Projecção de um triturador para o reaproveitamento de resíduos orgânicos depositados na lixeira de Hulene

Abstract

The inadequate management of municipal solid waste is one of the greatest challenges faced by rapidly growing cities, especially in developing countries. The city of Maputo, capital of Mozambique, has suffered for decades with serious problems related to the collection, treatment, and final disposal of urban waste, with the Hulene dump site serving as the most evident symbol of this crisis. Located in a densely populated area, this open-air landfill has been in operation for over 50 years, accumulating tons of untreated waste without effective environmental control. Among the various types of waste deposited there, organic waste represents the predominant fraction. According to studies conducted by Marrengula, Sitoe, and Zimba (2023), more than 60% of the municipal solid waste collected in Maputo is of organic origin, such as food scraps, vegetables, leaves, and other biodegradable materials. When disposed of without separation or treatment, this type of waste contributes to the production of leachate, the emission of greenhouse gases, and the proliferation of disease vectors. It also takes up significant space in landfills. In this context, the development of simple, efficient, and locally adapted technological solutions for organic waste recovery becomes essential. Among the promising alternatives is the use of waste shredders. By reducing the volume and accelerating the decomposition of waste, shredders facilitate processes such as composting and anaerobic digestion, helping to transform organic waste into useful products like fertilizer and energy. This study aims to design an organic waste shredder to promote the recovery of materials deposited at the Hulene dump. The proposal seeks not only to provide a technically viable solution but also to promote a sustainable waste management model with potential for community application and low implementation costs. The development of such equipment could represent a concrete step toward reducing the environmental impact caused by the improper disposal of organic waste, while also encouraging circular economy practices and waste valorization in Mozambican urban contexts.