The improper disposal of organic waste generated in food supply centers significantly contributes to environmental impacts. This study evaluated waste management practices at CEASA-MA, in São Luís, capital of Maranhão, Brazil, through on-site visits, document analysis, and interviews with administrators and merchants. Approximately 245 tons of waste are generated monthly, with incomplete separation and disposal in landfills. In a scenario of adequate segregation, the estimated potential includes 18,468 Nm³ of biogas and 15,100 Nm³ of methane per month, corresponding to approximately 150,000 kWh of energy. Additionally, about 123 tons of compost could be produced monthly. These results highlight the potential for waste valorization through composting and anaerobic digestion, contributing to sustainable waste management and reducing Brazil's dependence on imported fertilizers. Keywords: biogas, composting, waste management.
Santos et al. (Thu,) studied this question.