Gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos do Município de “El Alto” na Bolívia e potencial de aproveitamento

Abstract

The city of El Alto, Bolivia, faces significant environmental pressure due to the insufficient management of municipal solid waste (MSW). The prolonged operation of the Villa Ingenio dumpsite—already near its maximum capacity and projected to close by 2028—combined with delays in the activation of the new sanitary landfill in Milluni Bajo, exposes serious structural weaknesses while simultaneously opening opportunities for technological alternatives focused on waste valorization and industrial recovery. This study evaluated the potential MSW generation in the municipality and identified pathways for sustainable utilization. The methodology integrated population projections from the National Institute of Statistics (INE, 2012 – 2024), updated institutional data, and the per capita MSW generation index (0.384 kg/inhab·day), combined with a patent survey related to waste treatment and transformation technologies. The results indicate a moderate population increase of 1.8% between 2020 and 2025, accompanied by a rise in daily waste generation from 523.91 to 533.41 tons, with the organic fraction remaining predominant. Given this scenario, the adoption of an integrated management model—supported by composting, biodigestion, pyrolysis, and industrial recovery—is understood as a key strategy to reduce landfill dependence, strengthen the circular economy, and foster environmental innovation within the urban context of El Alto.