Assessing the recovery potential of solid waste in Mauritius

摘要

A study was initiated to assess the recovery potential of solid waste in Mauritius. The solid waste generated in a residential area has been quantified and characterized using direct weighing, physical testing and truckload sampling methods. Data on quantities of solid waste and waste composition has been collected for six months to assess for seasonal variation in solid waste generation rates. The current situation concerning resource recovery and disposal of solid waste in Mauritius is also described. Alternative decisions of solid waste appropriate with local conditions are discussed. It has been seen that the average solid waste generation rate is around 1.3 kg/capita per day and that wastes generated in winter were significantly different from wastes generated in the summer seasons. The composition (on a weight basis) of the solid wastes sampled was as follows: food wastes 25%, yard waste 43%, plastics 13%, paper 12%, textiles 3%, metals 1% indicating a high amount of organic matter. Vegetable and food wastes from the kitchen and yard wastes accounted for more than 60% of the waste stream. The moisture content was around 48% and the calorific value of the mixed wastes around 18 800 kJ/kg on a dry weight basis. The nature of the wastes indicate that amongst the recovery options, composting at household level would be most appropriate as it would divert more than 60% of the wastes from the traditional waste stream and provide households with compost which could be used to enrich soils in the kitchen gardens.