Estudo dos impactos energéticos e da vida útil do aterro sanitário com a valorização dos resíduos sólidos urbanos : o caso de Feira de Santana - BA

Abstract

The increase in the world’s population, the current rate of consumption and, consequently, generation of waste, implies an unsustainable use of the planet's resources for the production of goods. Solid waste is continuously generated in all steps of the production chain, and even after consumption, since their disposal requires the use of large areas, causing a double impact on the environment. Aiming to contribute for the quality of municipal solid waste management, the present study proposed the following scenarios to simulate waste generation: i) Scenario 1, which considers the current situation of Feira de Santana, without the use of recycling rates for dry and moist waste; ii) Scenario 2, where the recycling of materials based on PLANARES is applied; iii) Scenario 3, which adopts the recycling targets set forth in the PMGIRS; iv) Scenario 4A, with recycling targets proposed by PLANARES, together with the reduction of generation per capita and increase of the collection rate; v) Scenario 4B, with recycling targets proposed by the PMGIRS, combined with the reduction of generation per capita and increase of the collection rate; and, vi) Scenario 5, which allows for bold recycling targets, combined with the decrease in per capita production and growth of the collection rate. Based on these simulations, the impacts of each scenario were evaluated on increasing the life expectancy of the municipal landfill, and saving energy by recycling materials that are no longer being sent to the landfill. The results showed that: i) Increase in the useful life of the Feira de Santana landfill by 11, 17, 18 and 26 years, according to scenarios 2, 3, 4A and 4B, respectively. For scenario 5, the useful life of the municipal landfill does not end until the final analysis year (2075); (ii) The results obtained may also specify the mass quantity of waste that will no longer be sent to the landfill over the simulated years, namely: 77,000 t, 119,000 t, 92,000 t, 136,000 t, 212,000 t according to scenarios 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 5, respectively; iii) Can be saved in Feira de Santana in 2050 for scenario 5, the most expressive, approximately 1027 GWh, enough to supply close to 2.1 million households, considering the monthly consumption of 163 KWh and a average of 3 people per residence; (iv) Dry waste is 98% more economical than wet waste, since the potential of both was 202 GWh and 10 GWh respectively in 2050; v) Plastic stands out as the dry material with the greatest potential for energy savings. According to scenario 5, this material could save about 749 GWh, enough to supply approximately 1.5 million households; vi) The simulations presented in this paper, related to the use of material recycling rates and other management options, have proved to be more efficient in relation to the goals established by scenario 5 for all analysis parameters.Taking into account that the assessment and simulation were limited to secondary data due to the lack of consistent local information, it can be inferred that there was a reduction of environmental impacts for Feira de Santana with the adoption of municipal recycling goals. Through their implementation, it will be possible to extend the life expectancy of the municipal landfill, as well as provide energy savings and gains for the municipality.