Statistical analysis of solid waste generation in the State of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

An adequate management of solid waste in a territory must consider the parameters linked to their characteristics. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform a statistical analysis of the global quantity of urban solid waste generated in the state of Bahia. Data collection on urban solid waste generation was carried out through the National Sanitation Information System and a quantitative analysis of the data through descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests through the PAST software (PAleontological Statistics - version 4.03), with different groups, based on the quantitative population. It was possible to observe that the municipalities with the largest population are the largest generators, but with averages with normal distribution between the data and, the vast majority, with adequate disposal of their solid waste. The municipalities with fewer inhabitants, although generating less waste, showed statistical differences in the average generation and, most of them, do not have an adequate disposal of their waste. The results of the quantitative scenario of solid waste found with this research can serve as a discussion for the current models of management and management of solid waste in the municipalities, relating waste generation with population density and how the lack of management influences the distribution average waste generation.