Factors governing an integrated solid waste management program A case study at Nuwara-Eliya district secretariat division

Abstract

Solid Waste Management is one of the main national problems in Sri Lanka and integrated solid wastemanagement (ISWM) has been recommended as the only solution. However, ISWM is hardlysuccessfully practiced anywhere in the country due to many inherent reasons. This study examinesthe governing factors for the success/ failure of an ISWM program within 3 LAs including MunicipalCouncil (MC), Urban Council (UC), and Pradeshiya sabha (PS) in Nuwara Eliya Divisional secretary area. The main objectives of this study were to identify these governing factors and ways to overcomeconstraints in implementing a IWMS successfully in the country.

Forthis case study 135 households (HH) representing high, medium, and low income categories wereselected from 3 LAs in the OS and field surveys were conducted for a period of three months. Thesehouseholds were given 3 bags of different colors once a week and householders were requested toseparate the waste into different types and collect separately once a week. Waste collected on theother days was given to the municipal collectors. This sorted waste was measured to assessparticipation. The willingness to engage in an ISWM program was gauged through questionnairesurveys aski ng for their wi IIingness and also by actually monitoring their continuous participation inthe solid waste sorting exercise throughout the study period. A second questionnaire survey wasconducted on the same group of people to assess whether their response has changed after actuallyengaging in the ISWM exercise. In addition surveys were also conducted to assess the Duties andResponsibilities of LAs with regard to SWM, Practices of3R (Reduce, Recycle, Re-use) systems byLAs and HHs, final disposal mechanisms and Public awareness and attitudes towards issues relatedto SWM etc. Interviews were held with LA officials also for these information. The study revealedthatthe dominant SWM problems in the LAs are, lack of suitable land for final disposal, lack of publicparticipation and cooperation, among others

The questionnaire survey conducted at the beginning of the study revealed that wi IIingness to sort outSW was found to be 98.33%. However after the three month period it was found that only 86.6%have participated in the actual sorting out and the second survey has shown the response to be87.39% for willingness to sort. At the beginning willingness to Re-use or Recycle ofSW was 77.69%.Statistical analysis showed that this factor is related to the chief occupants educational level, Incomeand the service provided by LAs. 53.3 % participants have indicated willingness to compost if acompost bin is provided whereas only 19.17% have indicated willingness to compost if a bin is notprovided. In addition it was revealed that only 28.7% of the participants are willing to make anadditional payment for a better service and only 52.63 are willing to assist the local authority resolveSW problems in the LA. The waste generation quantity data which were statistically analyzed showedthat waste generation depends significantly on the income levels and the locality. According to theresults it can be concluded that ISWM involves a wide variety of tasks, involving both individual andteam work. Since factors such as education level, income level also govern participation in an ISWMprogram a common practice cannot be targeted for all. Specific programs should be developed fordifferent neighborhoods and targeted awareness creation is compulsory.