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Collection of Municipal Solid Waste Key Issues for Decision-Makers in Developing Countries

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Collection of Municipal Solid Waste Key Issues for Decision-Makers in Developing Countries Collection of municipal solid waste Key issues for Decision-makers in Developing Countries This booklet is concerned with the collection of garbage and other types of solid waste from houses, shops and other commercial premises, and with the sweeping of streets and public areas. It has been written for two purposes. The first purpose is to provide suggestions to guide decision- COLLECTION OF makers when they are considering changes in waste collection equipment or in the way that a waste collection service is provided MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE or managed. Because decision-makers often have little time for Key issues for Decision-makers in Developing Countries reading, it is written in a concise form and avoids details. It begins by introducing four basic principles and then discusses common problems or challenges and possible ways of managing them. The second purpose is to introduce a comprehensive new book, also published by UN-Habitat, and also on the topic of municipal solid waste collection. This book provides a wealth of explanations, examples and practical information on how to make waste collection systems economical, reliable and sustainable. This book can be found on a CD that is included with this booklet. UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME P.O. Box 30030, GPO Nairobi 00100, Kenya Tel: +254-20-7623120; Fax: +254-20-7623477/4266/4267 E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.unhabitat.org/ COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE Key issues for Decision-makers in Developing Countries ii COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE Collection of Municipal Solid Waste Key issues for Decision-makers in Developing Countries First published in Nairobi in August 2011 by UN-HABITAT. Copyright © United Nations Human Settlements Programme 2011 All rights reserved United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) P. O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi GPO KENYA Tel: 254-020-7623120 (Central Office) www.unhabitat.org HS Number: HS/094/11E ISBN Number(Volume): 978-92-1-132385-6 DISCLAIMER The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers of boundaries. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the United Nations, or its Member States. Excerpts may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Author: Dr. Adrian Coad Editor: Tom Osanjo Design & Layout: Irene Juma Photos: © Adrian Coad Printing: UNON, Publishing Services Section, Nairobi, ISO 14001:2004-certified. COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE iii INTRODUCTION The collection of municipal solid waste is a public service that has important impacts on public health and the appearance of towns and cities. Unfortunately many urban administrations seem to be losing the battle of coping with the ever-increasing quantities of waste. The challenge is made greater by the diversity of materials in the waste, which is no longer mainly food waste and ash, but includes more and more plastic packaging, paper and discarded electronic equipment. The booklet is written for decision-makers in the fields of local politics, management and technical issues and who are concerned to upgrade the solid waste collection service for which they are responsible. This booklet serves as an introduction to a much larger book, also published by UN-Habitat, which is entitled “Collection of Municipal Solid Waste in Developing Countries”, and which can be found on the CD accompanying this booklet, as well as being available in printed form. (In this booklet it is referred to simply as “the book”). The ideas and suggestions in this booklet are discussed and illustrated in much more detail in the book, and the reader of this booklet is encouraged to refer to the book for more information. Solid waste collection faces a range of challenges, and the difficulties faced by one city can be very different from those experienced by another. The aim of this booklet is to assist the reader to find help for particular challenges. The first chapter presents some basic principles of good solid waste collection. Chapter 2 summarises the challenges iv COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE that commonly face decision-makers, and suggests strategies for improving the effectiveness, efficiency and acceptability of solid waste collection services. Chapter 3 suggests key points on decision- making. Short answers to the following questions can be found in this booklet, together with links to more comprehensive information in the book. • Why are we experiencing problems with our existing waste collection vehicles? • How can we extend the coverage of our waste collection service to more of the urban population? • How should the method and frequency of collection be decided? • What information is needed to set up a reliable waste collection system? • Where should public storage containers be located? • How can we get the waste off our streets? • Why do some modern collection trucks give disappointing results? • What are the benefits of designing particular systems for particular cities? • When is it necessary to install transfer stations? • What can be done to ensure that the waste collection service is reliable and value for money? • How can we involve the private sector so that we get a good service at reasonable cost? • What should be done with informal waste pickers and recyclers? COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE v CONTENTS INTRODUCTION iii CHAPTER 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES 1 1.1 Local factors have a major impact 1 1.2 Involve the public 7 1.3 Observe and listen 7 1.4 Measure and monitor 9 CHAPTER 2: PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES 10 2.1 Shortage of funds 10 2.2 Inability to provide full coverage 13 2.3 Littering and illegal dumping 13 2.4 Use of unsuitable vehicles 19 2.5 Unreliable vehicles 24 2.6 Our system is old-fashioned and we are not recycling 25 2.7 Experience with contractors has been disappointing 26 2.8 Too many complaints 27 2.9 Lack of public co-operation 27 CHAPTER 3: SOLID WASTE COLLECTIon – MAKING DECISIONS 29 vi COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE The collection of municipal solid waste is a public service that has important “ impacts on public health and the appearance of towns and cities.’’ COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE 1 1 BASIC PRINCIPLES 1.1 LOCAL FACTORS HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT The failure to consider important parameters of each particular location has led to many failed systems and the wastage of huge sums of money. In many cases, collection vehicles and containers have been purchased in large numbers but they have not been effective and have been operational for only short periods that are much less than their expected design lives. In some cases unsuitable equipment has been purchased because of corruption, but in many cases the fault lies with the assumption that the same type of waste collection equipment will work effectively in any situation. It is not difficult to understand how such mistakes are made. Sometimes decision-makers visit cities in industrialised countries that use sophisticated compaction vehicles, and often these cities are very clean. The visitor assumes that the cleanliness is the result of using complex vehicles and so he or she determines to purchase similar vehicles in the expectation that the same results will be achieved. Unfortunately the assumption is wrong, the vehicles are unable to provide the necessary service and the condition of the city deteriorates. In other cases the vehicles may be selected on the basis of advertising or following the visit of a persuasive salesman. Because this is such an important factor it is worthwhile to consider the relevant local factors carefully. The sequence in which they are listed below is not significant. A more detailed discussion of these points can be found in Chapter 2 of the book. 2 COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE a. Expectations and attitudes of the citizens: In some cities the residents expect that their waste will be collected from each house every day. In contrast, in northern Europe, citizens accept that their waste must be placed in street containers or collected from their houses once every week or even less frequently. Different requirements need different systems. Large compactor trucks are suitable only if relatively large volumes of waste are picked up at each stop. In some countries street containers are very unsuitable because waste is scattered around them, and residents will not accept to have a street bin located in front of their house. The distance that residents are prepared to carry their wastes is affected by cultural factors; in some cases residents find it unacceptable to be seen carrying their wastes in the street any distance at all. If children are sent to carry waste to a street container, the container must be of a size and type that allows children to use it. The level of concern for the environment varies considerably from one place to another. It is not uncommon for residents who keep the interiors of their houses immaculately clean to have no concern for the condition of the street outside the house. Many people seem to regard drains as acceptable places for dumping wastes, apparently unaware of the risks of flooding and mosquito-borne disease. Law enforcement officers and the courts are sometimes very reluctant to take effective action to prevent misuse of containers and careless dumping of waste. The design of storage and collection systems should take these attitudes and beliefs into consideration. It may be possible to change some attitudes with a concerted campaign of public education, but usually such changes take years rather than months and so it might be wise to design current systems for current attitudes.
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