Abstract

FIERRO OCHOA, Aurora; ARMIJO DE VEGA, Carolina; BUENROSTRO DELGADO, Otoniel  and  VALDEZ SALAS, Benjamín. Analysis of solid wastes generation in supermarkets from Mexicali, Mexico. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.4, pp.291-297. ISSN 0188-4999.

The Article 28 of the "Ley General para la Prevención y Gestión Integral de los Residuos" establishes that the companies that produce large amounts of solid wastes are forced to follow handling plans. Nevertheless, it was found that such plans do not exist in several local, regional and national supermarket chains in Mexicali, Baja California. The Official Mexican Norm for in situ characterization of residues, NOM-AA-019-1985 (SECOFI 1985a), was modified and used in three supermarkets. In the three supermarkets it was observed that the largest amounts of wastes are cardboard boxes with 10 239 kg/week, and organic wastes with 6728 kg/week. A difference in the composition of the organic wastes was observed: in one supermarket, the largest amount is conformed by meat bait, while in the other two it is vegetables and fruits. Organic wastes represent approximately 23 % of the total generated wastes in all three supermarkets. The data from the characterization were compared with those obtained from a survey answered by the managers of the same supermarkets. A deep lack of knowledge regarding the type as well as the amount of daily generated wastes was found.

Keywords : waste characterization; waste minimization; organic waste; solid waste disposal; market.