The importance of characterizing domestic waste from the source: the case of a community in el Consejo, Venezuela

Abstract

The production and composition of solid waste in residential areas of the town of El Consejo were evaluated by using the source sampling methodology recommended by the Pan American Health Organization. Two types of contrasting dwellings were considered and which reflected different socioeconomic conditions of their inhabitants: houses and shacks. The production rate of waste per capita in houses (110.4 g/person/day) was double than that of shacks (53.2 g/person/day). Both rates are drastically lower than what was registered in the municipality in 2007 (800 g/person/day) and in other studies of this nature (300-650 g/person/day), possibly due to the lower purchasing power of families as a result of the hyperinflation experienced in the country. Waste production during the non-working days of the weekend for houses was of 144.6 g/person/day and this figure drops to 89.9 g / person / day on weekdays. This result confirms the requirements for undertaking at least a complete week of continuous daily sampling because a significant variation in the rate of waste production in this period was corroborated. Houses generate a greater range of components (15 categories) than shacks (6 categories). Food leftovers represent more than 60% of the total of components generated in both types of housing and are materials that may be used for composting. The benefits of sampling at the source are highlighted since they allow researchers to obtain patterns that are difficult to detect through other types of sampling. In addition, they are a useful means of knowledge for the elaboration of educational campaigns for the treatment of waste at the family level.   Keywords: Domestic waste; garbage; generation rate; characterization; composting.