STUDY OF SOLID WASTE PRODUCED AT THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR

Abstract

This study characterizing the solid waste produced at the Catholic University of El Salvador¹ is based on the need to understand the main parameters for waste analysis. The objective is to propose treatment measures that utilize the latent resources within the waste produced. The characterization was based on the main physical and chemical parameters. The physical parameters were: per-capita production, physical composition of the waste, moisture content, and specific gravity; and the chemical parameters were: physical analysis, elemental analysis, and energy content. The process for determining the parameters involved establishing a period for weighing the waste daily for six consecutive days, given that the university is closed on Sundays. The per-capita production (PPC) was obtained from the daily waste weighings. The waste components were then separated, and their percentage composition by weight was determined. Subsequently, the remaining parameters were calculated.