Vantagens ambientais, econômicas e sociais da transformação de um caminhão de coleta de resíduos sólidos movido a diesel para biometano

Abstract

The decarbonization of heavy road transport is one of the main challenges of the energy transition and the development of smart and sustainable cities. In this context, biomethane produced from municipal solid waste has the potential to reduce atmospheric emissions, promote the circular economy, and enhance urban sustainability. This research aimed to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social advantages of transforming a municipal solid waste collection truck, originally powered by diesel, to use biomethane from a landfill in the city of São Paulo. A qualitative approach with quantitative triangulation was adopted, structured as a single case study and complemented by a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA protocol. The analytical model integrated the environmental, economic, and social dimensions from the perspective of the circular economy. The study included operational monitoring of the vehicle for twelve months, emissions analysis using the Well-to-Wheel (WTW) method, economic evaluation through Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and analysis of the social impacts associated with renewable fuel. The results demonstrated that biomethane offers superior environmental performance compared to diesel, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 93.7% in the complete fuel cycle, in addition to reductions of approximately 89% in nitrogen oxide emissions and 85% in particulate matter. Economically, the viability of vehicle conversion was verified, with lower operating costs and a more favorable return on investment. Socially, a potential contribution to improving air quality, reducing impacts on public health, strengthening the biomethane production chain, and generating jobs associated with the circular economy was observed. It is concluded that the use of biomethane in waste collection trucks constitutes a technically viable, economically competitive, and environmentally effective alternative, contributing to the sustainable management of urban waste, the decarbonization of heavy transport, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.