Aplicação de sistema de informação geográfica para a coleta por pontos de entrega voluntária de resíduos recicláveis em municípios de pequeno porte

Abstract

This research aims to propose the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to assist in the determination of areas with potential for the installation of Voluntary Delivery Points (PEVs) and for the establishment of collection routes in small municipalities. To this end, a case study was conducted in the city of São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo – MG, and thematic maps were prepared from five variables related to the traffic conditions of the collection truck and waste generation, namely, topography, slope, demographic density, income and rural and urban situation in the municipality. Criteria and weighting were established for each variable. Such information served as the basis for the application of map algebra, resulting in the determination of the potential areas for installation of PEVs. This research is justified by the fact that there is no easily available methodology to guide the elaboration of PEVs implantation projects, despite being one of the selective collection modalities frequently adopted in Brazil. Overall, the hypothesis that there is a high potential for the installation of PEVs in the urban area is confirmed for the municipality under study, according to the proposed methodology. Thus, it is worth noting that this method proved to be adequate in identifying places that are more conducive to the installation of the PEVs. In addition, it should be emphasized that the areas determined as “low potential”, may have their status changed, with the adoption of appropriate solutions to the local reality, including with regard to the optimization of the collection frequency, which may result in a reduction of and contributing to the sustainability of the selective collection program. Although the costs of selective collection generally represent higher costs than conventional collection, it is evident the potential for revenues from the sale of recyclable materials, estimated in R$ 500,346.30 ± R$ 105,934.20, as well as the environmental gain, avoiding the disposal of 524.91t ± 132.21t of waste per year in the landfill. As it is the selective collection through the PEVs, where there is the possibility of reducing costs by optimizing routes, the importance of the planning stage is emphasized.