USINA DE CARBONIZAÇÃO E CADEIAS PRODUTIVAS DE RECICLAGEM PARA ELIMINAÇÃO DO ATERRO SANITÁRIO EM CAMPO GRANDE-MS

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management based on landfills is an unsustainable linear model, generating significant environmental, economic, and social externalities. This work proposes and validates an integrated and replicable model for the elimination of landfills in medium sized cities, using Campo Grande-MS as a case study. The model synergistically combines a slow pyrolytic carbonization plant with high-value-added recycling production chains, positioning itself at the forefront of the circular economy applied to urban management. The approach transcends conventional "end-of-pipe" solutions. This process converts the residual fraction of MSW (~161 t/day) into a portfolio of market-value products: biochar, pyrolytic oil, and syngas. Beyond the drastic reduction in volume and emissions, the model generates a surplus of ~2.2 MW of electrical energy and enables carbon sequestration through the stable application of biochar to the soil. Simultaneously, recyclable fractions are directed to local production chains that transform them into inputs for the construction industry, such as ecological bricks, plastic roof tiles, paving elements, and urban furniture, closing the materials loop. The adopted methodology combined critical bibliographic research, detailed technical modeling with mass and energy balances, and economic-financial analysis via discounted cash flow. The modeling demonstrates that the integrated system is capable of diverting between 684 and 791 tons of waste per day from the landfill, exceeding the total waste generation of Campo Grande and achieving the "zero landfill" goal. The honest and well-founded economic analysis reveals that the financial viability of the investment (estimated CAPEX of R$ 200-250 million) is intrinsically linked to the internalization of environmental benefits. While a scenario without support mechanisms presents a negative NPV, the introduction of a landfill diversion fee ("gate fee"), a consolidated practice in Public-Private Partnerships, makes the project economically attractive, with a positive NPV of R$ 40.1 million in the base scenario. It is concluded that the transition to a circular and sustainable model is technically and economically feasible. Keywords: waste management, circular economy, recycling, pyrolysis, biochar, zero landfill