SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN

URBAN AREAS

Present By :- RU/E/2007/092
RU/E/2007/115F
RU/E/2007/119
RU/E/2007/120
RU/E/2007/156
RU/E/2007/207
F
 INTRODUCTION
• Management of solid waste is a growing
problem in Sri Lanka.
• Open dumping of solid waste has been the
most common disposal practice.
• It is everywhere. surrounding our homes,
schools, hospitals, lining our roads, and
blocking our waterways and beaches.
• Piles of trash are being dumped in beauty
spots and environmentally sensitive areas.
• Garbage is not disposed of properly, collected
effectively, or managed adequately.
• These garbage mountains has now become a
landmark in our cities.
 EFFECT TO THE SOCIETY


• Garbage affect both Humans and animals.

• Nobody enjoys living in a rubbish dump.
Rotting rubbish is unsightly and foul-
smelling, and makes it extremely unpleasant
to live or work nearby.
• It also leads to an increase in the incidence of
diseases born by vectors such as rats,
mosquitoes and flies.
• Blocked drains and waterways are a significant
cause of local flooding.
• More harmfully, the leaching of toxic matter
and heavy metals (including lead and
 What is Solid Waste?
 Solid waste is all waste generated as solid
or converted to a solid for disposal such as
paper, plastic, glass, metal, electric goods
and etc.
 The solid waste composition in Sri Lanka
is,
o Biodegradable – 76%
o Paper – 10%
o Plastic – 6%
o Glass – 2%
o Metal – 2%
o Other -4%
 The sources of solid waste are residential,
commercial, industrial, agricultural,
 Hazardous Waste
• Hazardous waste could be highly toxic
to humans, animals and plants; are
corrosive, highly inflammable or
explosive.
• The characteristics of hazardous waste;
o Ignitable hazardous waste
o Corrosive hazardous waste
o Reactive hazardous waste
o Toxic hazardous waste
• Hazardous waste mostly generates
 from sources such as industrial,
hospital and household.
 ORGANIC AND INORGANIC WASTE

• Organic - Animal and plant based refuse that can be

breakdown and biodegrade harmlessly over time.
• Inorganic - Man made trash that has to be re-processed or
recycled and cannot be naturally biodegrade.
 ORGANIC AND INORGANIC WASTE CONTD…
Organic Inorganic
(Bio- degradable) (Non Bio-degradable)

Commercials Food waste Glass

Coconut shells & husks Polythene
Card board Egg shells
Ash Plastic
Paper

Residencies Kitchen waste Egg shells

Garden waste polythene
paper
Current Situation

• Littering
• Open Dumping
• Incineration
• Composting
 Solutions to improve the
existing SWM System in Sri
Lanka
• Make the current solid waste
collection system more efficient by
– Encouraging and motivating the
workers
– Giving better equipment and
transportation vehicles
• Maintain proper disposal sites
• Carryout awareness programs on
how to manage solid waste

 Integrated Solid Waste
Management
The Waste Management
Hierarchy
 Recycle
• Increase the production of compost and
bio gas using bio degradable solid waste.
• Use more recycled and degradable food
containers instead of plastic
• Give plastic and glass to recycle centres
• Use recycled paper and products made
using them.

  Reduce  Reuse
• Throw less garbage • Reuse pieces of
in the first place cloth to make
• Use natural & rugs, bags etc
degradable • Some organic
material instead of
waste as Animal
polythene
feed
• Use packaging
substitutes made • Composting and
from recycled biogass
material • Be innovative in
reusing
 Concluding….
What can we do?
• As future Engineers we have a bigger role to
play here
– Thorough Analysis of waste & existing SWM
process
– Strategic plans to bring sustainable
solutions…etc
• Each and every person can help with the
waste problem
• Take a small step towards becoming better
citizen….
– Don’t litter everywhere.
– Always throw garbage into the dust bin
instead of around it.
– Buy recyclable or recycled products
– Use less polythene and plastics
The End….