Organic waste management at a food supply center in Maranhão State, Brazil, and proposals for valorization of discarded fruit and vegetables

  • Jeannye Estephany Keyth da Silva Santos Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais. Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Rua Visconde do Rio Branco, n° 210, CEP: 12020-040, Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
  • Paulo Fortes Neto Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais. Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Rua Visconde do Rio Branco, n° 210, CEP: 12020-040, Taubaté, SP, Brazil. Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Estrada Municipal Dr. José Luiz Cembranelli, n° 5000, CEP: 12081-010, Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
  • Cecilia Nahomi Kawagoe Suda Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais. Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Rua Visconde do Rio Branco, n° 210, CEP: 12020-040, Taubaté, SP, Brazil. Instituto Básico de Biociências, Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Avenida Tiradentes, n° 500, CEP: 12030-180, Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4136/ambi-agua.3132

Resumen

The improper disposal of organic waste generated in food supply centers significantly contributes to environmental impacts. This study evaluated waste management practices at CEASA-MA, in São Luís, capital of Maranhão, Brazil, through on-site visits, document analysis, and interviews with administrators and merchants. Approximately 245 tons of waste are generated monthly, with incomplete separation and disposal in landfills. In a scenario of adequate segregation, the estimated potential includes 18,468 Nm³ of biogas and 15,100 Nm³ of methane per month, corresponding to approximately 150,000 kWh of energy. Additionally, about 123 tons of compost could be produced monthly. These results highlight the potential for waste valorization through composting and anaerobic digestion, contributing to sustainable waste management and reducing Brazil's dependence on imported fertilizers.

Keywords: biogas, composting, waste management.

Publicado
14/05/2026
Número
Vol. 21 (2026)
Sección
Articulos

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