A look at the management of municipal solid waste in Latin America. A systematic review

Abstract

In Latin America we still have deficiencies in terms of the integral management of urban solid waste in each of its stages, such as generation, street sweeping, collection, segregation, reuse and final disposal. This is a function of competence of the municipal governments of each country, therefore, if we want to contribute from this region to sustainable development, as well as to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number 11, the same one that seeks to achieve sustainable cities and communities. We can affirm that there is still pending work to be carried out in Latin America, but we cannot fail to mention that some progress has been made from the point of view of having promulgated interesting regulations and especially environmental policies that have begun to bear fruit. There are great advances in the formulation of projects in different cities of Latin America on the issue of the implementation of sanitary landfills. There are countries where laws have been implemented regarding the reincorporation of recyclers into the business chain, countries such as Perú that has enacted the Recycler Law, which is associating these so-called street and landfill recyclers. We also have great advances in the issue of segregation at the source, that is, promoting the culture of recycling from the same source of generation of the waste and thus extending the useful life of either landfills or landfills. The issue of reuse of both organic and inorganic matter that is a component of solid waste to generate energy, biogas and compost is another of the great advances in recent years in some Latin American countries.
This article analyzes the relationship and correlations that exist between the different variables that are associated with the management of urban solid waste in Latin America, see the advances in the search to achieve sustainable development, the circular economy, environmental quality, but above all the conservation of the planet for future generations. We will also analyze some referential pictures of these advances and how they are having a positive or negative impact on the environment of the region and the planet. Some approaches to successful experiences will be proposed to raise awareness of the importance of the three factors, such as the efficient management of urban solid waste, the reuse of organic and inorganic matter and recycling, in addition to promoting environmental education, environmental governance and tax awareness of environmental citizens to ensure environmental sustainability.