Use of a geographic information system to find areas for locating of municipal solid waste management facilities

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a pressing concern for Goiás State, Brazil. Of the state's 246 municipalities, only 16 send their waste to licensed landfills. This means that 93% of the cities in Goiás dispose of their MSW inappropriately, in dumps or unlicensed landfills. This practice poses a danger to both the environment and to public health. On this basis, the goal of this study was to survey potential landfill sites in Goiás. A geographic information system tool was used to first identify Goiás landfills and dumps and then examine them, to check whether they are located in legally restricted areas. This tool cross-references morphology, land use and occupancy, conservation of the environment, public health and population projections for 2040. It then outputs restriction-free areas that are suitable for landfill construction. The results indicate that, by 2040, Goiás will have 59,500 km2 available for landfills, i.e., 17% of the state's total area. Conversely, 60% of the state's geographical area will be off limits for landfill construction. The most urgent need is in the Goiânia Metropolitan area, which will be producing about 40%, of 6,850 t⋅day−1, of the MSW generated in the state by 2040. This metropolitan area will have the smallest restriction-free area for landfill construction (832 km2). A total of 235 MSW final disposal facilities were identified in Goiás: 15 licensed landfills, 23 unlicensed landfills and 197 dumps. Of these, 15 are in permitted areas, 38 are in areas subject to approval and 182 are in restricted areas. These numbers highlight the need for Goiás municipalities to terminate and/or readjust landfills and unlicensed dumps and to set up new MSW management facilities that conform to the legal and environmental requirements and the expected population growth.