Compostagem como solução para resíduos orgânicos : uma alternativa estratégica para os resíduos do aterro sanitário em Teresina-PI

Abstract

Research concerning the production of Urban Solid Waste (USW) is largely directed towards the negative impacts arising from the waste’s exacerbated production or its interference. With a view to investigating solutions, this research aims to evaluate composting as a socially and environmentally viable solution proposal for the sanitary landfill in Teresina-PI. Thus considering, this investigation brings a discussion on the waste’s ecological problem, especially organic waste, based on the following question: Is composting effective in the process of reducing the impacts of organic waste in urban centers? Two hypotheses were built on the researched theme: hypothesis 1: The organic compost extends the time of use of the sanitary landfill and optimizes its space; and hypothesis 2: Teresina’s composting plant enables the support and implementation of urban agriculture. As specific objectives, this study sought to: Know the dynamics performed in the management of organic material from Teresina’s Municipal Sanitary Landfill and its potential for using bioenergy as a compost; Characterize Teresina’s Composting Plant and its operation, verifying its potential as a management of organic waste in the city; Evaluate the viability of the composting process in the geospatial conditions of Teresina’s landfill; Produce a management solution, accessible and technological (application), which will connect those who produce compost with those who do not reuse organic waste and want to donate. The methodology of this work was built through readings, studies and field visits, presenting a product that can be used as a management tool to minimize the problem of discarding organic waste. The field visit was carried out in two locations, the Municipal Composting Unit (UNCOM) and Teresina’s Municipal Sanitary Landfill (ASMT). At UNCOM, it was possible to observe the type of waste that workers produce in composting, which are the shell of the green coconut and the pruning carried out by an energy concessionaire in the city. The green coconut shells are delivered by two companies that sell coconut water in the capital. Therefore, it was observed that not all pruning and green coconut husks produced in Teresina are processed at UNCOM. The compost production scale is small, with few workers and few machines. A collection of samples of the UNCOM compost was carried out and sent to the Cearense Foundation of Meteorology and Water Resources (FUNCEME) in the state of Ceará. The result showed that the samples are significant for agriculture and for use in degraded soils. At ASMT it was possible to observe its operation, the presence of organic waste, and the feasibility of building a composting unit. Until the moment of this investigation, no activity of reuse/recycling of organic residues was carried out in ASMT. It is concluded that currently there is an inefficient use of organic waste in Teresina, the city has invested little in composting, however, the tool developed here becomes important to reduce waste disposal and to promote environmental education in the city. Keywords: application; organic compost; urban solid waste; environmental solutions.