Author(s)

FERNANDO MORANTE-CARBALLO, MARIBEL AGUILAR-AGUILAR, LAUREN MARTÍNEZ-ANGULO, PAÚL CARRIÓN-MERO

Abstract

Unmanaged or inadequately managed municipal solid waste (MSW) is a source of anthropogenic pollution that compromises human health and ecosystem balance. The canton of El Triunfo, in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, produces approximately 604 tons of waste per month and its only recycling is informal. The final disposal site (FDS) is an open-air landfill located on groundwater that can be contaminated by leachate. This study seeks to design MSW management strategies through a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, based on a diagnosis of the current management and characterisation of MSW, to mitigate environmental impacts. The methodology includes three phases: (i) waste management analysis, (ii) MSW characterisation, and (iii) development of a waste management strategy through SWOT analysis. The lack of a leachate and biogas treatment system, in addition to the current critical state of the FDS, represents the main contamination factors in the studied area. According to the characterisation of MSW, 57.3% corresponded to organic waste with reuse potential. To prevent and mitigate environmental impacts on the FDS, this study addresses three main aspects: (i) impact mitigation and waste reuse, (ii) operational efficiency, and (iii) community awareness. The proposed methodological approach contributes to municipal environmental plans for MSW management, highlighting the participation of experts in developing waste management and reuse alternatives. This study contributes to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, 12, 13 and 15 in municipal environmental management.

Keywords

environmental sustainability, landfill, municipal management, environmental strategies, urban sustainability