Análise e Comparação dos Impactos Ambientais, Econômicos e Energéticos entre Incineração e Co-incineração na Gestão de Resíduos Sólidos

Abstract

Solid waste management represents a growing challenge in the midst of rapid urbanization. The exponential increase in waste generation makes the search for effective and environmentally sustainable strategies essential. This study addresses the problem of MSW management, with an emphasis on incineration and co-incineration practices. The methodological approach employed consists of a literature review of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies for a comparative analysis, exploring the environmental, energy and economic impacts associated with these practices. The distinct nuances between incineration and co-incineration are highlighted in this work. Incineration stands out for its volume reduction and waste disposal, while co-incineration is integrated into industrial processes, such as in the cement industry. In environmental terms, data on atmospheric emissions and the results of the impact and damage characterization phases were collected from LCA studies. For the energy analysis, energy data from cement plants and incinerators was taken into account. On the economic area, cost values were collected for comparison, which showed that an incinerator plant spends five times more than a co-incineration one. The results emphasize the need for a more in-depth debate on energy recovery in Brazil, given the lack of adequate attention to the subject. The lack of national data on waste management highlights the importance of producing more internal knowledge to support future decisions and strategies.