Sustainability indicators for urban solid waste management in large and medium-sized worldwide cities

Abstract

Abstract This work aimed to select a relevant set of sustainability indicators to analyze municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in large and medium-sized worldwide cities and to apply these findings in three municipalities located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. For this purpose, surveys were carried out, and data collected from secondary sources. A set of 18 methodologies with different MSWM indicators was initially selected, totaling 396 indicators evaluated through selection criteria. The result was the selection of a set of 49 indicators for application in a case study. It was only possible to measure 11 indicators with the information publicly available for the three Brazilian cities studied, demonstrating the fragility of information regarding sustainability issues. Also, data related to social issues and natural and energy resources were insufficient for indicators to be measured. The analysis revealed difficulties regarding the availability of information in databases such as the National Sanitation Information System, and the lack of investments in infrastructure, technical and human resources, evidencing an opportunity gap to update and include new indicators in the Brazilian waste management system. Nevertheless, the set of 49 indicators proposed would be beneficial as a strategic support tool for management in any global city, as the indicators were selected to promote sustainability and to meet the global commitment of cities to implement policies related to MSWM, the Sustainable Development Goals, and sustainable governance.