DIAGNOSIS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE CONTROLLED LANDFILL IN TERESINA - PI, BRAZIL

Abstract

This article analyzes the management and final disposal of municipal solid waste in Teresina (PI), focusing on the implementation, operation, and challenges of the municipality's controlled landfill, in light of the guidelines of the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS). The qualitative and exploratory research used the case study method, based on a literature and document review, interviews with technicians from the Teresina Urban Development Company (ETURB), and a technical visit to the landfill. The results point to institutional and operational weaknesses marked by successive emergency contracts, lack of long-term planning, and deficiencies in waste segregation and disposal. It was found that the landfill, although it has undergone structural improvements, still releases untreated biogas and faces problems of access control and social vulnerability of waste pickers. The decommissioning of the main cell and the transfer of waste to private landfills highlight the urgent need for integrated public policies that prioritize selective collection, the socioeconomic inclusion of waste pickers, and transparency in contract management. It is concluded that the sustainability of waste management in Teresina depends on overcoming institutional instability and adopting practices compatible with the PNRS goals.