ONE MAN'S TRASH, ANOTHER'S POTPOURRI: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN MEXICO.

Our paper addresses the potential opportunities for improved environmental and socioeconomic conditions that a combined landfill gas and Solid Waste Management (SWM) program could accomplish in Mexico. Some municipalities hope to generate landfill gas (called "bio-gas") that be used to meet electricity demands. In addition, thousands of informal waste pickers called pepenadores recycle garbage to make a living. This presumably highly unskilled labour force could prove to be both cost-effective and socially beneficial if they were incorporated into proposed landfill gas and energy production activities. In this paper, we discuss the feasibility of SWM in Mexico, with implications for other regions and situations. We conclude by making appropriate recommendations for future study and implementation of innovative SWM approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]