Considerations in the methodology for the technical-environmental viability of sanitary landfills in rural communities. Northern case of the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador

Abstract

This research focuses on providing a solution to rural sectors' problems regarding solid waste management and final disposal. It considered the Sanitary Landfill (SL) technical-environmental viability for rural communities in the north of Santa Elena-Ecuador. The objective is to propose a methodology for evaluating a sanitary landfill's technical-environmental viability, considering a Key Factors Matrix (KFM) for the possibility of its application in rural communities. The proposed methodology is based on: i) identification of preliminary and field data for assessment of the sector through the KFM, and ii) determination of the technical-environmental viability of an SL according to the aspects considered. The KFM allowed the Ayangue commune to be chosen for the location of the SL under certain precautions. Given this sector's tourist influence, solid waste accumulates 40 tons per day from the ninth year on. Therefore, it is recommended to bear in mind a possible restructuring of the SL, from a semi-mechanized system to a fully mechanized one.