BARRIERS TO THE REGIONALIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE RECIFE METROPOLITAN REGION, BRAZIL

摘要

The difficulties associated with municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in a metropolitan region (MR) have been attributed to geographical, social, economic and political issues. When an MR is located in a developing country, the problem may be intensified by high population and urbanization growth rates, as well as a lack of infrastructure. The regionalization of MSWM means sharing solid waste treatment plants among the involved municipalities, which can bring economic and environmental benefits to each area. However, it is not an easy task to conciliate all of the economic, political and social interests involved in MSWM. A number of regionalization problems, or barriers, can be regarded as common to most developing countries. Based on the current situation and planning developed over 30 years, this study presents a number of barriers to the implementation of a regionalized policy for MSWM in the Recife Metropolitan Region (Northeast Brazil). The main problems reported involve the financial sustainability of projects, short-term planning and a lack of involvement by important societal entities. A number of guidelines for future MSWM planning are also suggested in order to avoid the same mistakes being repeated over time.