Urban Metabolism and Waste Flows in Small Municipalities: Methodological Advances in Material Flow Analysis

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate Urban Metabolism (UM) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) approaches to characterize waste flows in small Brazilian municipalities. Additionally, it aims to develop a method that contributes to the environmental management of municipal waste.   Theoretical Framework: This study utilizes the models and concepts from UM and MFA approaches.   Method: The EUROSTAT guide, proposed by the Statistical Office of the European Union for national-scale MFA, was adopted as the methodological reference and adapted to the Brazilian municipal context. The method's development involved progressive refinement cycles, including secondary data collection, improvement, and evaluation. The method was tested in a case study in the municipality of Feliz, RS.   Results and Discussion: The results indicate that the developed method provides a comprehensive understanding of the municipality's waste flows, including their magnitude, origins, and destinations. The UM and MFA approaches offer an integrated perspective of waste flows with other material flows in the municipality, facilitating the visualization of circular economy possibilities.   Research Implications: The research offers insights into the application of the results for environmental waste management in small Brazilian municipalities, providing more informative diagnostics than those required by the National Solid Waste Policy.   Originality: This study contributes to the literature by proposing specific methodologies for analyzing waste flows in the municipal context. Additionally, it introduces innovations compared to previous applications of MFA in Brazil.