Gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos na agroindústria sucroenergética na Zona da Mata paraibana.

Abstract

Industrial growth intensifies the generation of solid waste, also in agro-industry, with adverse consequences to the environment. This issue constitutes a challenge for the public power, companies and society. In this research aimed to assess the solid waste management and the resulting adverse environmental impacts in a sugarcane agro-industry in the Zona da Mata in the state of Paraíba, as well as to propose measures of environmental suitability. A description of the sugar, alcohol and energy production process was given, and the types of waste generated were identified. Qualitative and quantitative research procedures were addopted by visiting the site, performing direct observation and carrying out informal interviews with environmental managers and those responsible for the production process. Records found in the technical and scientific literature were also used. The data found were organized and analyzed, and will probably be used to elaborate the solid waste management plan of the studied agroindustry. The diagnosis helped to know the amount and destination of wastes, as well as the economic and environmental potential of the agroindustry. The environmental aspects and impacts of the solid waste generated in the agroindustrial process were identified. According to the results, it was verified that the company develops practices that intend to neutralize or minimize the environmental impacts by planning, executing and monitoring the destination of the wastes, but it lacks actions that contemplate all the wastes generated. The complexity of the processes and activities developed by the industry also makes difficult the implementation of sustainable measures to combat difficulties in solid waste management, then it is expected that been optimized with the implementation of the measures indicated in this study. Therefore, it has hoped which this study contribute to elaboration of solid wastes management plan of the agroindustry.