Pilot Study of Generation and Disposal of Municipal Solid Wastes in Selected Household in Rural Areas in the South-Western Poland

Abstract

Pilot study of the composition of wastes was carried out in 15 rural family households engaged in agricultural activity. In the study group the average resident of rural areas generates about 166 kg of municipal wastes annually. The conducted studies showed that the composition of municipal wastes coming from rural households changes seasonally. During the periods of summer and autumn, the quantity of bio-wastes increased distinctly. The average mass of wastes transferred to the companies engaged in the collection of wastes in the analyzed rural households is almost 50 kg . M -1 . year -1. The studies showed that over 80% of organic wastes (kitchen and garden) is utilized in the place where they are generated. In the studies, organic wastes were collected selectively (in separate bags), which undoubtedly had infl uence on their humidity (70-90%). Laboratory analysis of these wastes showed that the ratio C:N in it was from 7 to 19, whereas pH lay within the limits from 5.8 to 6.9 indicating its very good properties for the composting process. Therefore composting of organic waste from rural household should be recommended as the best way for its disposal and the weight reduction of biodegradable waste going to landfi lls. Comparison of the analyzed variants showed that some waste other than kitchen and garden does not leave the holding (it is re-used or burned in home hearths).

Plastic Pollution, Waste Management Issues, and Circular Economy Opportunities in Rural Communities

“…Uncontrolled incineration and unauthorized landfilling remain major problems as the worst solutions for plastic waste. Strzelczyk [272] has found that more than 80% of farmers burn their waste (including plastic) in household furnaces, resulting in significant air pollution. The total number of landfills in rural Poland is 318 [271].…”