Abstract

A six-month research was to conducted in urban area of Turrialba cantón, located in the province of Cartago, aims at identifying waste identifying waste composition and generation per capita. The investigation was carried out in 174 houses and using the national measure composition studies method.

Hand sorting was used, for classifying the waste into the next categories: organic wastes, paper, plastic, cardboard, polylaminates, metals, hazardous waste, glass and miscellaneous. The results for residential waste shows a solid waste generation of (0,58 ± 0,04) kg/person/day. There were found a 22 % recoverable materials, 37 % biodegradable materials and material for landfill disposition of 41%. The results of this survey could be utilized for the municipality to promote the reduction of non-recoverable materials and design an integrated waste treatment, because the actual site for the disposition is a huge dumping.

Keywords Municipal solid waste; commerce solid waste; solid waste characterization; generation rate