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Organic Waste Buyback as a Viable Method to Enhance Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries

Author

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  • Hiroshan Hettiarachchi

    (United Nations University (UNU-FLORES), 01067 Dresden, Germany)

  • Jay N. Meegoda

    (New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07032, USA)

  • Sohyeon Ryu

    (Department of Political Science and International Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

Abstract

Many developing countries have inadequate Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management systems due to lack of not only the awareness, technologies, finances, but also a proper governance that is able to enforce and monitor the regulations. Not all the solutions practiced by and in developed countries fit to the developing country contexts. The local conditions and limitations must always be taken into account when proposing waste management options for developing countries. The excessively high organic waste fraction in MSW and relatively inexpensive labor markets available in developing countries are two of the strengths that have not yet been utilized fully. This manuscript is an attempt to point out the benefits we receive from the above two strengths if we establish organic waste buyback programs. This can only become successful if we find solutions to: (1) collect source-separated organic waste, and then (2) find stable markets for the products made from organic waste. Compost or biogas could be the best bet developing countries can consider as products. However, there must be some policy interventions to support buyback programs at the waste collection stage as well as at the product marketing stage. Implementation of such organic waste buyback centers that can offer some incentives can indirectly motivate residents to do source separation. This will in turn also help promote more recycling, as any waste bin that has no organics in it is much easier for anyone (e.g., waste pickers) to look for other recyclables. Developing country settings such as the Green Container composting program in Cajicá, Colombia, and buyback centers in South Africa that are presented later in the manuscript are thought to be the places where the concept can be implemented with little effort. The environment, economy, and society are considered to be the three dimensions (or pillars) of sustainability. Interestingly, the organic waste buyback centers solution has positive implications on all three aspects of sustainability. Thus, it also supports the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations (UN), by making specific contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as zero hunger (SDG 2), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).

Suggested Citation

  • Hiroshan Hettiarachchi & Jay N. Meegoda & Sohyeon Ryu, 2018. "Organic Waste Buyback as a Viable Method to Enhance Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2483-:d:181196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Cristina Rada & Claudio Zatelli & Lucian Ionel Cioca & Vincenzo Torretta, 2018. "Selective Collection Quality Index for Municipal Solid Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Evariste Bako & Assèta Kagambèga & Kuan Abdoulaye Traore & Touwendsida Serge Bagre & Hadiza Bawa Ibrahim & Soutongnooma Caroline Bouda & Isidore Juste Ouindgueta Bonkoungou & Saidou Kaboré & Cheikna Z, 2017. "Characterization of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolated in Organic Waste Products (Cattle Fecal Matter, Manure and, Slurry) from Cattle’s Markets in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-12, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. S. Bhuvaneshwari & Hiroshan Hettiarachchi & Jay N. Meegoda, 2019. "Crop Residue Burning in India: Policy Challenges and Potential Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Ismaila Rimi Abubakar & Khandoker M. Maniruzzaman & Umar Lawal Dano & Faez S. AlShihri & Maher S. AlShammari & Sayed Mohammed S. Ahmed & Wadee Ahmed Ghanem Al-Gehlani & Tareq I. Alrawaf, 2022. "Environmental Sustainability Impacts of Solid Waste Management Practices in the Global South," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-26, October.
    3. Navarro Ferronato & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.
    4. Betul Hande Gursoy Haksevenler & Aydin Akpinar & Hiroshan Hettiarachchi, 2023. "The Social Dimensions of an Incentive-Based Urban Recycling Program: A Case-Study from Istanbul, Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Sabbir Ahmed & Sameera Mubarak & Jia Tina Du & Santoso Wibowo, 2022. "Forecasting the Status of Municipal Waste in Smart Bins Using Deep Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.

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