Final disposal sites in León, Guanajuato: a narrative of progress and pending subjects

Abstract

Economic growth, population growth, consumer culture and the absence of environmental education are factors that directly affect the increase in the volume of urban solid waste (MSW) generated in cities. This dynamic represents a strong pressure for the municipalities, which, with scarce resources, they try to manage. The final disposal of msw, which is the center of interest of this proposal, constitutes the final process in the Integral Management of Solid Urban Waste, which is essential to avoid affecting health of the population and the environment. Therefore, the objective defined here was to determine the current condition of the final disposal sites (SDF) of MSW in the third municipality with the largest population in Mexico: Leon, Guanajuato. Through qualitative research, which consisted of in-depth interviews with those responsible for managing the two SDF “El Verde” and “La Reserva,” it was possible to identify the progress made in the first, but also the pending subjects in the second, which can be complexly addressed, since it depends on political will and budgetary flexibility to harmonize in Leon a final provision in accordance with the regulations.