Análisis de estrategias para el aprovechamiento de residuos sólidos orgánicos en el cantón Cuenca

Abstract

The growing generation of Organic Solid Waste (OSW) has caused global, regional and local governments to adopt mitigation measures that promote the reduction of the impacts associated with inadequate management. The canton of Cuenca, through Municipal Sanitation Company of Cuenca (EMAC EP), has implemented composting and vermicomposting as measures for waste valorization; and the use of biogas produced in the Pichacay landfill as an energy recovery. However, the management continues to be a challenge due to the lack of data and baseline studies. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze OSW treatment strategies through an inventory and Material Flow Analyze of the management system for 2019, which includes all the flow identified in the composting Plant and Pichacay landfill. In addition, a literature review of processing technologies on management systems was carried out. The results showed that during 2019, 115 467,76 tons of OSW was generated from seven generators, being households the highest generation with 68%. In addition, it was identified that initial decomposition is the process that requires priority attention in the current management system because it loses about 50% of the organic material in the form of energy and mass. Finally, the analysis of strategies identified that the use of biodigesters favors the energy recovery of the composting Plant.