Trends of Municipal Solid Waste Characterization and Management Strategies for an Algerian City

Abstract

The characterization of household waste is a crucial step in waste management. It consists of collecting information on the composition and properties of waste produced by households. This can help waste managers plan for more efficient collection, treatment and disposal of waste. The aim of this research is to examine characterization and offer appropriate remedies for the management system of Municipal Solid Waste in Batna city. The French MODECOMTM method, developed by the French Environment Agency (ADEME) was our tool to determine characterization. Therefore, characterization should allow to bring out the properties of waste that are essential for optimizing approaches to municipal solid waste management and treatment. This research enabled the identification of the main trends in household waste in Batna city (54.8 % Organic Mater, 15.36 % textiles and 14.12 % Plastics). The ratios thus obtained are the main parameters of waste management. The study addressed household solid waste production at three different income levels (low, medium and high). The paper provides an in-depth analysis on the characterization waste and concludes which practices can be applied for the treatment of MSW to improve the Municipal Waste Management in Batna city for a sustainable development.