Disaster waste: Characterization and quantification applied to an intense rain event

The amount and complexity of solid waste are intensified with the occurrence of natural disasters, compromising response and recovery actions, causing unplanned spending, environmental damage, and health impacts. The proper management of disaster waste requires knowledge of its characteristics such as quantity, composition, hazard, and management by the identified waste stream. This article aims at the characterization and quantification of disaster waste arisen from an event of intense rains, which occurred in 2013, in the municipalities of the State of Espírito Santo in Brazil. For characterization, an online survey instrument was developed and applied in institutions responsible for waste management. The survey was associated with a documentary analysis of photographic records and information obtained from the government database. Estimation of the amount of waste generated was carried out in a selected set using a method already applied in the south of the country. It was adapted to local characteristics and later compared with surveys carried out by the municipality. The characterization identified sediments, soil and mud, remains of vegetation, furniture, wood, and discarded scrap as the main generated waste. The estimated additional generation for durable consumer goods of around 1,700 tons of waste was lower than the municipal records (7,436.46 t) in the period. It was associated with the specific low weight of the considered affected goods and the inclusion of other residues in the data obtained in the city hall records. The methods used in the characterization and quantification presented application viability, through adjustments, and represented an important contribution to municipal disaster management to make cities able to face climate change, carrying out safe management of disaster waste.