Title: Proposal for an operational performance indicator to evaluate sorting and composting plants for municipal solid waste

Authors: G.V. Vimieiro; L.C. Lange

Addresses: Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, Av. Amazonas, 5253, sala 201, Nova Suíça, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627 – bloco 1 – sala 4527, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

Abstract: Sorting and composting plants (SCPs) are considered an option for the adequate destination of municipal solid waste, especially in small municipalities. However, SCPs have not reached the expected operational efficiency. In Minas Gerais, Brazil, a specific tool is needed to systematically evaluate these plants. The aim of this study, therefore, is to propose and apply a performance indicator for SCPs using the intervening factors defined by the Delphi method, based on the parameters of the quality index for composting plants and the practical experience gained resulting from monitoring these plants. A first version of the indicator was applied to 22 units in Minas Gerais and, following adaptations, the SCPs operational performance indicator was created, which met the expectations of this research in terms of SCPs representativeness.

Keywords: operational performance indicators; evaluation; sorting and composting plants; SCPs; municipal solid waste; MSW; Delphi method; waste management; small municipalities; Brazil; operational efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2015.068933

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2015 Vol.15 No.2, pp.114 - 129

Accepted: 29 Jul 2014
Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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