Improving Municipal Solid Waste Collection Services in Developing Countries: A Case of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal

Assessment of inorganic solid waste management techniques using full consistency and extended MABAC method

Population and industrial growth have spiked product consumption, which in turn have caused an abrupt rise in municipal solid waste (MSW) production. Due to the lack of resources allocated to waste management, municipal inorganic solid waste (ISW) has increased exponentially, posing a significant strain on the environment and health. To mitigate these issues, sustainable waste management strategies need to be implemented to reduce environmental impacts and improve waste collection and disposal efficiency. The objective of our work was to analyse and identify the most effective techniques for disposing of ISW in India by employing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). This technique entails selecting the most suitable alternative based on a variety of competing and interactive criteria. A fusion decision model named the FULL COnsistency Method (FUCOM) and Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison (MABAC) based on the interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy (IV q-ROF) was developed. Finally, a comparative analysis was performed to demonstrate the system's robustness.

A system dynamics model and analytical hierarchy process: an integrated approach for achieving sustainable solid waste management system

Waste management in low-income countries faces challenges with an average cost of $35/ton approximately 51% collection efficiency. Despite investments in treatment, processing, and recycling, the system remains unsustainable owing to poor planning and policies. The current analysis of Lahore's solid waste management (SWM) system, selected as a major city of a low-income country as a case study, focuses on collection efficiency and waste generation. However, it neglects the complex and dynamic nature of SWM systems. To capture the complexities and dynamic nature of the SWM system, system dynamic (SD) modeling is proposed for its effectiveness in modeling complex and dynamic systems. Unlike previous attempts at SD modeling that mostly consider only some components of the SWM system with varying success, this study attempts to use a holistic approach by considering all aspects of an integrated SWM system. In addition, this study explores different financial and management policies, highlighting the weaknesses of the system through a quantitative comparison of three scenarios: (1) business-as-usual (BAU) which considers the current trends in waste generation and practices of collection and disposal to landfill, (2) waste treatment system (WTS) in which various waste treatment systems are included to reduce burden on landfill, and (3) introduction of user fee with awareness campaigns (UFAC) which encourages community participation towards reduction in waste generation and financially supports the SWM. All three scenarios use four indices: waste generation, waste ending up in landfill, uncollected waste, and annual budget deficit as performance indices. These scenarios were simulated over a 25-year period using an SD model, covering all six components of the SWM system. The BAU scenario shows a 16% increase in waste generation, a 173% increase in landfill waste, an 11% reduction in uncollected waste, and a 64% increase in the budget deficit over the simulation period, indicating an unsustainable SWM system. The WTS scenario exhibits a 16% increase in waste generation, a 155% increase in landfill waste, an 11% reduction in uncollected waste, and a 61% increase in the budget deficit, showing a significant reduction in landfill waste and a slight reduction in deficit but it remains unsustainable. The UFAC scenario, however, results in a 40% reduction in waste generation, a 67% decrease in uncollected waste, an 8% decrease in landfill waste, and a 59% decrease in the budget deficit. These results demonstrate that instituting user fees for SWM services and incentivizing community participation towards waste reduction and segregation can make the SWM system of Lahore sustainable. This SD model provides insights for policymakers, aiding what-if analyses and long/short-term waste management plans for metropolitan cities in low-income countries. To validate the sustainability judgments based on performance indices, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool commonly used for ranking policy decisions based on competing criteria, was employed. It considered the same four criteria as in the SD model. The results of the AHP analysis aligned with those of the SD model, ranking the UFAC scenario as the most sustainable option.

A conceptual framework for sustainable waste management in small municipalities: the cases of Langebaan, South Africa and Swakopmund, Namibia

Municipal waste management is a major challenge for local governments in South Africa and Namibia, as in other developing countries. The circular economy concept in waste management is an alternative sustainable development framework that has the potential to combat resource depletion, pollution, and poverty while achieving the SDGs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current waste management systems in Langebaan and Swakopmund municipalities resulting from municipal policies, procedures, and practices in the context of a circular economy. A mixed method approach was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data through structured in-depth interviews, document analyses, and direct observation. The study found that the Langebaan and Swakopmund municipalities have not yet fully implemented the circular economy concept into their waste management systems. A mix of waste consisting of papers, plastics, cans, tyres, and organic products is dumped into landfills weekly at a rate of about 85%. The main challenges to implementing the circular economy concept include: lack of technical solutions, inadequate regulatory frameworks, insufficient financial resources, lack of private sector involvement, insufficient human resource capacity, and inadequate information and knowledge. A conceptual framework was therefore proposed to guide the municipalities of Langebaan and Swakopmund in implementing the circular economy concept in their waste management systems.

Solid waste composition and its management: A case study of Kirtipur Municipality-10

The world population is expanding in line with the general trend. The demand for goods is currently higher than it has ever been before. This has resulted in the production of more waste than ever before. The problem of waste management is not new for humans but the complexity of the issue has increased more in present days. The research was focused on composition of solid waste and its management in Kirtipur-10. The research was conducted in ward 10 of Kirtipur municipality to know the ground reality of solid waste in households. The research aimed to understand the solid waste situation, its composition, problems and finding possible solutions to the problems. Household survey, Focused group discussion were conducted during November month of 2022 to collect data. 75 household were taken as sample for research. Wastes, collected from all of the groups of households, were segregated and weighed. Household solid waste (HSW) was comprised of seven categories of waste with organic waste being the largest component (44 %), plastic (13 %), paper (11 %), Glass (10 %), rubber (9 %), others (7 %) and Hazardous waste (6 %). Municipal authorities are usually the responsible agencies for solid waste collection and disposal, but the magnitude of the problem is well beyond the ability of any municipal government to tackle. There is strong dissatisfaction among municipal resident on waste management by local government. Looking at the composition of waste produced, composting of waste at home level can bring a sustainable solution to the problem. The solid waste management system in Kirtipur has low efficiency and needs to be improved.

"The rich will always be able to dispose of their waste": a view from the frontlines of municipal failure in Makhanda, South Africa

A significant proportion of South African municipalities, who hold the mandate for providing solid waste management (SWM) services for millions of South Africans, appear to be on the brink of collapse. On the frontlines of municipal failure, the city of Makhanda, following two decades of poor governance and mismanagement, has found itself unable to fulfil its mandate, with the state retreating on SWM service provision, and disruptions to waste management services becoming a daily reality. Drawing on embedded, qualitative fieldwork, this article examines how differently placed residents have experienced disruptions to SWM services. This work explores how residents of Makhanda's two halves: the affluent and predominantly white neighbourhoods in the west, and the poor, non-white townships in the east, have (or have not) adapted to manage and dispose of their own waste during periods of disruption. Findings suggest that disruptions to waste management service provision have been broadly experienced by residents. However, the consequences of interruptions to municipal collection have not been evenly borne, as more resourced, western residents have been more successful at managing their own waste disposal, while the residents of Makhanda's townships are less capable of coping, with affected communities coming to resemble a dumping ground, and residents having to adopt unsafe or environmentally harmful disposal practices. These findings are important because they shed light on the challenges of creating cleaner, more equal communities without healthy municipal participation in waste management services, while raising important considerations for a South Africa facing the possibility of widespread municipal collapse.

Assessing the preference and spatial dependence of a solid waste management system in Nepal: A choice experiment approach

This study deploys a choice experiment method to estimate the preference and willingness to pay for a better solid waste management system in Siddharthanagar municipality in Nepal. A primary survey of 611 households was conducted, and the results from the Generalized Multinomial Logit Model (GMNL) indicate a public preference for a better waste management service. Significant heterogeneity in household preferences is evident after accommodating each choice selection's preference certainty in the GMNL model. On average, households prefer to pay the highest amount for constructing and maintaining a sanitary landfill, which is Nepalese Rupee (NPR) 158/month (USD 1.43). The geographic distribution of the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) by hot spot analysis from the geocoded location also indicates spatial heterogeneity across the study area. The MWTP for each waste management attribute is spatially autocorrelated, and household awareness and attitude significantly impact this spatial dependence. Overall, both the choice models result and spatial analyses indicate the policy should be targeted at a localized level to increase awareness concerning the proper management of solid waste.

Assessment of Households’ Willingness to Join and Pay for Improving Waste Management Practices in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background

Waste management has become a serious challenge in urban areas of developing countries. However, managing municipal solid waste generated is the most costly urban service and needs community engagement in management of municipal solid wastes. Therefore, this study determined willingness to join and pay for improving solid waste management services and associated factors among households of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Method

We performed a community-based cross-sectional study design to assess willingness to join and pay for improved solid waste management and its predictors among residents in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was computed to identify the factors associated with willingness to join and pay for improved solid waste management services. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report an association, and a p < 0.05 was used to declare a statistically significant association.

Result

Of 552 study participants, 91.5% (95% CI: 89.2, 93.8) were willing to join and 86.3% (95% CI: 83.3, 89.4) of them were willing to pay for improving solid waste management services. Having a large family size, higher educational status, positive attitude, and good knowledge of waste management services, access to waste management services, and amount of waste generated per week were positively associated with willingness to support improved solid waste management services. In addition, we found that respondents with high educational status, monthly income, who had good knowledge of waste management, access to waste management services, and the amount of waste generated per week were significant predictors of willingness to pay for improved solid waste management.

Conclusion

This study found that a significant number of the respondents were willing to support and pay for improved solid waste management services. A higher probability of willingness to support and pay for solid waste management services among residents who had access to waste management services and good knowledge of solid waste management was observed. Therefore, wide-range awareness creation through mini media should be used to address poor knowledge. In addition, establishing more temporary waste collection sites in every corner of cities is needed to encourage households to support and pay for improved solid waste management services.

Exploring the nitrogen reservoir of biodegradable household garbage and its potential in replacing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in China

Biodegradable household garbage contains a large amount of nitrogen, which could be used as organic fertilizer to produce organic food and significantly reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. There is limited information on how large the nitrogen reservoir of biodegradable household garbage is in a certain country or region. Here we took China as a case, analyzed the amount of biodegradable household garbage resources and their nitrogen reservoirs. It was noted that the biodegradable household garbage mainly included food waste, waste paper and wood chips, with the amount being 31.56, 29.55, and 6.45 × 10⁶ t·a^-1, respectively. Accordingly, the nitrogen reservoirs were 65.31 × 10⁴, 6.80 × 10⁴, and 3.81 × 10⁴ t·a^-1 in China. The nitrogen reservoir of food waste accounted for 86% of the total nitrogen reservoir of biodegradable household garbage, which was equivalent to 11% of the amount of actual absorption for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (6.20 × 10⁶ t·a^-1) by agriculture plants in China. Our findings provided a scientific basis for the classification and utilization of biodegradable household garbage.

Sustainable municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in the smart cities in Indian context

Purpose

Smart cities in India are going to be a reality very soon by turning challenges into opportunities for the society. However, due to rapid increase in population burden, fast urbanization and growing demand of advanced services in the smart cities, the quantity of per capita municipal solid waste (MSW) has escalated. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further challenged the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system with the increasing amount of infectious wastes coming from households (HHs), quarantine centers, healthcare facilities, vaccination centers, etc. Therefore, the present study attempts to explore and analyze the various dimensions of sustainable MSWM system in the smart cities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study identifies 13 factors of sustainable MSWM system from the literature, field surveys and stakeholders' opinions. Thereafter, stakeholders' opinions are collected and analyzed using total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach to explore the interrelationships among the factors of sustainable MSWM system. These relationships are further validated through the empirical investigation of the real-life case study of Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC), Odisha, India.

Findings

The TISM approach places all 13 factors into six levels in the hierarchical digraph depending upon the inputs received from the various stakeholders on their interrelationships. Study also validates the proposed TISM model by collecting the data of RMC, Odisha, on the development of MSWM system over the period of 2015–2021.

Practical implications

The study also highlights various implications for the other developing cities and stakeholders to set up the roadmap for developing the sustainable MSWM system. Study defines “IT platform” and “awareness among citizens” as the base of the sustainable MSWM system in any smart city.

Originality/value

The present study is the first of its kind to explore the interrelationships among the factors of sustainable MSWM system by using TISM approach. Moreover, the proposed TISM framework is further validated through the empirical journey of one of the smart cities in India.

Open waste burning contrary to other air pollution-related perceptions and practices in Pokhara, Nepal

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pokhara, Nepal between February 3 and 12, 2018 to determine whether air pollution-related perceptions led to a reduction in open burning of waste. Of the 394 people interviewed, 58.3% expressed their concerns about health risks due to air quality. Multiple logistic regression identified that perceived health risk (AOR, 5.70; 95% CI, 3.44-9.45) was a significant predictor of refraining from actions that increase air pollution. While 90.6% of people used trash lorry to dispose domestic waste, 40.6% treated domestic waste by open burning. Unexpectedly, a high level of perceived health risks (AOR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.02-2.91), a high rated contribution of open waste burning to air pollution (AOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.06-2.78), and frequent refraining from actions that increase air pollution (AOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.08-2.94) were significant predictors of frequent open waste burning. The results implied urgent need for improvement in waste collection efficiency and raising awareness of health risks of open waste burning.

Redesigning the Municipal Solid Waste Supply Chain Considering the Classified Collection and Disposal: A Case Study of Incinerable Waste in Beijing

The output of municipal solid waste is growing rapidly, which has brought tremendous pressure to urban development. The supply chain of municipal solid waste (MSW) in China mainly contains three processes: collection, transportation, and disposal. The waste is sorted at the collection and disposed of according to the classification. However, it is mixed at the transportation stage. Mixed transportation remixes the separately collected waste, which seriously affects the disposal effect. The supply chain of MSW urgently needs to be redesigned to improve the MSW disposal effect. First of all, on the ground of the waste treatment situation, we redesigned the supply chain of MSW in China. Secondly, combined with the redesign of the MSW supply chain, this paper established the function allocation model for collection stations, making a collection station only gather one type of waste, and built the transportation path planning model for vehicles, reducing the impact of waste storage on residents. Finally, based on the data of Xuanwu District in Beijing, the supply chain redesigning practical example of incinerable waste was given. The supply chain redesigning model in this paper not only makes full use of the existing infrastructure but also improves the disposal effect of waste. The supply chain redesigning model has practical application value.

Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices for Achieving Green Architecture Concepts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Solid waste is one of the social and environmental challenges that urban areas are facing. The study assesses the state of solid waste in Addis Ababa during 2016–2020 to provide implications for achieving green architecture concepts through better management of solid waste and its economic contribution. The study uses secondary and primary data. Quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed through descriptive statistics and context analysis, respectively. The result reveals that most solid waste is generated from households, followed by commercial centers, street sweeping, industries/factories, hotels, and hospitals, respectively. From 2016 to 2020, an average of 80.28% of solid waste is collected, whereas 19.72% of the waste is not collected. There are little or no efforts made to segregate solid waste at the source. The generated waste is disposed of in the Reppi open landfill. Together with Ethiopian electric power (EEP) and the City Government of Addis Ababa, waste has been converted to energy since 2019. The study suggests minimizing waste from its source by reducing generation, composting, reusing, recycling, waste-to-energy strategy, and well-designed buildings to achieve the concept of green architecture in Addis Ababa through better solid waste management.

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak and perceptions of people towards household waste management chain in Nepal

The spread of COVID-19 is posing significant challenges to the household (HH) waste management sectors putting waste personnel and concerned bodies under massive pressure. The chain of collection, segregation, recycling, and disposal of household generated wastes is interrupted. This study aimed to assess how the household waste management chain was disrupted by novel coronavirus in Nepal and find the perception of the people towards the existing household waste management system (HHWMS). A descriptive online survey was carried out among 512 people using a cross-sectional research design and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire method. Both descriptive, as well as inferential tests, were conducted using SPSS software. The finding of this study showed that 62.3% of respondents were not satisfied with the present HHWMS. Furthermore, there was a significant association of the satisfaction level of household waste management during coronavirus outbreak with gender, waste volume change in lockdown, PPE for waste collectors, and education on waste handling techniques provided by the government sector at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). Proper HH waste management has become a challenge, and to address this some innovative works such as awareness programs for people, health and hygiene related support to waste workers, and effective policy formulation and implementation should be done by the Government of Nepal.

Where is my reusable bag? Retailers' bag use before and after the plastic bag ban in Dharan Municipality of Nepal

Banning single-use plastic bags is a popular policy intervention among cities in developing countries such as Nepal. While the policy marks some success in curbing plastic bag usage, it confronts two major challenges. First, the effect of the ban often dilutes and becomes ineffective over time. Second, bag leakage could occur as customers switch to unregulated plastic bags and create more pollutants. Using three rounds of retailer-level panel data from the Dharan Municipality of Nepal, this study finds evidence to support both contentions. The usage of plastic bags slows down initially but rises subsequently as the subjective probability of being caught for using banned plastic bags reduces with time. One year after the ban, an increase in the expected fine does not increase the use of reusable bags but significantly reduces that of banned plastic bags. These results show that the ban does help reduce the total bag use in the short term but requires continued monitoring and enforcement to be effective in the long term.

Raising Awareness on Solid Waste Management through Formal Education for Sustainability: A Developing Countries Evidence Review

Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a multifaceted problem comprising political, socioeconomic, institutional, and environmental aspects. Due to exponential urban growth, it has become one of the most significant issues faced by urban spaces in developing countries. The gap in environmental knowledge among the youth and the old within developing countries contribute to ecological issues or waste management problems, resulting in unsustainable development, with important consequences in low-income countries. For that matter, a systematic review was conducted aiming to identify and analyse environmental knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practice studies on SWM from 2010 to 2019 in developing countries. The evidence suggests that students at both secondary and tertiary levels have positive environmental attitudes, and high awareness of environmental issues, but there is a lack of practical education of teachers to guide students to put SWM into practice. Student’s low environmental knowledge is related to a deficiency in teachers’ practical experience in SWM for environmental sustainability. A relationship between teachers’ and students’ knowledge and attitudes towards SWM, as well as differences in awareness, attitude, and practices of SWM linked with education and age, were also found. This review also revealed that the lack of environmental education in most developing countries is caused by fragilities in practical environmental curricula of teachers to respond to modern-day environmental issues for sustainable development and cleaner production (CP). To bridge the knowledge gap between the youth and older people in SWM, environmental sustainability education should be integrated into schools at all levels within developing countries.

Consumers’ Behavior in Selective Waste Collection: A Case Study Regarding the Determinants from Romania

The increase in consumerism due to population growth, excessive advertising and the constant encouragement of buying behavior by advertising media and opinion formers comes with side effects for the environment and public health if it is not properly supported by a sustainable selective waste collection process. In this context, the paper aims at determining the impact of different elements on people’s intention to participate in selective waste collection and on their behavior related to the collection process. Based on the literature, a series of variables were considered and a questionnaire was created in order to extract people’s opinions related to the selective waste collection process. As discrepancies in findings might appear due to culture in various countries, the analysis has been conducted with reference to Romania’s case. The waste collection situation in Romania is similar in some ways to other countries in the world, with some differences related to a small recycling rate compared to other countries in the European Union. In this context, it is important to identify the determinants of the consumers’ behavior in selective waste collection and to act based on these findings. Creating better policies that can support the selective waste collection process will have results in increasing the waste collection rate, offering a clear and safer environment to all the citizens.

Status of Household Solid Waste Management and Associated Factors in a Slum Community in Kampala, Uganda

Background

Only a third of the total waste generated in slum communities in Kampala is collected and disposed of to the landfill every month. This study assessed the status of household solid waste management and associated factors in a slum community in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study involving 395 households using a semistructured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Proper solid waste management was determined based on possession of waste collection and storage receptacle; collection receptacle ability to minimise nuisances (covered); segregation of waste; presence of flies and other vectors; and collection receptacle fill status. Prevalence rate ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were used as a measure of association.

Results

Only, 41.3% (163/395) of the households exhibited proper waste management practices. The majority of the households 85.8% (339/395) owned solid waste storage receptacles, most of which were sacs 61.7% (209/339) and would minimise nuisances 72.9% (245/339). The main type of waste collected was biodegradable materials 56.7% (224/395). The majority of the households 78.7% (311/395) did not segregate their waste. Solid waste was mainly transported to the collection point by pulling the collecting sac 54.4% (215/395). The city authority 73.9% (292/395) and private companies 12.9% (51/395) were the major entities collecting waste. Factors associated with proper waste management were collecting waste in plastic containers (adjusted PR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.04–1.55)), polythene bags (adjusted PR = 0.26, 95% CI (0.14–0.47)), and paper bags or metallic bins (adjusted PR = 0.13, 95% CI (0.03–0.44)) as well as awareness of solid waste management laws (adjusted PR = 1.49, 95% CI (1.20–1.85)) and the dangers of improper solid waste management (adjusted PR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.51–3.06)).

Conclusion

Solid waste management was generally poor. As such, a cascade of interventions that address knowledge, physical, and behavioural aspects of solid waste management is required to improve its management in slum communities.

Smart City Governance in Developing Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

Smart cities that make broad use of digital technologies have been touted as possible solutions for the population pressures faced by many cities in developing countries and may help meet the rising demand for services and infrastructure. Nevertheless, the high financial cost involved in infrastructure maintenance, the substantial size of the informal economies, and various governance challenges are curtailing government idealism regarding smart cities. This review examines the state of smart city development in developing countries, which includes understanding the conceptualisations, motivations, and unique drivers behind (and barriers to) smarty city development. A total of 56 studies were identified from a systematic literature review from an initial pool of 3928 social sciences literature identified from two academic databases. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis and thematic analysis. The review found that technology-enabled smart cities in developing countries can only be realised when concurrent socioeconomic, human, legal, and regulatory reforms are instituted. Governments need to step up their efforts to fulfil the basic infrastructure needs of citizens, raise more revenue, construct clear regulatory frameworks to mitigate the technological risks involved, develop human capital, ensure digital inclusivity, and promote environmental sustainability. A supportive ecosystem that encourages citizen participation, nurtures start-ups, and promotes public–private partnerships needs to be created to realise their smart city vision.