A Tale of Two Cities: The Emergence of Urban Waste Systems in a Developed and a Developing City

Erni Mukhtar,Peter Shaw,Francis Ongondo,Ian Williams

doi:10.3390/recycling1020254

Abstract

Developing cities have historically looked to developed cities as exemplary models for waste management systems and practices without considering the consequent resource requirements or the key characteristics of the local setting. However, direct adoption of developed cities’ approaches without proper consideration of the local circumstances may lead to unsustainable future waste management in developing cities. This study evaluates waste management in London and Kuala Lumpur, representing developed and developing cities, focusing on the integration of policy changes, socio-economic background and waste data trends on a multi-decadal scale. This analysis reveals the gradual implementation of initiatives, the challenges faced and the attempted solutions that were applied differently in both cities. Conceptual models of waste management status in different scenarios for both cities were developed. These models highlight that societal behaviour shifts from minimal waste generation (wasteless) to throw-away society (wasteful) and a drive to achieve sustainable waste behaviour with integration of resource recovery and waste minimization (wasting less). A detailed understanding of the evolution of waste management systems towards fulfilling public needs alongside rapid urbanization can provide new perspectives on future waste scenarios, especially in developing cities. Ultimately, reliable and accurate data are crucial to avoid inaccuracies in planning for future waste management.

Highlights

Urbanization, rapid economic growth and increasing urban populations have resulted in a marked escalation in quantities of waste generated, heterogeneity and complexity [1,2]
In Malaysia, the general terms of waste are defined in the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act (2007) as: (a) any scrap material or other unwanted surplus substance or rejected products arisings. from the application of any process; (b) any substance required to be disposed of as being broken, worn out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled; or (c) any other material that according to this Act or any other written law is required by the authority to be disposed of, but does not include scheduled wastes as prescribed under the Environmental
The analysis has led to the development of conceptual models of waste management status—illustrating the possible transition of societies from “wasteless” to “wasteful” and, eventually, to “wasting less”—that may apply more broadly to cities similar to Kuala Lumpur and London

Summary

Introduction

Urbanization, rapid economic growth and increasing urban populations have resulted in a marked escalation in quantities of waste generated, heterogeneity and complexity [1,2]. Waste management practices in developed cities currently focus on optimization strategies for resource conservation [7,8] whilst approaches to waste management in developing cities are often underdeveloped [9], operationally inefficient, and inadequately managed, with limited knowledge and expertise to hand [1,10]. These distinct shortcomings have led to an urgent need for developing cities to seek advice towards shaping waste management systems that are workable and acceptable in local settings

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion