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Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices and Challenges in the Southeastern Coastal Cities of Sri Lanka

Author

Listed:
  • Abdul Majeed Aslam Saja

    (Faculty of Engineering, University Park, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil 32360, Sri Lanka)

  • Abdul Majeed Zarafath Zimar

    (Faculty of Engineering, University Park, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil 32360, Sri Lanka
    School of Engineering, RMIT University, P.O. Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia)

  • Sainulabdeen Mohamed Junaideen

    (Faculty of Engineering, University Park, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil 32360, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has become a major challenge in Sri Lanka for post-conflict development activities. Many urban areas are facing severe problems in managing 10 to 50 metric tons of waste per day. However, limited research has been carried out to identify the key issues and policy gaps in MSWM. This research studies the existing complexities of MSWM processes, practices, and emerging challenges in three highly congested urban areas in the south-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. A mixed method strategy using field observations, semi-structured interviews and secondary data sources was employed for the data collection. The study revealed that, although the MSWM systems in the urban areas include all necessary elements, their effectiveness and efficiency are not satisfactory due to poor or non-segregation of waste at the source of generation; lack of resources; absence of regulation to reduce waste generation and control polluters; absence of regular collection schedule; and lack of technical know-how and initiatives. The recommendations drawn from the study include feasible solutions and immediate measures required to improve the MSWM before the related environmental and public health problems become a social catastrophe. The recommendations will also greatly contribute in the achievement of developing sustainable cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdul Majeed Aslam Saja & Abdul Majeed Zarafath Zimar & Sainulabdeen Mohamed Junaideen, 2021. "Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices and Challenges in the Southeastern Coastal Cities of Sri Lanka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4556-:d:539441
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Xingyao Liu & Kai Wang & Hui Lu, 2023. "Research on Supply Chain Decisions for Production Waste Recovery and Reuse Based on a Recycler Focus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Viridiana Del Carmen-Niño & Ricardo Herrera-Navarrete & Ana Laura Juárez-López & María Laura Sampedro-Rosas & Maximino Reyes-Umaña, 2023. "Municipal Solid Waste Collection: Challenges, Strategies and Perspectives in the Optimization of a Municipal Route in a Southern Mexican Town," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Abhijeet Ghosh & Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng, 2021. "Temporal and Spatial Distributions of Waste Facilities and Solid Waste Management Strategies in Rural and Urban Saskatchewan, Canada," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Mutu Tantrige Osada Vishvajith Peiris & Gileemalege Lalithri Navodya Dayarathne, 2023. "Application of Life Cycle Framework for Municipal Solid Waste Management: a Circular Economy Perspective from Developing Countries," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    5. Sophie Gudmann Knutsson & Therese Asplund & Gunnar Höst & Konrad J. Schönborn, 2021. "Public Perceptions of Waste Management in Sri Lanka: A Focus Group Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Worku Adefris & Shimeles Damene & Poshendra Satyal, 2023. "Household practices and determinants of solid waste segregation in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Zuzana Pucherová & Imrich Jakab & Anna Báreková & Jarmila Králová, 2021. "Streamlining the Municipal Waste Management System in the City of Nitra (Slovak Republic) Based on a Public Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-30, December.

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