Problems and constraints in solid wastes disposal and management in Matara municipal area.

Abstract

The focus of this research was to identify the problems and constraints in Solid Wastes disposal and management in the Matara Municipal area and to make suggestions and recommendations to overcome them. Domestic and industrial solid waste has becomes a rapidly emerging problem in many cities and towns in Sri Lanka. Increasing quantities of solid waste impose a tremendous pressure on local authorities responsible for the disposal and management of such waste. Over the years, the amount of municipal solid waste generated in the Matara municipal area has grown steadily, due to the growing population, and especially due to the changing life styles and the increasing use of disposable materials and excessive packaging. This trend was evident from the observations made at the main dumping site situated at the heart of the Matara town, on the left bank of the Nilwala River at the vicinity of the Mahanama Samaraweera Bridge. The solid waste composition was roughly calculated and the information on the existing solid waste disposal system was obtained through interviews, questionnaire surveys and self observations made during regular visits to selected sites. Currently, the Municipal solid waste amounts to 2.386kg ± 0.206 per household unit per day. The current population size of the Matara municipal area is 71134 individuals, who generate sufficient wastes to fill about 25-30 garbage tractor loads each day, averaging to a total of about 23 metric tones per day (Karunanayake, 2004). The mean composition of the domestic waste generated by a household in Matara municipal area was found to be, 53% of short term decomposable organic matter, 15% of long term decomposable organic matter, 8% of metallic rejects, 6 % of polythene and plastic materials, 6% of wooden matters, 3% of paper waste, 1% of glass and the remaining 8% made up of other materials. This investigation highlights certain important problems associated with solid waste disposal such as the disposal of solid waste generated by health-care activities, day to day problems faced by the local residents in the disposal of domestic solid waste and the financial constraints faced by the local government authority and the administrative deficiencies in the disposal mechanism.