °C. The main product of pyrolysis is liquid, which makes up 57.9 wt%, while solid and gas fractions are 16.4 and 16.5 wt%, respectively. Liquid fraction is a blend of aromatic, aliphatic, oxygenated, and nitrogenated compounds, while gas fraction is mainly CO2.

An innovative approach to municipal solid waste characterization for waste-to-energy processes in Egypt

This study enhances municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization methodologies by introducing an innovative sampling approach that prioritizes organic content over traditional components like paper and cartons, particularly suited to developing countries like Egypt. This innovative method adapts the ASTM D5231 − 92 standard to capture the actual MSW profile in the Giza governorate, where this research was carried out. Focusing on organic waste, this approach ensures more relevant and accurate data for waste-to-energy (WtE) conversion processes. This research documents significant seasonal variability in waste composition, with organic content averaging 66 % in winter compared to 59 % in fall. The energy-rich fraction shows similar variability, with winter having an average of 28 % compared to fall's 30 %. Moreover, the calorific value is notably higher in winter at 10.3 MJ/kg, compared to 8.4 MJ/kg in fall. These variations are critical for optimizing energy recovery processes in WtE projects. The results from this case study contribute to the limited but growing body of knowledge on waste management in Egypt, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of adapting standard characterization methods to local conditions. The insights gained from this research fill a notable gap in the regional waste management literature and enhance the scientific understanding of how seasonal factors affect MSW properties, providing a robust framework for improving waste management practices in similar settings globally.

Evaluation of municipal solid waste characterization and landfill gas power plant electrical energy production efficiency during COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount and types of municipal solid waste (MSW) have dramatically changed. This study focuses on characterizing the MSWs in the regular waste storage facility (RWSF) in Izmir, Turkey, and determining the electrical energy that can be produced by the landfill gas power plant (LFGPP) established to convert the waste to energy (WtE). Therefore, firstly the MSWs were characterized. After, the amount of produced methane (CH4) gas was determined using Landfill Gas Emissions Modeling (LandGEM). The amount of generated electricity, the dependent variable in the LandGEM model, was most influenced by the quantity of MSW, garbage disposal processes, and maintenance times of gas generators, while other factors remained relatively weak. This situation has also been confirmed in the field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in MSW was 9.8% in 2020 and 10.3% in 2021. Kitchen waste containing the highest CH4, accounted for 38% of the MSW characterization. The amount of generated electricity in the LandGEM model was 237 GWh in 2020 and 245 GWh in 2021. While these values could be achieved by 11.25% in 2020 due to various system and field failures, they reached 79.73% in 2021 due to system and field improvements.

Characterization of municipal solid waste in Kuwait: Sector-specific composition analysis and implications

ABSTRACT Municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization plays a pivotal role in devising effective waste management strategies conducive to fostering a circular economy. This study presents composition analysis across twenty-four subcategories sourced from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Kuwait. The study is conducted in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste (ASTM D5231). The results indicate that organic waste comprises 45.3%, followed by paper waste (19.9%) and plastics (19.8%). The remaining waste comprises glass waste (3.5%), diapers (2.7%), textiles (2.6%) and other waste. Paper waste (19.9%) consists mainly of mixed paper (12.1%), cardboard (3.7%), newspaper (3.3%), printer printouts (0.6%) and other office paper (0.2%). Plastic waste (19.8%) consists mainly of film (11.2%), PET (3.1%), HDPE (1.1%) and other mixed plastics (4.4%). Residential and mixed areas have the highest proportion of organic waste. Commercial areas produce the highest proportion of wastepaper (22.4%) and textiles (3.7%). Industrial areas produce the highest proportion of plastic waste (29.1%), most of which is film (17.3%). The study also provides an overview of the MSW management system in the country, an overview over the legislative framework, and forecasts of future waste generation rates with comparison to historical baselines. Implications: The precise and up-to-date characterization of municipal solid waste is imperative for scholarly journal submissions, as it establishes a foundational understanding of waste composition, aiding researchers and policymakers in the development of effective waste management strategies, resource recovery initiatives, and sustainable solutions to address the evolving challenges in waste management systems. This study provides detailed composition analysis for twenty-four municipal solid waste (MSW) subcategories collected across different sources: residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed areas. Time series forecasting is applied to predict MSW generation based on historical data obtained through the local municipality over the past decade. Factorial analysis is applied to investigate changes across source areas, and a hypothesis test is used to compare the current MSW composition against previous baselines. The results demonstrated significant variation across most waste categories. The plastic waste proportion has increased by 48.5% compared to 2013 data, despite awareness campaigns. Paper waste has also increased in proportion from 6.8% to 16.2%; this increase is associated with the mixed paper subcategory, which is mostly used for packaging. The composition data provided in this study are necessary for long-term monitoring, strategy assessment, and legislation associated with waste reduction and remediation.

Geotechnical Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in Raipur City, Chhattisgarh

Geotechnical Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in Raipur City, Chhattisgarh

A method for determining the recycling value of unprocessed municipal solid waste in one cubic meter waste composition analysis technique

The transition from conventional landfill-centric waste management to resource-centric methodologies necessitates an enhanced comprehension of municipal solid waste (MSW) composition and its inherent value. Existing methodologies documented in the literature exhibit a lack of standardization, impending the formulation of a systematic engineering approach for MSW characterization and valuation. This study introduces a methodology specifically tailored to discern the composition of waste origination from urban households and evaluate its recyclability within the confines of a circular economy framework, Employing a volume-based measurement approach, aims to estimate the recycling value of waste materials. The study's outcomes contribute significantly to quantifying the potential recycling value that accrues to society. Furthermore, the validation of the proposed protocol elucidates the dynamic nature of recyclable value as it traverses the intricate pathways of the waste supply chain. This insight facilitates the formulation of commercial models grounded in circular economy principles for the effective management of household solid waste. Empirical findings reveal that the total recycling value fluctuates within the range of USD 3.39 and USD 5.76 per cubic meter of waste volume, contingent upon the specific waste composition at the experiment site. Additionally, the proposed methodology uncovers the nuanced variability in MSW composition and recycling value across diverse household collection patterns, identifying mixed plastic, paper, cardboard, mixed MSW, and clothing as primary constituents. The application of this methodology extends beyond mere quantification, providing a foundational framework for simulating the latent recycling value embedded within MSW samples. This, in turn, offers invaluable support to strategy developers, policymakers, and entrepreneurial ventures engaged in the sustainable management of household solid waste. In essence, this study establishes the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of MSW composition and its recyclability, facilitating informed decision-making in the pursuit of a circular economy.•Novel methodology based on one cubic meter (1m3) composition analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).•A new method to evaluate the recycling value of Municipal Solid Waste.•A basis for business model development for the waste-to-resource conversion model.

A Study on Physical Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste of Jammu City on the basis of Socioeconomic Status of the Population

Generation of waste has been associated with humans since dawn of civilization. But in recent decades due to factors like ever increasing population, urbanization and industrialization, the amount of waste generated has spiked to enormous proportions. The composition of waste has significantly changed since plastic was first used in the middle of the 19th century. MSW management is a significant environmental concern in India. Jammu City generates an immense amount of solid waste, approximately 350–400 metric tons (MT) daily, with an individual generation rate of around 0.55 kg per day. MSW management in Jammu City is handled by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). In the city, MSW collection, transportation, and disposal are all handled by JMC. MSW of Jammu city is disposed at Kot Bhalwal which is an open landfill site. As of now no prior treatment of MSW is being done. Present study attempts to assess the current state of MSW management in Jammu city. Sampling was done in the month of July, 2022 from 15 different wards classified in the basis of socioeconomic status and physical characterization of MSW was conducted. This paper analyzes the results obtained from physical characteristics of MSW from three diverse socioeconomic groups HIG, MIG and LIG. This would help in understanding the waste generation pattern of different socioeconomic groups. MSW from MIG contains large proportion of organic matter (55%) and is thus suitable for composting and bio-methanation, however MSW collected from HIG locality contain high proportion of inorganic materials like paper/cardboard, plastic, polythene and textile waste and therefore it is suitable for Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) facility. MSW from Jammu city also contain high fraction of inert waste (20% to 45%). Inert waste can be easily disposed but when it is mixed with MSW it increases the volume and weight of total MSW and therefore increase the difficulty if MSW management. This study also explores the alternative approaches to MSWM in Jammu city. Data generated by present study will be beneficial to JMC for designing future course of action for management of MSW of Jammu City.

Evaluation of the Methane (CH4) Generation Rate Constant (k Value) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Mogadishu City, Somalia

Landfills are the third largest source of the greenhouse gas methane, contributing to 25% of global warming. Therefore, the characterization of national municipal solid waste (MSW) and estimation of methane generation rate are very important for the solid waste management (SWM) toward sustainable development goal no. 13, climate action. This study presents (a) an assessment of daily MSW generation, (b) the characterization of MSW, and (c) an evaluation of the methane generation rate constant (k value) in Mogadishu, Somalia. The MSW samples were collected from three (3) sampling zones (Zones 1, 2, and 3; 204 households) and weighted (kg). Next, the waste generation per person per day was estimated. The MSW characterization includes sorting (based on plastic/polythene, food wastes, wood, metals, yard waste, paper/cardboard, textile, glass/ceramic and miscellaneous components, %), the determination of bulk density (kg/L), and measuring moisture content (%). The k values were evaluated from the percentages of different components in MSW based on first-order decay models. Mogadishu city generated 1671.03 kg MSW per week (maximum on Friday: 348.72 kg, and minimum on Monday: 152.04 kg). The total mean MSW generation rate observed in this study was 0.2 kg/person/day. The solid waste generation found was in the decreasing order of food waste > plastic/polythene > yard waste > miscellaneous > papers/carboard > wood > glass/ceramic > textiles > metals by weight. The average bulk density was found to be 0.269 kg/L. The average moisture content was ranged from 61.6 to 73%. The total k values were categorized as fast (Zone 1: 0.216053 yr−1, Zone 2: 0.228739 yr−1, and Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) and moderate (Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) degradation. This research serves as Somalian MSW baseline data and projected the methane generation rate from the MSW production in the country. The MSW sorting may reduce the impact of global warming and is highly recommended for better SWM in the future.

Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste Generated in Some Egyptian Cities

Municipal solid waste (MSW) poses a cumulative problem related to many aspects, namely, social, economic, and cultural. Therefore, such a situation must be accompanied by the development of well-established management systems starting with the knowledge of MSW quantities, its quality and characterization and ending with a suitable landfilling technique. This work aims to characterize Egyptian municipal solid waste generated from two cities in Great Cairo, where 45 samples were collected regularly. The research was carried out by researchers in the Chemical Engineering Department at Cairo University and selected undergraduate students from October to December 2020. The collected MSW was characterized by evaluating the quality and quantity of generated waste. Selected properties considered were: composition (including the organic fraction, papers, plastics, textiles, metals, glass, and others), density, moisture content, calorific value, and Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulfer (CHNS) chemical elemental analysis. The results obtained showed that the organic fraction was dominant to other fractions (4287%) and the carbon content was more than 47% and the calorific values to range between 4360-12277 kJ/kg. The results obtained were used as a base for a waste management proposal, either from mass recovery for highrecyclable samples or energy recovery for high calorific value waste. In other circumstances, waste-to-energy WTE processes were recommended as a promising solution to developing countries in the world where the energy demand is essential for the life.

An elastoplastic constitutive model for municipal solid waste (MSW) incorporating solid particle compression and fibrous reinforcing effect

The failures in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills could result in considerable ecological as well as social problems. Numerical simulations are widely employed to analyze MSW deformation and stability. These methods require an appropriate stress-strain characterization of MSW, which is crucial. Different from soils, the extremely complicated constituents of MSW contain a large number of fibrous reinforced and particle compressible materials. The findings of numerous tests suggest that the fiber reinforced phase and the basic phase are solely responsible for determining the mechanical properties of MSW. On the basis of the double-phase assumption, a new plastic potential function of MSW is developed considering that the reinforcement of fibrous materials only relates to plastic shear strain and the particle compression only affects plastic volumetric strain. According to the associate flow rule, a constitutive model based on elastoplasticity is developed for MSW. The strain hardening behaviour of MSW is well predicted by the model, and this behaviour is in good agreement with experimental evidence. Effects of confining pressure and fibre content are modelled, together with the mechanical and deformation behaviour of MSW. The accurate calculation of effective stresses is obtained through considering the MSW particle compression under the undrained conditions. Parametric investigations calibrate the model and show its properties by comparing them to data from triaxial tests. Moreover, incorporating the proposed model, finite-element numerical simulation was conducted, and the results of finite-element numerical simulation were compared with field monitoring results.

Characterization of municipal solid waste for effective utilization as an alternative source for clean energy production

Renewable energy resources become an alternative to fossil fuels and help to mitigate the issues relevant to environmental sustainability. Some organic waste materials are harmful to the environment, but they offer a useful bioresource for renewable energy production. In this study, municipal solid waste (MSW) collected from Chattogram City was characterized for its effective utilization of energy production. Proximate analysis showed that the MSW has high ash and moisture content which needs further separation and purification. Elemental analysis reveals the presence of a lower amount of sulfur and nitrogen content. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis depicted that it has hydrocarbons with some compounds of sulfur and nitrogen. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that MSW can be degraded through three stages corresponding to the presence of moisture content, lower hydrocarbons, and higher hydrocarbons. Based on the characterization and subsequent analysis, it can be concluded that municipal solid waste has potential for utilization as an alternative source of energy, after proper separation and purification.

Evaluation of energy sources from municipal solid waste of Gujranwala city in Pakistan

The worldwide atmosphere has been seriously deteriorating due to the poor handling of waste produced in order to get useful products for achieving the high living standards and technological development. Therefore, waste management is a serious concern to avoid ecological damage. Methane gas generated on waste landfill sites is the source of greenhouse gas that is prime contributors to environmental degradation. The main intention is to measure the amount of methane gas produced from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) at the site of Bakhrewali in the Cantonment (Rahwali), Gujranwala, Pakistan and to estimate the extent of energy that potentially could be retrieved from the MSW site. The waste samples were gathered to evaluate the energy content, composition, and methane concentration. The findings from the MSW characterization revealed that the primary constituent of Bahrewali site, Gujranwala MSW is organic waste. The concentration of methane from sites 1, 2 and 3 were analysed to be 118.45, 35.32, 48.26 ppm methane/g waste. The calorific value of samples 1, 2 and 3 were determined to be 13.45, 12.24, and 11.01 MJ/kg respectively. The outcomes confirm that there is production of methane at the waste sites and the municipal waste could be utilized for energy recovery. The analysis of samples collected from MSW sites shows that there is great potential in the waste to be combusted and used for electricity generation.

Characterization of municipal solid waste: Measures towards management strategies using statistical analysis

Implementing unified municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is often difficult due to socio-economic variables. However, spatial GIS models and statistical analysis of solid waste characterized by the weekdays, weekends, and festivals can somewhat mitigate the variance and assist with selecting suitable waste management methods. This paper presents the example of Rajouri, India, to propose a suitable MSWM based on Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) intensity maps and statistical findings. The considered region was divided into different sample sites based on the local population density, and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) was collected from four locations in each site on weekdays, weekends, and festivals. Compositional analysis of the MSW was then used to generate spatial IDW models in QGIS 3.22.7 to interpolate MSW generation over the entire area. Finally, statistical analysis was conducted to gain insight into the waste generation and accumulation trends. The results show that Rajouri produces 245 tonnes of waste daily (per capita: 0.382 kg/day) with a large organic fraction compared to other waste categories. Besides, waste generation is observed to increase over weekends and festivals due to increased consumption of material goods. Composting could serve as a vector for municipal solid waste because of its increased organic component and cost constraints. However, further research on the potential segregation techniques for the organic fraction of solid waste is needed.

Status of solid waste generation in municipal corporation cities of Maharashtra in India: a review

Generation of municipal solid waste to manage is a major environmental issue in Maharashtra. Due to rapid increase in industrialization, urbanization and population growth, the generation rate of municipal solid waste in Maharashtrian cities and towns also increased. Mishandling of municipal solid waste can cause adverse environmental impacts, public health risks and other socio-economic problems. Present investigation has been carried out to study the altering tendencies of quantity and features of municipal solid waste. The changing pattern of waste composition highlights the importance of isolation for effective process of waste management amenities. Municipal experts should maintain the storing facilities in such a way that they do not generate unhygienic and contaminated situations. A fresh survey would be carried out on the generation and characterization of municipal solid waste in Maharashtra. Subsequently, the municipal solid waste is varied in nature, many samples must be collected and examined to obtain statistically reliable consequences. This overview on status of solid waste management in Maharashtrian cities in India will be beneficial for the competent authorities responsible for municipal solid waste management and researchers to prepare more resourceful strategies.

Seasonal Characterization and Possible Solutions for Municipal Solid Waste Management in the City of Patna, Bihar, India

The present study aims to characterize the municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the municipality of Patna, the second-largest city in Eastern India. MSW is heterogeneous and the composition varies with seasons and within the different parts of the city. MSW samples were characterized for the three different seasons Winter (November), Summer (May), and Monsoon (August) to select feasible waste treatment methods. The physical characterization indicates that the major fractions of the MSW were biodegradable (48.83%) and inert (18.26%), which shows variations in different seasons of about ~5%. On a seasonal basis, the chemical characterization of MSW revealed that the moisture content varies between 43.21% to 51.78%, and volatile matter between 20.18% to 29.45%. ash content between 20.20% to 26.23% and fixed carbon between 4.11% to 5.91%. The C/N was found to be between 15.81 to 28.84 and the calorific value lies between 1212 to 2627 kcal.kg-1 during different seasons. The characterization of MSW highlights the virtue of waste segregation at the source and developing an efficient MSW system, including the potential for recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, and production of refuse-derived fuels (RDFs). The outcomes of the present study will be helpful for Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) in the planning for implementing suitable waste treatment technologies for integrated solid waste management systems (ISWM).

Characterization of municipal solid waste in the municipality of Simão Dias (SE)

Inadequate disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) is a common practice in some Brazilian municipalities, raising the level of economic and socio-environmental impacts. The main objective was to characterize the MSW of the municipality of Simão Dias (SE) through field visitations. The elaboration tools were a checklist, characterization sheet, and observation evaluation matrices (GUT and SWOT). Eighty-four (84) points were identified as irregular deposit spots for these materials, of which the volume estimated was around 6,150m³. A disposal period of 3 years has been considered in the visited places, and the estimated cost was approximately R$319,234 (R$2.63/hab. year) for the withdrawal of MSW at all points. Most observations (73.8%) occurred due to the accumulation of construction waste. The main challenges were the inexistence of public policies for proper MSW management, as recommended by Federal Law 12.305/2010; lack of knowledge about the origin and quantification of MSW by the local government; lack of adequate segregation at the generating source and inefficiency of actions for selective collection. Among the opportunities that stand out, the performance of the existing cooperative and the participation in an inter-municipal consortium are the most noteworthy. The main contribution of the study was the organization of information to support municipal decision-making in this sector.