In Curitiba, the discussion on solid waste has increased at the popular, academic and political spheres due to the difficulties on finding ways of treatment and disposals to replace the current waste disposition at the Caximba sanitary landfill. The scenarios technique has been used in many areas as a tool for strategic planning. This article brings a characterization of municipal household waste production and management in Curitiba, and presents the scenario technique as an approach to waste management planning. The study indicates that 0,6 kg.for inhabitant are daily generated, a value that is below the Brazilian cities average. Despite this low rate, the amount of recyclable material was found to be 40% of the total amount destined to the landfill. A methodology for the building of future scenarios of household waste production in Curitiba was developed, and some hypothetical scenarios were built and compared in order to demonstrate the application of the technique and to contribute with municipal solid waste management in Curitiba, and with the development of strategies and management policies. Among the simulated scenarios for the period of 2008-2020, stands out that for a 20% reduction of recyclable material, economical savings of about R$ 2.410.000 and reduction of 535.000 ton. of solid waste may be achieved in comparison to the current scenario ("do nothing").
solid waste management; scenario techniques; municipal planning
