Cartography of solid waste management in Southern Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Although the Brazilian Solid Waste Policy is in force, cities continue to face difficulties in complying with it, thus perpetuating negative environmental impacts caused by solid waste. This study analyzed, from a cartographic perspective, the deficits and the implications of inadequate urban solid waste management in an area of the Brazilian northeast. A questionnaire structured in 3 sections and 26 questions (management of public cleaning services, waste collection, and solid waste disposal) was applied to eight managers of the municipal agencies responsible for solid waste areas. The quality index of landfills was applied, and the gravimetric characterization of solid waste was performed by the technique of quartering and segregation of waste in visits to the disposal sites of each city. It was identified that 75% of the cities do not have hierarchical strategies for prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, and adequate treatment of urban solid waste, with insufficient budget. Only one city collects throughout its perimeter, and the waste collected is destined to open dumps considered inadequate or of low quality. The waste mass is composed, on average, of 50% organics, 20% rejects, 15% plastics, and 9% paper and cardboard. The recent Brazil sanitation regulation can be a way to reduce the aggravation and regularize the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.