A case study on solid waste disposal and environmental problems in the Kurunegala town

Abstract

Creating a “dustbin culture” as a result of technology development, population growth and urbanization, is a significant issue in urban areas. Waste is being increased in urban and sub urban areas continuously and it directly affects on our environment, natural beauty and human livelihood too. The main objective of this study is to identify the nature of solid waste disposal and worse effect occurred due to misbehavior of urban dwellers when they dispose waste in to surrounding areas. Focus group interviews, observations and a questionnaire survey were used to collect primary data and information. Secondary data sources were also used to enrich the research study. Five urban units were selected from the Kurunegala Municipal council. Urban divisions were randomly selected as the study area as; Ilipugathara, Gettuwana, Upper theliyagonna and Maha veediya. Both the Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the data. The study reveled that the quantity of waste disposal was considerable high in high income households than low income households. Quantity of solid waste disposal was based identified on their income, used equipments and areas they have selected to dispose the solid waste. Average per capita waste in the study area was 185g/per day. Due to the limited space people used to dispose waste into main roads and minor roads. The results also revealed that, the disposed solid waste has been umping openly in Sundarapola area and therefore a large amount of waste rocks could be seen in most of the places in the study area at the time of the study. As a result of this situation, various environmental issues were created in the study area. Bad smells, increasing mosquitoes growth, pollution of ground water and surface water sources were some of the issues observed in the study area. Many diseases have also been spread like stomachache and smother inhalation problems. Women’s involvement is essential to start the household waste management. Awareness programs should be introduced in the study area. Environmental friendly solid waste disposal system should be immediately introduced in a sustainable way in the area. The Municipal Council should take initial steps to solve this problem immediately