Waste Generation Rate and Composition Analysis of Solid Waste in Gujranwala City Pakistan

Abstract

IntroductionOne of the key practices for resource conservation and environmental protection is the proper waste management [1]. In waste management, municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is one of the important element of environment which is highly neglected in most of the under developed and developing countries [2]. In developed countries collection of MSW is equal to generation amount, however in developing countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh etc., the scenario is very different and management of MSW consists of primary and secondary collection and open dumping [3][4][5][6]. In 1996, population of Pakistan was 160 million with 35% population living in urban areas and the total waste generation rate in urban areas of Pakistan was 55,000 tons per day [7]. By the end of 2014, waste generation in Pakistan was as high as 71,000 tons/day [8]. However, the current population has increased to 196 million people, which is pushing the boundaries of cities and indicates higher waste generation amount. This increasing amount of solid waste is one of the most daunting challenges to regulatory authorities to maintain clean cities.Economic growth, urbanization, demographic growth and changing life styles are the key reasons behind increase in MSW generation in Pakistan [9]. Increased solid waste amount pose difficulty in efficient waste management process (transportation, storage and disposal) [10]. Worldwide quantity and composition of solid waste varies with region/state, climate and socio-economic conditions [11][12][13][14]. In most of the Pakistani cities only 60% of the waste is collected and 90% of the collected waste ends up in open dumping [5]. However, for cities to be relatively clean more than 75% of the waste must be collected. The MSW generation rate in Data Ganj Bakhash Town of Lahore City of Pakistan was estimated at 0.84 kg/capita/day with total 1369.8 tons per day of waste with 67.02% organic waste [5]. Lack of reliable data, poor institutional arrangements, non-compliance of laws, limited resources (finance and equipment), lack of trained manpower are the major constrains for proper management of MSW. In Pakistan during the last decade due to migration of people from rural to urban areas the population rate in cities has increased from 3.7-7.4%. AbstractIn developing countries like Pakistan, the amount of solid waste is increasing due to rapid urbanization and economic growth. Limited financial resources and lack of data availability about the amount and composition of the solid waste are posing difficulties to regulatory bodies towards proper planning of solid waste management systems in big cities. Also, solid waste generation and characterization are the essential parameters that affect the environmental sustainability. The aim of this study is to document the information on waste quantity being produced and its composition in Gujranwala city of the Pakistan. Results of this study can help the government to develop a sound waste management system for such expanding cities in the country. Ave...

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