The reality of solid waste management in urban areas of Latin America

Abstract

Currently, the generation of solid waste is observed as a problem that is escalating to higher levels in all countries of the world and also in Latin America. Thus, this literature review article aims to understand and describe the various waste management procedures used in different countries in the region. A search was carried out in different databases and bibliographic sources, using the Scielo, Dialnet and Scopus platforms. In this way and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were selected, which were considered to provide the reality of policies, action plans, innovation in management techniques and infrastructure. Finally, the administrative deficiency in waste disposal processes is pointed out, which occurs widely in Latin America, with Brazil being the country that presents the greatest number of studies highlighting the deficiencies of its constituent cities. Furthermore, the impact of the joint work of participatory agents (population, state, private sector) is highlighted, which conditions both the good and bad results of solid waste management.