Characterization of Urban Waste Management Practices in Brazil: A Generic Sustainable Framework Based on Waste Characteristics and Urban Dimension in the Country

Abstract

For a city to be sustainable, the waste management system must have as one of its goals to reduce the generation as well as the amount of materials to be destined for final disposal. To reduce the volume of solid waste is necessary to promote the reuse of materials through reuse and recycling. The benefits of reduction and reuse of solid waste are reflected in environmental protection, less exploitation of natural resources, and economy on the import of raw materials; recycling that contributes to the generation of employment and income; lower consumption of energy and water in manufacturing processes; lower occurrence of environmental problems arising from the disposal of solid waste. The city of Curitiba was one of the pioneers in Brazil and the world in ecological and human urbanism. To have a continuous improvement in all aspects of the city, the process involves education, awareness, and participation of all in society. The objective of this study is to assess the characterization of urban waste management practices in Brazil: A generic sustainable framework based on waste characteristics and urban dimension in the country and shows the city of Curitiba: a successful case in Brazil.