What Is Solid Waste Management?

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CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND

Solid waste is defined as any material which no longer has any value to its original owner and which is discarded (Ashenafi, 2011). The first humans did not care much about waste and open dumping and waste burning practices did not pose a significant problem in earlier years due to the smaller population and availability of sufficient land for disposal of waste (Tsega, 2013). The introduction of more complex products into the waste stream, increased urbanization and population growth, which have resulted in an increase in waste generation which negatively impacts open dumps (New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 2008). Approximately, 56.7% of Basotho live in the Lowlands and it is predicted that …show more content…

Although the majority of people perceive solid waste as an environmental nuisance worthy only for disposal in landfills and dumpsites, whereas some people who perceive it as a business opportunity and have established waste recovery centres in Lesotho. A number of private companies are currently actively involved in some aspects of waste management, particularly in collection, sorting, and occasional exporting of recyclables (Carl new, 2008- new sources). The prominent challenge is that in developed countries, resource recovery is done mechanically and is institutionalized by the government, while in developing countries; recycling are done by waste pickers or scavengers, with waste dealers who are still making use of old and hazardous waste recovery techniques …show more content…

This program includes efforts such as waste collection, transportation and storage and safe disposal of waste. Procurement of recycled content supplies and equipment and education are also part of solid waste management. As compared to high income countries, municipalities in low and middle income countries allocate the majority of their solid waste management budget to collection and transportation services to a certain fractional population and final disposal costs are minimal because disposal is usually accomplished through open dumping (Tsega, 2013). Guerrero et al. (2013) added that most are poorly rendered services by municipal authorities as the systems applied are unscientific, out-dated and in-efficient and government policies on the environment are piecemeal where they exist and are poorly implemented. Moreover, the lack of funding and equipment that enables waste management systems to operate efficiently exacerbates erratic solid waste management in developing countries. According tp Bhavannrayana et al.(2003), municipal solid waste management has emerged as a dominant urban environmental issue that has attracted academic, economic and media debates, and has over the years developed into an independent discipline’. However, growth in publication and public general awareness is so slow therefore more has to be done to engage commuters to participate

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