Evaluation of solid waste management sustainability of a coastal municipality from northeastern Brazil

Municipal solid waste has increased in volume all over the world. In developing countries in particular this may cause severe impacts to the environment and public health. In Brazil, many municipalities present difficulties to sustainably manage their solid waste. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate waste management quality in a coastal municipality in Brazil, Mata de Sao Joao, and test the applicability of a system of indicators to reach this goal. A sustainability indicator matrix for municipal solid waste management was used, which was based on the five sustainability dimensions defined by the Brazilian National Policy on Solid Waste (NPSW) (political, economic, environmental, cultural, and social). Results indicated that Mata de Sao Joao presents low municipal solid waste management sustainability due to: (i) lack of an Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Plan; (ii) absence of selective waste collection; (iii) economic insufficiency of public cleaning service; (iv) environmental education restricted to tourist areas; (v) absence of means for social control over public policies related to solid waste; and (vi) lack of a social inclusion program for the municipality's recyclable material collectors. Comparisons with reports of Brazilian federal agencies and research Institutes indicated that the problems faced by Mata de Sao Joao regarding its adequacy to the NPSW are similar to those of other small municipalities in Brazil. The methodology used in the present study can be easily conducted by municipal technicians and managers who have access to information concerning this issue and can also be used in other Brazilian municipalities.