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Project Acronym and Group

Number

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management Group 4

Project title

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management in

Developing Countries

Name of Students

PRAMONO, Ario Panggi

RESTREPO, Juan Pablo
RODRIGUEZ, Jesus Daniel
URESTI, Luis Alfonso

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TABLE OF CONTENT

1.
2.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................... 2

CONTEXT, POSITION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT .................................. 2
2.1.
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.5

2.2.
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.2.4
2.2.5
2.2.6
2.2.7

Energy/Environment problem statement, Context, Scientific, social and economic

issues (developing Countries) .......................................................................3
Municipal Solid Waste
Economical Issues
Social and Public Health Issues
Regulatory Aspects
Environment and Energy

3
4
4
5
6

State of the art ........................................................................................7

Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
Composting And Anaerobic Digestion
Landfills
Incineration
Gasification & Pyrolysis

8
8
8
8
9
10
11

METHODOLOGY SOURCE OF DATA ....................................................12

3.1.
Scientific methodology ............................................................................. 12
3.2.
Project management and courses of pm3e Relationship ...................................... 12
4. EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS ..............................................................13
4.1.
Waste Generation .................................................................................. 13
4.2.
Solid Waste Collection & Transport ............................................................... 14
4.3.
Recycling ............................................................................................ 14
4.4.
Waste Disposal & Treatment Facilities ........................................................... 15
5. DISCUSSION ..............................................................................18
3.

6.
7.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................19

REFERENCES.............................................................................20

1.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Municipal Solid Waste Management is one of the biggest environmental issues that
governments, companies and communities have to face, due to the tread it represents for the
health and environment. This issue gains even more relevance due to the fact that this
resource it is expected to grow in proportion to the increment in world population, especially
in big cities. In developing countries is necessary to increase efforts for improving all the
stages involved in this process. The objectives of this bibliographic report were to presenting
an overview of MSW in developing countries, focusing the study case in Colombia, due to it
was the country with more available information; and propose a general recommendation for
improving MSW management. The methodology used was researching the information
related to MSW management in developing countries from recognized institutions and
consultancy companies and it was compared with the information available of Colombia. It
was determined that developing countries and Colombia have in common that both have
organic waste as their principal source of MSW; they also put bigger efforts and resources in
the collection and transport of MSW, while for its final disposal is very common the used of
not-appropriate managed landfills, producing pollution by untreated leachate leakages and
odors emissions; and that recyclers are located in the informal sector of the economy in
majority. It was calculated the potential for energetic valorization of MSW by using
incineration and biogas production, where the second one can produce a higher quantity of
energy, but there is required to conduct some feasibility studies. The recommendations for
improving MSW managements were made based on increasing recycling and reuse of this

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resource, improving the design, management and operation of sanitary landfills and
evaluating the feasibility of applying energetic valorization for MSW.
2.

CONTEXT, POSITION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT

World population in 2013 reached 7.2 billion and it is predicted it will increase to 11.1 billion
in 2050, with most of the world population living in the less developed regions (United
Nations, 2013). Furthermore, today more than 50% of the worlds population lives in cities
where the rate of urbanization is increasing quickly (Hoornweg & Bhada-Tata, 2012). As a
consequence of this increasing number, the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is also
increasing, especially in urban areas. Each year, world cities generate about 1.3 billion
tonnes of solid waste per year, and this volume is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tonnes
by 2025. This amount of waste would be a future problem that has to be faced by developing
countries.
In this report is going be discussed the issues related to municipal solid waste (MSW)
management in developing countries. As a case study, this report includes the description of
some aspects related with the solid waste management in Colombia and some
recommendations for improving this aspect.
Colombia was chosen for the case study because the information related to its MSW was
available and this country also is a good example for the purposes of the research. Some
conclusions can be presented from the comparison between the general overview in
developed Countries and developing Countries.
The objectives appointed for this report are:
1.
2.
3.

Presenting a general overview about MSW management in Developing Countries.

Presenting the general situation related to the MSW management in Colombia
Recommending a possible strategy for improving the MSW management in Developing
Countries based on the analysis of Colombia.

2.1. ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT PROBLEM STATEMENT, CONTEXT, S CIENTIFIC, SOCIAL AND

ECONOMIC ISSUES (DEVELOPING COUNTRIES)
2.1.1

M UNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is solid or semi-solid waste generated in population centers
including domestic and, commercial wastes, as well as those originated by the small-scale
industries and institutions (including hospital and clinics); market street sweeping, and from
public cleansing (Hoornweg & Bhada-Tata, 2012).
Types and sources of MSW can be classified as table below:
Table.1. Type of Waste and Their Sources (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012)
Type
Sources
Organic Food scraps, yards (leaves, grass, brush) waste, wood, process residues.
Paper scraps, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, bags, boxes, wrapping
Paper
paper, telephone books, shredded paper, paper beverage cups. Strictly
speaking paper is organic but unless it is contaminated by food residue,

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Plastic
Glass
Metal
Others

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paper is not classified as organic.

Bottles, packaging, containers, bags, lids, cups
Bottles, broken glassware, light bulbs, colored glass
Cans, foil, tins, non-hazardous aerosol cans, appliances (white goods),
railings, bicycles
Textiles, leather, rubber, multi-laminates, e-waste, appliances, ash, other
inert materials

MSW composition in advanced countries and developing countries are very different. In
advanced countries, MSW is usually dominated by plastics and papers, while in developing
countries is dominated by organic wastes. Composition of MSW is influenced by many
factors such as economic development level, culture, and climate among others. Generally,
when the population is becoming prosperous the urbanization rate will increase and therefore
arising the amount of inorganic waste in the cities.
2.1.2

ECONOMICAL ISSUES

The wealthiest Countries which have high incomes per capita tend to produce higher MSW.
According World Bank report in 2012, advanced countries with higher income such as
European countries produce MSW with average waste generation 1.1 kg/capita/day, while in
developing countries such as the ones located in south Asia region generate in average 0.45
kg/capita/day (Hoornweg & Bhada-Tata, 2012). Waste collection in advanced countries is
very effective, almost 98% of total MSW is well collected. In other hand, waste collection in
developing countries is inefficient with waste collection rate only 41%.
MSW management in city or urban is generally conducted by local government as a part of
municipal services. Cost being allocated for MSW management varies between cities and
countries. In developing countries 50% - 90% of MSW management budget is allocated in
waste collection processes. In the other hand, advanced countries allocate most of the
budget for waste treatment facilities and only spent for about 10% in waste collection
processes.
MSW management and waste sweeping is often the citys single largest sources of
employment, which consist of formal or informal workers (Hoornweg & Bhada-Tata, 2012). In
developing countries, managing formal and informal workers become very important since
the collection process is the biggest part in MSW management.
2.1.3 SOCIAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
MSW can contain hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Hazardous waste consists on
residuals or non-useful products from different source that could put potential threats to
public health.
When the waste is not well collected, it can generate proliferation of insects, rodents and
other animal in neighborhood that could carry and spread diseases, pests and etc. In
developing countries, dumping is the common method to dispose MSW, however
uncontrolled dumping and bad management could cause water and air pollution and health
problems.
Households in developing countries are not used to and seem reluctant to separate the
MSW. This condition causes that the organic and inorganic wastes are mixed and make the

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recycling process more difficult. The collection of inorganic waste for recycling process
almost relies entirely on informal waste pickers, where otherwise the increase of informal
waste pickers with below citys salary standard generates other social problems.
2.1.4 REGULATORY ASPECTS
Generally speaking, in development countries there are well defined criteria for the waste
disposal, which leads to different landfill types, according to the hazard level of the waste to
be disposed.
In the European Union, efforts are made to divert the biodegradable MSW from landfills. In
1999, it has been released the Landfill Directive, which success is based on two core factors.
First, the long and middle term targets are set to reduce biodegradable waste in landfills.
Second, the Directives flexibility allowed adapting itself to national and regional realities.
(European Environment Agency, 2009).
Following the Landfill Directive, European countries adopted several strategies to reduce the
quantity of waste to be land filled, such as composting organic material, recycling (which
includes separate collection), and incineration. For instance, by 2006 the Flemish Region
(Belgium) had reduced landfilling to around 1 % of total household waste generation. In
Germany, the amount of MSW landfilled has fallen to 1 %.(European Environment Agency,
2009). In the figure 1 it is possible to see the percentage of MSW that was land filled in the
European Union in the years 1995 and 2007 per Country.

Figure 1. Percentage of municipal waste that was land filled in the EU 27, 1995 and 2007
(European Environment Agency, 2009)

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ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

There are several cases around the world about how landfills are properly managed, and
which the strategy is for the coming years. For instance, in the US, there is a clear landfill
strategy and a very well organized landfill management system, mainly operated by 3
companies that collect half of the countrys waste. The EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) states that "the number of MSW landfills decreased substantially from nearly 8,000
in 1988 to 1,654 in 2005 -- while average landfill size increased.
Nowadays, the country has just a few non-controlled landfills and uses high capacity and well
controlled landfills. However, there are always tradeoffs: the number of landfills reduced and
their capacity increased, which has caused that waste must travel longer distances to reach
their final disposal place and generating more CO2 emissions. These patterns are generally
followed by developed countries, for example in the European Union.
In the other hand, in developing countries, the landfills are not always under control. The
main issues are illegal dumping sites, which do not have any protection for the environment
and human health (and of course are not complying with regulations), allowing the pollutants
going into the environment, and generating public health issues, such as the appearance of
leachate when rainwater filters through the landfill and mixes with waste. If it is not properly
controlled, it can spread to the ground water and contaminate it.
Another common issue is that methane gas and GHG is produced during the decomposition
of organic waste. Methane is around 20 times more potent as a GHG than CO2. If the
disposal of organic matter were reduced it would be possible to do it also in relationship with
the amount of methane emissions. However, landfill methane is also a source of energy, and
some landfills capture and use it for energy. In addition, many materials in landfills do not
decompose completely, and the carbon that remains is captured in the landfill and not
released into the atmosphere. (Vital Waste Graphics, 2004).
In the figure 2, we can see the correlation between the GHG gases produced by the different
types of waste management, their possible beneficial usage and the solutions offered for
their storage and treatment.

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Figure 2. Contribution from waste to climate change (Vital Waste Graphics, 2004)
2.2. STATE OF THE ART
MSW management is the collection, transport, processing and disposal of solid waste
material. Thus the process is undertaken to reduce the effects of waste on health and
environment. Waste management commonly follow a generally acceptance hierarchy known
as waste management hierarchy. This hierarchy responds to financial, social,
environmental and economic issues in waste management and it is presented in the figure 3.

Figure 3. Waste Management Hierarchy (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012)

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2.2.1 REDUCE
Waste reduction means to reduce the quantity of waste at generation point. This method can
be done by redesigning or changing patterns of production and consumption of product that
generate waste. This method has benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction.
2.2.2 REUSE
It is the one of primary reasons for waste management. Reuse of material for second time
help to save money, time, energy and resources. It offers quality products to people.
Financial aspects in developing countries can help reuse of the materials but in developed
countries it seems to be uneconomical due to consequent consumer demand and increasing
wages (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012).
2.2.3

RECYCLE

The benefit of recycling is reduced quantities of disposed waste and recover the value of
materials to the economy and prevent the useful material become waste. Moreover,
recycling means to reduce the consumption of fresh raw material, and reduce the energy
used in raw material processing. In term of energy conservation, recycling process recovered
more energy compared with incineration process.
In the next chapter, It is possible to see a definition for different processes for doing a
valorization of MSW.
2.2.4 COMPOSTING AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
Composting can be defined as the biological decomposition and stabilization of organic
waste in a controlled environment to produce a marketable or usable product (SWANA,
2011). Generally the term of composting refers only to aerobic process.
Compared to anaerobic decomposition, Composting is less complex. Composting can be
conducted whether in a vessel or in open air.
Anaerobic digestion or decomposition is the bacterial breakdown of biodegradable organic
material in the absence of oxygen. It can occur over a wide temperature range from 10C to
71C.
The temperature of the reaction has a strong influence on the anaerobic activity, but
mesophilic and thermophilic temperature ranges are two optimal temperature ranges in
which microbial activity and biogas production rates are highest. Mesophilic systems operate
at temperatures around 35C, and the thermophilic systems operate at a temperature around
54C.
Operation at thermophilic temperatures allows for shorter retention time and a higher biogas
production rate. However, maintaining the high temperature in a reactor vessel generally
requires an outside heat source because anaerobic digestion although exothermic does
not generate sufficient heat. Anaerobic digestion systems produce a gas composed primarily

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of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but also containing impurities such as
hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Typical feedstocks include sewage sludge, livestock manure, and
MSW. (SWANA, 2011).
2.2.5 LANDFILLS
A landfill is a large area of land or an excavated site that is specifically designed and built to
receive wastes. For example in United States, The EPA (Energy Protection Agency and the
Federal regulations define the next requirements for the landfills:

Location restrictions: ensure that landfills are built in suitable geological areas away
from faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas.
Composite liners requirements: include a flexible membrane (geomembrane)
overlaying two feet of compacted clay soil lining the bottom and sides of the landfill,
protect groundwater and the underlying soil from leachate releases.
Leachate collection and removal systems: Sit on top of the composite liner and
removes leachate from the landfill for treatment and disposal.
Operating practices: Include compacting and covering waste frequently with several
inches of soil help reduce odor; control litter, insects, and rodents; and protect public
health.
Groundwater monitoring requirements: Requires testing groundwater wells to
determine whether waste materials have escaped from the landfill.
Closure and postclosure care requirements: Include covering landfills and
providing long-term care of closed landfills.
Corrective action provisions: Control and clean up landfill releases and
achieves groundwater protection standards.
Financial assurance: Provides funding for environmental protection during and
after landfill closure (i.e., closure and postclosure care).

Some materials may be banned from disposal in MSW landfills including common household
items such as paints, cleaners/chemicals, motor oil, batteries, and pesticides. Leftover
portions of these products are called household hazardous waste. These products, if
mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment. Many MSW landfills have
a household hazardous waste drop-off station for these materials.
According to the Advanced Disposal website (Advanced Disposal), there are 3 main types of
landfills:
Municipal Solid Waste landfills: Permit the disposal of non-hazardous waste
generated from households, hotels, commercial and industrial waste
Construction & Demolition landfill: C&D debris are considered as non hazardous
material, however, they are regulated by states and local governments. It mainly
consists on materials produced in the process of construction, renovation and/or
demolition of structures, where structures include debris typically includes concrete,
asphalt, wood, gypsum wallboard, paper, glass, rubble, and roofing materials. Land
clearing debris, such as stumps, rocks, and dirt are also included in some state
definitions.

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Inert landfill: Inert material consists of earth and earth-like products, such as concrete,
cured asphalt, rock, bricks, yard trimmings, and land clearing debris such as stumps,
limbs and leaves. These materials are allowable by law to be disposed of in inert
landfills.

In some other sources, such as the environment agency of UK, we can find a different
classification of landfills, which is according to the type of waste: inert waste, non-hazardous
waste and hazardous waste.
2.2.6 INCINERATION
Incineration usually involves the combustion of unprepared (raw or residual) from MSW. To
allow the combustion to take place a sufficient quantity of oxygen is required to fully oxidise
the fuel (waste). Typically, incineration plant combustion temperatures are in excess of
850C and the waste is converted into carbon dioxide and water. Any non-combustible
materials (e.g. metals, glass) remain as a solid, known as Bottom Ash, which contains a
small amount of residual carbon.
The practice of MSW Incineration is a method of waste treatment is being considered by
various local governments and private companies. It provides a means to reduce the volume
of waste entering landfills, as well as a means to recover energy.
At present, MSW incineration has confirmed to be an environmentally friendly solution and a
common alternative to landfilling, while allowing recovery of a large part of the energy
contained in MSW. Nevertheless, the main problems associated to these processes are
probably the large volume of gaseous emissions which may pose environmental health risks
(Moy et al., 2008) and hazardous solid wastes that remain after incineration as fly ash or air
pollution control (APC) residues. MSW is generated by households and other similar wastes
in nature and composition, which in general is collected and managed by or on behalf of
municipal authorities, and includes materials such as paper, plastics, food, glass and
household appliances.
In the figure 4, we can see one schematic incineration process with the principal components
including energy recovering for electricity purpose.

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Figure 4. Incineration process with energy recovering (DEF&RA, 2013)

2.2.7 GASIFICATION & P YROLYSIS
MSW can be recovered in term of product and energy. Pyrolysis, gasification and
combustion. Combustion is also called incineration and was describe it in the chapter 2.2.6.
These processes are thermal conversion that can be implemented in energy and product
recoveries for MSW, as one can see in figure 5.

Figure 5. Thermal conversion process and products

(Belgiorno, Feo, Rocca, & Napoli, 2002)
Gasification can be broadly defined as the thermo-chemical conversion of a solid or liquid
carbon-based material (feedstock) into a combustible gaseous product (combustible gas) by
the supply of a gasification agent (another gaseous compound).The combustible gas
contains CO2, CO, H2, CH4, H2O, trace amounts of higher hydrocarbons, inert gases

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present in the gasification agent, various contaminants such as small char particles, ash and
tars. (Belgiorno, Feo, Rocca, & Napoli, 2002). The gasification product can be further
processed to produce chemical product and electricity.
Pyrolysis is a process that involves the thermal decomposition of feedstock at high
temperatures (400C to 815C) in the absence of oxygen. The resulting end product is a
mixture of solids (char), liquids (oxygenated oils), and gases (methane, carbon monoxide,
and carbon dioxide) with the proportions of each determined by operating temperature,
pressure, oxygen content, and other conditions. (SWANA, 2011).
Not all type MSW can be treated using gasification process, only MSW that contain high level
carbon can be used directly in this process such as paper mills waste, mixed plastic waste,
forest industry waste and agricultural residues. Other type MSW can be treated using
gasification after passing several pre-treatment processes.
Compared to incineration process in term of produce electricity from MSW, gasification and
pyrolisys also give 23% of net electrical efficiency.
3.

M ETHODOLOGY S OURCE OF DATA

3.1. SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY

For this report it has been conducted with the following steps:
It was researched the information related to the definition and classification of MSW.
It was researched the data related to the production of MSW in Developing Countries
and the technologies aspects related to its disposal.
It was researched the information of the current situation of MSW in Colombia (Study
Case).
It was presented the actual situation of Colombia related to solid domestic waste
management and compared with the actual situation of Developing Countries.
It was created a general recommendation for solid domestic waste management in
Colombia.
Before developing this report it was necessary to look for different information concerning
solid domestic waste management. The primary objective was to validate the data by using
information from recognized institutions such as World Bank, United Nations and United
States Environmental Protection Agency and Consultancy Companies, in order to guarantee
the reliability of it.
3.2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COURSES OF PM3 E R ELATIONSHIP
The relationship between the information presented in this report and the PM3E program is
very strong. It is possible for now to mention the modules that include some aspects related
with MSW management:
Semester 2: Environment and Process Engineering, Incineration and Waste
Minimization, Air and Soil Remediation Processes and Water Treatment Processes.
Semester 3: Thermodynamics for Energy Systems and Renewables

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EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS

For the purpose of this analysis, it was taken information of case study the MSW
management applied by Colombia.
Colombia is located in the northwestern South America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the
Pacific Ocean, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil with 1,1 million square
kilometers of area and a population around 46 million people (DANE, 2012). It is the fourth
largest economy in Latin America and makes part of the group called CIVETS1, with a
stable GDP growing rate around 4% (World Bank, 2012). It mainly produces coffee, flowers,
fruits, emeralds, coal, minerals and oil and main economic activities are oil production,
agriculture, industry and services. (D-Waste, 2012).
Since 1991, the organization of the State was modified to adopt a regulator role and allow
private participation in the utility sector, including solid domestic waste management utility
service. Nowadays, private companies provide the service for more than 60% of the
population (SSPD, 2008).
The regulations allow different schemes to provide the service, such as free competition,
contracts with municipalities with or without exclusivity. The service can also be provided
directly by each municipality or by public, private or mixed capital companies (Law 142,
1991).
Reward is collected directly by the supplier through tariffs charge in the bill of other utilities
(electricity, water supply or gas), which are calculated according to methodologies
established by the national government regulator (CRA).
Lately, the Supreme Court recognized the rights of informal recyclers in solid waste
management and their accomplished labor and ordered to implement actions for their
protection. Therefore government is studying the mechanisms to put the order into operation.
During the last 10 years, solid waste management policies have been focused on eliminating
illegal dumping sites, promoting the use of regional landfills and enforcing the formalization of
small suppliers. (D-Waste, 2012).
4.1. WASTE G ENERATION
Colombias 1,129 municipalities produce around 32,000 tons of solid domestic waste per
day, with a mean growing rate of 6% per year. Over 10,000 tons per day of this waste is
generated in the main cities Bogot, Cali, Medellin and Barranquilla. Over than 60% of this
quantity is organic waste.
In the figure 6, it is possible to see the composition in the year 2012.

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Figure 6.
4.2. SOLID WASTE COLLECTION & T RANSPORT
In the year 2010, there were identified 1,206 providers of solid waste management. It was
determined that more than 60% of the population employs private or mixed capital
companies. (SSPD, 2010). More than 900 suppliers provide collection and transportation
services, 576 companies supply final disposition service and 269 companies carry out some
recycling activity. In general terms, all the suppliers who provide the collection and
transportation activities also provide the sweeping service of public areas and roads.
The population who receives the solid waste collection service has increased during the last
20 years, from 87.2% in 1993 to 94.6% in 2005. The higher covering rates are found in larger
cities normally.
The collection frequency varies between 2 and 3 times a week and the more populated cities
have got higher frequencies.
Recently, two transfer stations started to work close to two of the main cities in Colombia,
Medellin and Cali, where sanitary landfills are located 41,5 km (Guacal) and 62,2 km
(Colomba-Guabal) away from the cities; both stations are operated by a private utility
company (INTERASEO SA ESP). (D-Waste, 2012)
4.3. RECYCLING
There are more than 100 associations, which are formed by around 5,000 recyclers (Aluna
Consultores, 2011). Nevertheless most of the recyclers do not belong to any association
(v.gr. informal recyclers). Between 40% and 60% of the recycled solid waste is collected by
recyclers who carry out this activity as a job, including formal and informal sector.
Solid waste management companies usually do not perform recycling activities and they
occasionally provide materials for recycling associations. Just in few cases they operate
recycling plants.

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The main recycled materials are metals (49.75%), paper and cardboard (35.01%), plastics
(11.15%) and glass (4.09%) (Aluna Consultores, 2011).
Some of the problems related to the supply chain of recyclers are:
Low revenues.
Involvement of children
Lack of social security.
High levels of intermediation
High prices variability.
Lack of incentives to use recycled material.
Last year, the Supreme Court recognized, in the Colombian Law Project 275, the informal
recyclers rights in the solid waste management and accomplished their labor, so it ordered
to implement actions for the recyclers protection. Currently, the national and Bogota
governments are studying the mechanisms to put into operation the order.
4.4.

WASTE DISPOSAL & T REATMENT F ACILITIES

In relation with the total amount of solid waste produced, it is known that about 76% of solid
waste is disposed in landfills, around 20% is recycled and the rest is disposed in illegal
dumping sites. (Aluna Consultores, 2011).
The landfills that actually are implemented and in operation in Colombia have diversity of
operational problems, those most frequently include an inadequate treatment of the
leachates, the emission of unpleasant odors and poor management of solid waste
coverages. It is also necessary to improve the operation and maintenance of landfills.
Over 10,000 tons/day of this waste is generated in the main cities Bogot, Cali, Medellin and
Barranquilla. This waste is disposal in the landfills Doa Juana, Yotoco, La Pradera and Los
Pocitos respectively. These landfills operate for the cities Bogota, Cali, Medellin and
Barranquilla respectively (The biggest cities in Colombia).

Doa Juana

The Sanitary Landfill of Doa Juana receives the solid waste of six municipal districts, where
the Capital District of Colombia is included. The amount of solid domestic waste collected by
this landfill has the average of 5,891.8 Tons per day, and the 99,8% of this amount is
produced by Bogota (2011). It is located on Usme road and it covers a total surface of 472
ha, but only 219 ha are use for disposing the solid waste. This landfill is still actually working
even with the inefficient management of the local government of Bogota and lack of
possibilities for finding available places closer to the city. The principal preoccupation right
now is that the useful life for this landfill is projected until 2014.

Yotoco

The Municipal District of Santiago de Cali uses the sanitary landfill of Yotoco since 2008,
when it replaced the dumpsite of Navarro (SSPD, 2009). This landfill has a surface of 363 ha
and it is located in the Municipal district of Yotoco, the useful life is about 27 years from
2008. The landfill receives around 1,800 Tons per day of solid domestic waste which arrives

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from the Municipal Districts of Candelaria, Jamundi, Caloto, Villarica, Yumbo and Cali. Since
2009, this landfill does not count with any process for the treatment of leachate and it also
produces disagreeable odors due to the inaccurate management of gases (SSPD, 2009).

Parque Ambiental La Pradera

The City of Medellin disposes its solid domestic waste in this landfill, alongside with other 22
municipal districts. It is located in the Municipal District of Don Matias and its surface has 354
ha (EEVVM, 2009). This landfill receives 2,787 Tons per day of solid domestic waste, and
the 64.41% is produced by Medellin (SSPD, 2008). The useful life of this landfill is about 27
years from 2008. (EEVVM, 2009).
This landfill has several environmental issues such as the lack of processes for leachate
treatment, with the exception of a stabilization lagoon for pre-treatment since 2003. The
outlets work with very high flowrates, causing the contamination of water sources close to the
place, such as The Porce river and its streams La Musica, La Jagua and La Piuela
(Corantioquia, 2006). The local authorities have also found some intervention on these
streams, affecting negatively its natural conditions (Contraloria de Antioquia, 2005).
This landfill also has problems related to the emission of disagreeable odors and it is very
common to find disease spreads due to the lack of covertures for the solid domestic waste
and natural barriers (Corantioquia, 2006).
In 2013, the company EPM (Empresas Pblicas de Medelln) absorbed EEVVM (Empresas
Varias de Medelln) and has been developing a research for improving the solid domestic
waste management in Medellin. Some of these activities are energetic valorization of Biogas,
development of a new treatment plant for the leachate and new technologies for using
directly the waste and skiping the usage of the sanitary landfill.

Los Pocitos

This landfill is located in the Municipal District of Galapa, and receives the solid domestic
waste from municipal districts of Barranquilla, Soledad, Galapa and Puerto Colombia. It has
a surface of 135 ha and it has a useful life of 32 years. It also receives an average of 1,600
Tons per day of solid domestic waste (Minambiente, 2009).
This landfill started to work in 2009, in order to replace the old landfill of Henequen
(Minambiente, 2009). Nevertheless, it has several operational problems such as lack of
processes for the leachate treatment, leakages of waste from the collection cars and the
deterioration of the roads closer to the place (Gobernacin del Atlantico, 2005).
In order to summarize, one can state that the sanitary landfills of Colombia has several
problems related to their bad management, causing disagreeable odors and in some cases
the production of toxic gases such as esters, hydrogen sulfide, organic-sulfured compounds,
alkylbenzenes, etc.; which can put a treat to human health (Mendez et al., 2006). The
presence of insects, rodents and other animals has been documented also as consequence
of the lack of an efficient solid domestic waste management.
In the figure 7 it is possible to see the information presented previously summarized:

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Figure 7. Characteristics of the most important landfills in Colombia.

4.5 POSSIBILITIES FOR ENERGETIC VALORIZATION
The potential for produce biogas from waste in landfills in Colombia also depends of these
factors:
The rates of waste disposal
The waste characterization (availability organic material for microorganisms compost
waste and produce CH4 and CO2)
Humidity (the precipitation rate is used to estimate the humidity)
Temperature and pH (secondary impacts)
Anaerobic conditions (limited by the depth of the landfill, compaction waste or topcoat
can promote toxic to bacteria aerobic conditions) (EPA, 2010).
Some models for predicting the production of biogas have been adapted from the American
Models. Colombia produces around 32,000 tons of solid domestic waste per day. The
potential of production of biogas, in general, can be between 90 to 200 cubic meters of
biogas per ton of MSW. In this case, Colombia can produce between 28.800.000 to
64.000.000 cubic meters of biogas per day. This biogas can be converted to electricity
(between 1500 MW to 3000 MW). Considering that Colombia has installed 13000 MW and its
peak consumption of energy is 9500 MW, these values represent between 11.54% and
23.08% of the total capacity installed (averaged of 17.32%) and between 15.8% and 31.6%
of the maximum consume (average of 23.7%). (Methane to Markets, 2012).

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In other references is possible to see that American Companies such as COVANTA had
concluded that the MSW produced in Colombia can be used for generating electricity by
incineration at a rate of 500 kWh per ton of MSW. In total, it can be produced around 667
MW. These value represent around 5.13% of the total capacity installed of Colombia and
7.02% of the maximum consume. (Energy from waste, 2009).
5.

DISCUSSION

5.1 SIMILARITIES BETW EEN COLOMBIA AND OTHER D EVELOPING COUNTRIES

Based on the information presented in the previous chapters, it is possible to find some
similarities between Colombia and the others developing countries in general.
The first similarity consists that Composition of the waste in Colombia follows a similar
pattern than in the rest of the developing countries, where the organic waste has the biggest
portion of the total amount. In advanced countries the situation is quite different, where
plastics and papers are the biggest sources of MSW. This contrast could be address to
several economical, social and regulatory components, such as the fact that advanced
countries tend to use plastics and paper for industrial packaging in higher amounts than
developing countries.
The second similarity is that, as other developing countries, Colombias local governments
put the biggest effort on the collection of MSW. In fact, this part of MSW management has
been improving through the last 20 years in the country, where the population that received
the service raised from 87.2% in 1993 to 94.6% in 2005. Colombia has showed itself as an
innovative country also due to the use of transfer stations for transporting more efficiently
MSW in the cities of Medellin and Cali.
The third similarity that can be found between Colombia and the rest of the developing
countries is that they both rely on the use of sanitary landfills for waste disposal. In both
cases, the management of landfills is very deficient, causing problems such the leakage of
untreated leachate and the emission of unpleasant odors due to the lack of covertures in
landfills. This situation is even more complicated in the landfill of Doa Juana due to the fact
that is the one that receives the greatest amount of MSW and its useful life remaining is of
one year, while in the rest there is time enough for improving them.
The fourth similarity is that there is not a well-developed structure, policies and management
of recycling of MSW. Eventhough Colombia has a lot of initiative from private recyclers; the
majority of them belong to the informal sector of the economy, which produces a situation
where the state is not receiving taxes for their economical activity, promoting a condition
where it is not possible to estimate fair salary conditions and social security for this type of
workers.
5.2 COMPARISON BETWEEN T ECHNOLOGIES FOR ENERGETIC VALORIZATION
A possible alternative solution for solving the issue with MSW disposal in Colombia can be
using it for producing energy. Based on the available information, some technologies that
might be used are producing biogas or incineration.
The amount of energy that can be produced by using biogas in average the 23.7% of the
maximum consume; while in the case of incineration, it could be produced around the 7.02%
of the same consume (9500 MW).

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Based on the possible energy production from waste, one can state that the production of
biogas seems to be a more efficient in the field of energy generation. This amount of energy
can be used to fulfill the energy demand of the landfills and the communities located close to
them. Nevertheless, it is recommended to conduct some feasibility studies in order to
estimate the budget, environmental impacts and fees related to this type of projects.
Nevertheless, developing countries such as Colombia tend to avoid the use of more
technological advanced technologies for MSW management due to the high economical cost
they carry out, related to investments and fees payment.
6.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

MSW has different components, where it should be considered in order to develop a good
strategy to implement and improve it. Colombia has a lot of similarities with the rest of
developing countries, which put bigger efforts in waste collection and transport. In this
component Colombia shows some improvement with the use of transfer stations for
transporting MSW. In relation with collection, Colombia has done some advance by
recognizing the participation of informal recyclers in MSW; nevertheless as most of them
belong to the informal sector, they are not involved in formal economical activity.
In term or regulatory aspects, Colombia has been doing some efforts for eliminating the use
of illegal dumping sites and promoting the use of regional landfills. However, the actual
landfills have problems with its management, creating problems related to untreated leachate
leakages and emissions of unpleasant odors.
Some technologies used in advanced countries for reducing the amount of MSW disposed in
landfills that can be considered are incineration and producing biogas. Biogas seems to be
more profitable in terms of energy production; still both technologies will require higher
economical efforts for its application, in term of budget and operational costs. For this
reasons, it is more recommended to focus in improving the management of MSW in sanitary
landfills.
Recycling and Reuse seem to be the best option for reducing the amount of MSW disposed
in sanitary landfills. Additionally, this option can be more attractive economically and
environmentally.
In addition, some recommendations for improving MSW management are:

To increase the amount of solid waste recycled.

To assign more responsibilities to sellers by demanding them a higher participation in
the processes of recycling and reuse.
To promote the recognition of informal recyclers by the waste management
organizations.
To improve the technical operation of the existing sanitary landfills, and to design new
landfills with better technical specifications. These new designs should include a good
system of collection and energetic valorization of methane and other gases, a system
for collecting and treating the leachate and a sustainable infrastructure; it should be
located in an advantageous place for waste transporters and the communities and it
should take into consideration the weather conditions typical of every season.

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To improve the quality of collection and transport of domestic solid waste, by using
more efficient methods such as transfer stations.
To consider the usage and implementation of energetic and composting valorizations
methods and technologies.

REFERENCES

Opportunities in waste management and biomass in Colombia. Metasus European

Sustainable Solutions for NL EVD International: The Netherlands. 2011.
Solid Waste Management in Colombia. D-Waste: Colombia. 2012.
Urban Water Management for the City of Cali, Diagnosis Report. Study Case: Cali,
Colombia. Chapter 7 Waste Management: Cali, Colombia. 2008.
Incineration of Municipal Solid Waste. Department for environmental food and Rural
Affairs: UK, 2013.
Estudio Nacional del Reciclaje y los recicladores. Aluna Consultores: Colombia,
2011. (Spanish Version)
Noguera, Katia M.; Olivero,Jess T. Los rellenos sanitarios: Caso Colombiano.
Revista Acadmica Colombiana de Ciencias. 2010, Vol. XXXIV, Nm. 132. (Spines
Versin)
http://www.cra.org.co
http://ww.eevvm.com.co
http://www.cga.gov.co
http://www.corantioqua.gov.co
http://www.epm.com.co
http://www.atlantico.gov.co
http://www.epa.gov/globalmethane
http://www.intechopen.com
http://www.dane.gov.co
http:// www.superservicios.gov.co
http://data.worldbank.org
http://www.defra.gov.uk
http://www.minambiente.gov.co

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