A comprehensive analysis of a municipal solid waste management system: an Argentinean case study

Abstract

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) systems were initially developed to address society’s needs for managing waste from manufacturing and consumption. However, modern cities produce waste with new characteristics that introduce various challenges and opportunities for MSW systems. Consequently, MSW systems must evolve to capitalize on these opportunities and address emerging threats by leveraging their strengths. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of current material and waste flows in modern cities and evaluates the state of an Argentinean MSW system using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) methodology. Following this analysis, which includes consultations with several experts, a range of improvement strategies is identified, and the implementation of many of these strategies is discussed, taking into account the specific characteristics of the case study. The findings highlight the value of the proposed approach in developing strategies to enhance the efficiency and resilience of MSW systems, ultimately contributing to the creation of more sustainable and liveable communities.