Abstract

RODRIGUEZ ESCOBAR, Luz ángela. Towards Environmental Management of Solid Residues in large Latin-american Cities. Innovar [online]. 2002, vol.12, n.20, pp.111-120. ISSN 0121-5051.

Contamination generated by the accumulation of solid residues, present in all large cities in Latin-America, affects the ecosystem. Such contamination is caused by the population and its agglomeration in urban areas. Statistical data regarding large Latin-american cities leads to a direct relationship being established between a population and the accumulation of solid residues and also between the level of income and the generation of residues, showing that population-solid residue relationship is mediated by economic and cultural variables. Information regarding the generation of rubbish per person and respective socioeconomic level leads to differences in the quantity and quality of the residues generated by individuals from different socioeconomic levels being established. This in turn is associated with different life styles and consumption patterns. The production of rubbish thus becomes boosted by the dynamics of production and consumption and demographical dynamics; as this is an unexpected effect produced by both, it makes solid residues become a sub-product of the development model and demographical dynamics. The environmental problem raised by solid residues in large Latin-American cities within the proposed scenario appears to remain unresolved and any decision aimed at its fundamental resolution is only seen in terms of changing the development model and society´s behaviour. A less extreme solution consists of integral solid residue management through integral management policies.

Keywords : Solid residues; contamination; population; integral management.

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