Determinación de la Producción de Residuos Sólidos Domésticos y sus Principales Componentes en Riobamba

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate the quantity and quality of waste generated in the residential sector of the city of Riobamba, verifying the direct relationship of per capita production (PPC) with the socioeconomic capacity of the generating source. The methodology used is a Stratified Random Sampling, within which we have the application of technical standards for solid waste. The research was carried out through a previous socioeconomic characterization of the sectors of the city. The sampling was applied during seven days in the 30 houses, collecting each of the samples belonging to the families, which are distributed in the four socioeconomic strata A, B, C and D. Numerical qualitative and quantitative results of CPP were estimated for each of the socioeconomic strata: 0.94 kg/inhab/day in the medium-high, 0.80 kg/inhab/day in the medium-high, 0.72 kg/inhab/day in the medium-low, and 0.52 kg/inhab/day in the low. A weighted CPP for the residential sector of 0.73 kg/inhab/day was established. This was used to calculate that 97,515 kg/inhab/day are dumped daily in the municipal dump, of which a minority are recovered by informal miners to be sold to recycling companies. The costs of recyclable components were investigated and it was found that sorted waste is well received in the market. The study concluded that 82% are potentially recyclable, of which 67% are organic, 7.5% plastics, 5.7% paper, cardboard, and 1.8% glass. Such organic wastes can be used in composting. In addition, potentially recyclable waste can be recycled in such a way as to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment. It is recommended that the handling of this information is useful to the authorities.