Analysis of Solid Waste Management and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in México: A Study Case in the Central Region

Abstract

In this work, an analysis of the generation, composition and management of the urban solid waste in Mexico and its relation to greenhouse gas emissions is described; as well a case study in Morelos, a state in the central region of the country. Data were collected from the scientific literature and existing data bases at state and national levels. In addition, the emissions of greenhouse gas were calculated for a period of 14 years, using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology. The municipal solid waste data collected from 1998 to 2012 reveal an increase in the amount of waste generated in Mexico and in Morelos (38% and 43%, respectively), which have been influenced by the urbanization process and the population increase. According to the official data, the composition of the urban solid waste in Mexico, is mostly organic matter (50%), represented by food and garden residues, as well as paper and cardboard (near to 14%). While in Morelos, the percentages of generation for these materials are 44% and 9%, respectively. The management of the urban waste mainly consists of house collection, principally in metropolitan zones and medium and small cities, representing 78.7% in Mexico and 89.2% in Morelos. The second way to eliminate the solid wastes is open burning (mostly in semi-urban and rural areas), representing 14.5% and 6.7% for Mexico and Morelos, respectively. During this period, the nationwide greenhouse gas emissions derived from solid waste management (SWM) increased by 180%, while in Morelos, an increase of 42.5% was calculated. Thus, the population increment and urbanization process were correlated with the rise in the amount of residues generated in Mexico and Morelos.