Containers for construction and demolition waste as urban furnishing: an environmental and public health issue

Abstract

The use of metallic waste containers in public areas for storage of construction and demolition wastes-C&D debris was introduced in Brazilian cities in the 1990's, becoming a piece of urban furnishings and modifying landscape. The equipment is used to confine the residues in order to avoid its environmental dispersion, human contact and to make easier its collection and transportation. In spite of these advantages the containers represent environmental and health risks. In order to verify the interference of the containers in streets and sidewalks and to identify risks, a field study was undertaken: 58 containers parked in 5 different neighborhoods of the city of São Paulo were observed in terms of location, use of car accident prevention reflective painting and contents.Results indicated that non-conformities were present in most cases: inadequate parking places, faded reflective paints, excessive content, organic and toxic materials inside, objects with points and cutting edges in sizes larger than the container, among others. It is necessary to develop an integrated approach for these containers in order to comply to, besides C&D debris management, environmental and public health safety, while respecting landscape and esthetic values. Only then the containers will benefit life quality in Brazilian cities.