Disposal of Urban Wastes

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) influences the degree of sustainability of urban environment. As part of the effort to eliminate poor living conditions in urban slums and to improve the quality of urban development, a good practice of SWM is needed urgently to elevate the quality of life in countries where the urbanization rates accelerate at unprecedented speeds. By reviewing the current development of disposal and management of urban wastes, it is concluded that current trend in approaching urban sustainability via SWM is to strategically integrate several waste treatment methods to optimize the recovery of recourse and to reduce the volume of wastes. Additionally, the application of spatial technologies and the enhancement of the proper practice of waste sorting at the household level are needed as part of the integrated waste management service to further aid the effectiveness of any waste treatment methods. This way, the SWM can assist achieving higher level of urban sustainability and can adapt to the ever-changing composition of solid wastes produced by the fast-urbanizing and developing society.