Current practices and challenges in solid waste management: A study based on Southern province of Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Solid waste management issues in developing countries are widely discussed. Based on a study conducted in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, this paper discusses existing practices and widespread difficulties in solid waste management in Sri Lanka. The study collected qualitative and quantitative data through direct interviews and online surveys. Qualitative data was collected from relevant officials, informal waste collectors, and households. Quantitative data was collected through online surveys, emphasising household waste disposal procedures. The study’s findings revealed that a lack of awareness and inadequate regulations resulted in low rates of waste segregation at the source. Low solid waste collection rates are primarily due to the shortage of collection vehicles and crew. The solid waste collection rate in the Southern province is estimated to be 23% of the total daily generation. Although open dumping is the most popular ultimate disposal technique, several municipalities offer composting yards that transform biodegradable waste into compost. Some municipalities sell other waste components for recycling. Informal waste collectors play an important role in waste recycling since they exclusively collect waste that has commercial value. They collect coconut shells, specified types of glass, plastics, metals, and paper through their door-to-door collection service. Many of the community is left to manage their solid waste, which they dispose of by open burning or in an onsite pit. Since increasing government investment in solid waste management is not feasible, the study proposes public-private partnerships to convert waste to energy or use small-scale domestic pyrolysis plants to convert waste into biofuel. Furthermore, raising knowledge about waste segregation and encouraging the use of residential composting bins may help to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste handed over to waste collection services.