Abstract
Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has become a major challenge in Sri Lanka for post-conflict development activities. Many urban areas are facing severe problems in managing 10 to 50 metric tons of waste per day. However, limited research has been carried out to identify the key issues and policy gaps in MSWM. This research studies the existing complexities of MSWM processes, practices, and emerging challenges in three highly congested urban areas in the south-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. A mixed method strategy using field observations, semi-structured interviews and secondary data sources was employed for the data collection. The study revealed that, although the MSWM systems in the urban areas include all necessary elements, their effectiveness and efficiency are not satisfactory due to poor or non-segregation of waste at the source of generation; lack of resources; absence of regulation to reduce waste generation and control polluters; absence of regular collection schedule; and lack of technical know-how and initiatives. The recommendations drawn from the study include feasible solutions and immediate measures required to improve the MSWM before the related environmental and public health problems become a social catastrophe. The recommendations will also greatly contribute in the achievement of developing sustainable cities.
Highlights
One of the performance measures for the degree of good governance in an area is the state of the urban environment, in general, and of waste management in particular, which has an inter-relationship to social, economic, public health and many other dimensions of an urban living [1]
Solid waste management in an urban context has become an enormous challenge for local authorities in developing countries primarily due to increasing generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), difficulty in allocating and managing the higher cost for MSW within the municipal budget, lack of scientific understanding of technicalities associated in different stages of managing
The existing Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) systems in the urban areas include all necessary elements, it is evident that the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing systems are not at a satisfactory level
Summary
One of the performance measures for the degree of good governance in an area is the state of the urban environment, in general, and of waste management in particular, which has an inter-relationship to social, economic, public health and many other dimensions of an urban living [1]. Waste management is linked to and contributes to the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations such as Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production [2]. An urban council or municipality which cannot effectively carry out solid waste management is hardly able to manage more complex public services such as education, transportation, or health, since managing MSW is the most essential service a local authority can offer [3]. Solid waste management in an urban context has become an enormous challenge for local authorities in developing countries primarily due to increasing generation of MSW, difficulty in allocating and managing the higher cost for MSW within the municipal budget, lack of scientific understanding of technicalities associated in different stages of managing
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