Strategies for sustainable solid waste disposal process for sub urban DSD in Gampaha

Abstract

Waste management, particularly solid waste management, is a major problem in Sri Lanka. Every person in the world disposes garbage into the environment daily. The amount of waste disposed depends on people's income, human perception or ethics and institutional facilities. Sri Lanka generates around 7,500 metric tons of waste per day and the 3,500 metric tons are produced in the Western province. About 261 governments and communities based open garbage dumps have been created in Sri Lanka. The amount of waste disposed from houses (household waste) in suburban areas can be reduced from reaching an open garbage dump by practicing sustainable waste management process. The objective of this study is to identify the waste management strategy in a suburban area in a sustainable manner. For this study, Oruthota South GN Division of the Divisional secretary area of Gampaha district has been selected a sample of 10% of the population. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations. The study examines the sustainable use of waste disposed process in the suburban area as decaying and non-decaying garbage. That was to study whether waste disposal were used to recycle, reuse, or compost fertilizer. It was recognized that 88% of households did not manage the garbage within their own premises. 80% of them are accustomed to putting garbage into the Pradeshiya Sabha tractor. As a result, the garbage dump lands will be increased. Thus, suburban areas require sustainable strategies to waste management. People's attitudes must be changed to fulfill this purpose. Until now, it has not established sustainable waste management practice by laws in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the disposable waste should be valued and tax should be imposed on the quantity of garbage. That can be a good solution to the reduced open garbage dumps in Sri Lanka.