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Sustainability indicators in the evaluation of pig farms

The present pig farming is characterized by the intensive production in units of confinement. This model, in addition to consuming natural resources, generates the large amount of waste, which requires appropriate treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of sustainability in pig farms. A new evaluation method - System of Sustainability Indicators in Pig Farming (SISS) - was proposed and applied on farms with different management systems: manure heaps, biodigestors, composting and deep bedings. SISS proved to be efficient, easy to apply and comprehensive to the practice of pig farming. Farms that used composting had a greater set of sustainable practices. The deep bedings system was considered the worst among the farms. We emphasize the need for joint action by members of the production chain, so that this activity will be considered sustainable.

waste management; environmental management; pig farming, sustainability indicators


Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental - ABES Av. Beira Mar, 216 - 13º Andar - Castelo, 20021-060 Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: esa@abes-dn.org.br