Municipal solid waste characterizations and management strategies for the Lower Rio Grande valley, Texas

    Authors

    N. B. Chang;E. Davila

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Waste Manage.

    Keywords

    FUEL PROCESS; INCINERATOR; MSW; GASIFICATION; PYROLYSIS; LEACHATE; REMOVAL; SYSTEM; MODEL; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences

    Abstract

    The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV or Valley) in Texas, facing the big waste management challenge along the US-Mexico border today. is at the crossroads as a result of the rapid population growth, the scarcity of landfill space, the bi-nation's trade impacts, and the illusive goal of environmental sustainability. This paper offers a unique municipal solid waste investigation with regard to both physical and chemical characteristics leading to illuminate the necessary management policies with greater regional relevancy. With multiple sampling campaigns conducted during the spring of 2005, this study holistically summarizes the composition of solid waste, the statistical distribution patterns of key recyclable items, and the heating value in an uncertain environment. Research findings indicate that high fractions of plastics and paper in the waste stream imply a strong potential for energy recovery. Incineration options are thus bolstered by mildly high heating values across 10 cities in this region, which may lead to save land resources required for final disposal and increase electricity generation in the long run. Additional regression analyses further identify the correlation between recyclable items and heating value, which show that current recycling programs permit no obvious negative impacts on the incineration option. Final statistical hypothesis tests for both the Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito and the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan regions help foster consistent management strategies across the Valley regardless of the trivial differences of waste characteristics in between. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Waste Management

    Volume

    28

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    776

    Last Page

    794

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000254553100002

    ISSN

    0956-053X

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