Abstract
Sri Lanka, being a developing country, currently undergoes high influx of population, rapid infrastructure developments and increasing urbanization. These have paved the way for the increase of solid waste generation rates in the country. However, the majority of the Sri Lankan cities have failed to manage their waste sustainably due to lack of proper management system. Assessment of the existing solid waste management system would be an important step towards developing a sustainable SWMS in the future for these cities. In this context, this study aims to investigate the performances of public and private sector waste management systems, to learn from each sector by identifying the positive and negative aspects of their performances and to identify the ways that can uplift the entire solid waste management system sustainably. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods in the Negombo municipal council area whereas Multi-criteria analysis was incorporated as the main analysis technique. Findings revealed that, Private sector has better performance in economic and social measures than the Public sector whereas the Public sector has better performance in environmental measures. Accordingly, findings suggest that public private partnerships, performance measuring, regulating and benefit and risk sharing mechanisms should be incorporated towards the long-term sustainability of future SWMS.
Highlights
Since the waste generation is motivated by human activities [1], the countries which have high population growth rates and population densities are struggling to manage the generated waste [2]
The private sector in waste management can be defined as the cooperation, institution, firm, individuals, family or community enterprises, who engage with waste management related activities [13]. They should have accounts and financial management that are not part of the accounting system of national or local government [15]. There can be both formal and informal private sector operators in waste management, this study has focused only on the formal private sector which has an official business license and registration in waste management
The performance measures that can be used to evaluate the performance of a waste management system were identified through the literature review
Summary
Since the waste generation is motivated by human activities [1], the countries which have high population growth rates and population densities are struggling to manage the generated waste [2]. Majority of the developing countries including India and Sri Lanka have faced difficulties in managing solid waste, which has led to complex social, environmental and health concerns. Similar to majority of the countries around the world, the responsibility of managing waste is a mandate of Local Authorities (LAs) in Sri Lanka [3]. The budget allocation for waste management in LAs is in between 20%-25% from total budget [4], LAs have been failed to manage the waste in a sustainable manner. Sri Lanka is struggling to manage waste with the increase of solid waste volumes. 95% of the collected waste is disposed through open dumping, which has no control at all [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
