Technical and Socio-cultural Implications of the Municipal Solid Wastes Production and Disposal

Socio-cultural implications in choosing, designing and operating municipal solid waste (MSW) collecting and treatment systems are often on the back of technical and financial elements, when they have to be considered crucial as much as the engineering and economic aspects for reaching the target of a satisfying and environment-friendly management of the entire MSW treatment cycle. This chapter is therefore focused on shedding lights on the relevance of combining carefully such aspects, through a comprehensive analysis of the following three items: (i) critical elements that affect the MSW management system; (ii) socio-cultural and anthropo- logical relevance and perception of waste and its disposal; (iii) main MSW treatment methods. The conclusion of this study is the principle that the limits that hinder a proper MSW management system can be overcome only through a multidisciplinary approach that scientifically faces socio-cultural and technical issues related to MSW and, at the same time, wisely meets public and private needs.