Study on the issues in Solid Waste Management; special reference to selected sub-urban area in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In developing countries, the high density of population, industrialization, urbanization and economic growth contribute significantly to increase solid waste generation. Sri Lanka, as the highest per capita waste generated country in South Asia with 5.1Kg per capita per day faces serious difficulties, particularly in waste recycling. Strengths and capabilities of local authorities are inadequate to make a sustainable process for solid waste management. 100 households and 30 private waste recycling companies have been selected as the sample and this research examined the competency of promoting private sector participation as an alternative supporting service for local authorities. And, this research attempted to identify the impact of households’ waste management related practices on current waste issue in the country. Basically, three indicators were designed according to the quality of the household practices, competency of social aspect and the competency of institutional aspect. Finally, it was found that there is 85% high competency for promoting private sector participation according to social aspect while there is 100% competency according to institutional aspect