Pilot scale organic solid waste composting yard: A technical and economic feasibility study

Waste management in Brazil is guided by the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) (IBAMA, 2022). The PNRS foresees the elimination of landfills and the disposal of urban solid waste (MSW) in landfills only when there is no potential for reuse, including recycling and reverse logistics (BONJARDIM; PEREIRA; GUARDABASSIO, 2018, p. 315). Organic solid waste (RS) can be transformed into fertilizers (ARAÚJO; CERQUEIRA; CARNEIRO, 2020), and inadequate disposal can cause sanitary and environmental problems (HECK et al., 2013). MSW is classified by Law No. 12,305/2010 (BRASIL, 2010) into household waste (RDO) and public waste (RPU). In this study, RS was classified as wet solid household waste (RSDU) and UPR, according to SNIS (2022). Composting, a natural process of degradation of organic matter, is currently used to manage organic RS, using techniques to accelerate decomposition and produce organic compounds of social interest (CRIVELARO; MOREIRA; DA SILVA, 2018, p. 91). This study hypothesized that the implementation of a composting yard at the University of Sorocaba is viable, both technically and economically, to manage part of the RS generated at the Campus Cidade Universitária Prof. Aldo Vannucchi. The objective was to develop an operational pilot project for an organic RS composting yard for the university, identifying sources of organic RS (RSDU and RPU), adapting a methodology for composting, determining performance indicators and carrying out a cost analysis of the project.