Title: A contribution to the municipal solid waste management in Havana, Cuba

Authors: María del Carmen Espinosa-Lloréns; Matilde López-Torres; Susana Díaz-Aguirre; Cira Lidia Isaac-Godínez; Edward McBean; Natividad Ramírez-Ramírez

Addresses: Group for Scientific-Technical Services DECA, R+D+i Division, National Centre for Scientific Research, 25th Ave No. 15202, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana, Cuba ' Group for Scientific-Technical Services DECA, R+D+i Division, National Centre for Scientific Research, 25th Ave No. 15202, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana, Cuba ' University of Pinar del Rio, Martí Street, at the corner of 27 de noviembre Street, P. del Río, Cuba ' Economics and Enterprises Sciences Faculty, Agrarian University of Havana, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional Km. 23 1/2, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba ' School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph ON N1G 2W1 THRN, Canada ' Geomatics and Hydraulics Department, Engineering División, Campus Guanajuato, University of Guanajuato, Juárez 79, Guanajuato, Mexico

Abstract: Problems of municipal solid waste (MSW) are increasing with growing populations and urbanisation, resulting in the need for improved waste management strategies. The physical composition and generation rate of MSW from residential areas in five representative municipalities in Havana were classified into 11 categories according to ASTM standards. The study reveals that over 65% of the MSW was comprised of organic waste (food waste). The average generation rate of MSW in the city was 0.7 kg/person-d. Five components of MSW in Havana are indicating promising dimensions for recycling activities, with paper and cardboard being largest. The recycling rate is currently insufficient and there is potential for significant improvements.

Keywords: municipal solid waste management; physical composition; generation rate; recycling; Cuba.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2022.126574

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2022 Vol.25 No.6, pp.582 - 606

Received: 11 May 2021
Accepted: 30 Mar 2022
Published online: 28 Oct 2022 *

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