Manejo de resíduos urbanos: análise comparativa entre as cidades de Boa Vista, Roraima e Fortaleza, Ceará

Abstract

Urban solid waste (MSW) management faces significant challenges globally due to the volume, continuous growth and diversity of waste, with social, economic and environmental impacts. In Brazil, the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) and the National Basic Sanitation Policy (PNSB) establish guidelines for waste management, but the situation is especially critical in the North and Northeast regions, where there are historical difficulties and infrastructure limitations. This thesis comparatively analyzed the management of urban solid waste (MSW) in two Brazilian capitals: Boa Vista, in Roraima and Fortaleza, in Ceará, highlighting everything from planning to the implementation of socio-environmental measures in the last 15 years, aiming at improving MSW practices, sustainability and environmental preservation. The methodology combines elements of documentary analysis, field research and indicator analysis to perform a comparative analysis. As a result, Chapter 2 shows that, in Fortaleza, the implementation of policies and programs aimed at common collection, selective collection, transportation, treatment of recyclables and environmentally appropriate final disposal in a sanitary landfill was observed, factors that meet the National Solid Waste Policy. In Boa Vista, good coverage of common collection services was observed, but difficulties in implementing selective collection and recycling services and in legal adjustments of its controlled landfill, which makes management still deficient in terms of legal recommendations. Regarding the MSW management practices at the Aterro Sanitário Metropolitano Oeste de Caucaia (ASMOC) and Aterro de Boa Vista, as shown in Chapter 3, the differences in sustainability, management and technologies employed were highlighted. ASMOC is an advanced example of waste management, with modern technologies that optimize the treatment and reuse of waste. The facility is notable for its rigorous environmental monitoring, efficient composting, and gas recovery, converting them into renewable energy, and aligning with the goals of the National Solid Waste Policy. In contrast, the Boa Vista Landfill faces significant challenges, such as the lack of gas recovery and limitations in leachate treatment. These practices reveal the urgent need for technological upgrades and infrastructure investments, in addition to structured reuse and recycling initiatives. Chapter 4 presents environmental indicators by theme, based on data from the National Sanitation Information System (SNIS). Boa Vista, with a high rate of financial self-sufficiency and growth in per capita revenue, stands out in terms of MRSU financial management, while Fortaleza only began charging fees in 2023. Efficiency in waste management is impacted by the lack of uniformity in the application of fees and the need for greater transparency and legislation. In terms of formal employment, Boa Vista has a higher rate of employees per thousand inhabitants, but both municipalities rely heavily on outsourcing of MRSU services, which can lead to problems such as precarious working conditions. Boa Vista has a household collection rate of 100%, higher than the average for Fortaleza (97.9%), but Fortaleza collects a higher amount of waste per capita, possibly due to urbanization and tourism. Selective collection in Boa Vista is still limited and Fortaleza faces similar challenges, with low rates of recyclable material collected. Recycling is insufficient in both municipalities, with rates well below the national average of 7.72%. The study concludes that, despite advances in some areas, there is an urgent need for improvements in selective collection and recycling policies, with robust planning, adequate infrastructure and community participation to address the challenges of urban growth and sustainable waste management in the two capitals analyzed.