Physical characterization of the household solid residues in Fortaleza county: insight into the determination of their recyclable/polluting potential

Abstract

This research work was designed to characterize home-produced solid residues (garbage) in Fortaleza county. The data  gathering was made through visits to the following sites: twenty-five Garbage-Generating Zones (GGZ) within the six Regional  Executive Offices (REO) responsible for the management of the town’s neighborhoods; the Jangurussu complex where selection and  deployment of the garbage are made; sanitary earthworks; and estuaries of the Cocó and Ceará rivers. The whole working layout  of garbage disposal, namely generation, collection, transport and final destination, was dealt with by means of the analysis of 792  samples of garbage produced in one-family, permanent households. As a result of the garbage discrimination all of its components  were identified and their respective proportions in the twenty-five GGZs calculated. From data analysis it was possible to determine  the average garbage distribution over the six REOs, and to point out the areas with greater production of recyclable materials, garbage  yield per person and the projection of garbage production per person and household. The proportion of recyclable materials is very  significant and they should be selectively collected so as to preserve their characteristics aiming at recycling. The index of per-person  garbage production may also be used as a yardstick of household-produced residues to be eventually paid for by the municipality.