Study on the relation between solid waste volume and residential collection methods with reference to Soysapura flats

Abstract

Everyday human generates waste and municipal solid waste is supposed to be increased with urbanization. 3 billion urban residents generate 1.2 Kg of waste per person per day. This study was carried in Soysapura Flats which is located 17 Km away from the financial capital of Sri Lanka. The main objective was to study the impact of the volume of urban domestic solid waste on collection and storing methods in Soysapura Flats. The literature reveals that the volume of waste generated in developing countries continues to increase and the contribution by the urban domestic waste is effective but there is a lacuna of studies related to the residential waste collection and storing in the aspect of volume. The study used a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. 80 families were selected and interviewed to identify their methods of waste disposal, devices, practices and attitudes. And necessary measuring tools were used in order to carry out the volume measurements. The findings revealed that 8.062 litres of degradable waste and 5.828 litres of non-degradable waste generated per day by a family of Soysapura Flats. The degradable volume of waste was easily managed with the present collection method and system but not the non-degradable waste category. Further detailed investigation is needed to identify the impact of waste volume on collection methods, especially in the aspect of waste and waste types.