A Novel Introduction of Municipal Solid Waste Management

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J Environ Sci Public Health 2019; 3 [2]: 147-157 147
Journal of Environmental Science and Public Health
doi: 10.26502/jesph.96120055
Volume 3, Issue 2 Review Article
A Novel Introduction of Municipal Solid Waste Management
Sylvia Adipah1*, Ofotsu Nana Kwame2
1Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
*Corresponding Author: Sylvia Adipah, Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Chongqing
University, Chongqing 400044, China, E-mail: fransil351@yahoo.com
Received: 21 December 2018; Accepted: 20 March 2019; Published: 02 April 2019
Abstract
Managing solid waste is problem facing worldwide. In developing counties rapid increase of solid waste is produced
as a result of rapid population increases, urbanization, rapid industrialization and economic sustainability. The
challenges in urban areas are diverse and enormous in a global point of view, but looking at the developing
countries, particularly in the cities, an inadequate waste collection and its inefficient management systems are the
causes of serious urban pollution and risks to public health and environment, affecting the population, expressly the
poor ones [1]. The research process will focus on sustainable development and integrated solid waste management
theories.
Keywords: Municipal solid waste management; Sustainable development; Pollution
1. Introduction
1.1 Overview
Waste is a complex mixture of different substances that are discarded by household, individual or organizations that
are harmful to the environments and health [2]. Waste management consists of collection, processing, transport and
disposal of solid waste. Rapid populations cause increases of municipal solid waste in developing countries,
economy, urbanization and high-level living standards of an individual or community [3]. Municipal authorities are
responsible for waste management in the municipalities; they implement measures to ensure an effective and
efficient way to manage solid waste, facing challenges that are beyond them to tackle [4]. Currently, the world

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generates around 3.5 million tons of waste per day or 1.3 billion tons per year among which 54.02% come from
developing countries [5]. The more wastes created, the more area is required for disposal. This problem in turn
affects the environment and the health of ecosystems and biodiversity.
1.2 Municipal solid waste management in some countries of the world
Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has been undertaken with many drivers worldwide over the years. The
principal objectives of MSWM were gradually developed to protect environmental issues, health safety, and
resource conservation [6]. Challenges of MSWM as a result rapid generation of waste due to population growth,
lifestyles of people, development and consumption of less biodegradable products. Distinct differences have been
identified in literature between MSWM in developed and developing countries. In most developed countries, public
health is no more a major driver of waste management; the current focus is on optimization of waste management
practices with a broader goal of resource conservation [6, 7]. In developed or developing countries waste
management have its challenges, as developing countries waste management will be achieve focusing on economic,
population growth and environmental issues. This is important owing to the fact that the more the environment is
degraded in a particular region, the greater the effort that will be required to restore its quality [8].
Waste management in Europe is highly diverse. Main disposal technologies and recycling and recovery rates are
different. France, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden traditionally rely on
incineration for waste management. UK, Portugal, Spain and Greece landfill nearly all their MSW. Most newcomers
in the EU also landfill their MSW. In the Central and Eastern European Countries however, the amount and the kind
of MSW collected are different because of their different economic situation. Growing economy has led to rapid
population growth with a corresponding increase in solid waste generation. Latin American generates about 369,000
tons a day of municipal solid waste, 56 percent of it in large urban centres, 21 percent in medium-size ones, and 23
percent in small ones. The total per capita rate of waste generation is about 0.8 kg/p, though it can exceed 2.4 kg/p
during peak tourism seasons in some municipalities [9].
As for developing countries the main similar pattern related to the MSWM refers to ineffective planning, technical
no how, lack of scientific research and improper management system. Moreover, there are cases of insufficient
public and private funds and corrupt public sanitation management systems. There also exist groups, many of whom
live at the disposal sites, who make their daily living by separating and selling the solid wastes and who frequently
consume those wastes as part of their diet [10]. In Africa, only 31% of solid waste is collected in urban areas and
due to an inadequate urban infrastructure, large part of the wastes are not treated, collected and disposed
appropriately. In Accra, for example, although there is a system for collecting waste in predetermined locations, in
most residential areas the collection is done irregularly which causes the overflowing of illegal landfills. The
average waste generation rate in Abuja is 0.55-0.58 kg per person per day. Illegal disposal is also common in Abuja.
Piles of solid wastes are often found along roads, underneath bridges, in culverts and drainage channels and in other
open spaces [11]. It is clear that there is a great gap between developed and developing countries in the MSWM

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standards, but differences among developing countries also exist. MSWM systems in different developing countries
can vary substantially and in some cases are virtually non-existent [12].
2. Literature Review of Solid Waste Management
2.1 Concepts in waste management
Much has been written about the waste problem yet the definition of the term waste is quite rare in the scholarly
literature on the topic. According to Gilpin waste is an unwanted and economically unusable by products or
residuals at any given place and time, and any discarded materials into the environment” [13]. Davies also describes
wastes as: “unwanted or unusable materials from industry and agriculture, businesses and other households items
and can be liquid, solid or gaseous in nature, and hazardous or non-hazardous [14]. The attribute of waste can be
compared with the concept of ‘resource’, which has also been defined as material that has use-value, and “a
reflection of human appraisal” [15]. Jessen also noted “our waste stream is actually full of resources going in the
wrong direction” [16].
2.2 The classification of waste
Waste can be classified into categories, thus sources, material composition and the level of risk associated with
waste substances that is associated with appropriate waste management practice. Classifying waste is essential to aid
in waste management planning, it helps municipal authorities to organize waste management operation such as
collection, and waste disposal methods. Over the years waste management have been improved in developed
countries [17].
2.3 The goals of waste management
In 1976, the United States Congress implemented a law regarding the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA), which authorized the EPA to regulate waste management and disposal practices. The goals of waste
management that were set by the RCRA included
1. Preventing hazardous waste disposal against human health and the environment
2. Using recycling and recovery to protect energy and natural resources
3. Creating zero waste solid waste management
4. Environmental management of solid waste [18].
To achieve the goals of municipal solid waste management, it is necessary to establish sustainable systems of solid
waste management, which will meet the needs of the entire urban population including the poor and by preventing
the pollution of the natural environment and its resources such as land, water, and air as well as the aesthetic
environment.

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2.4 The principles of waste management
The principles of waste management are to minimize waste generation, maximize waste recycling and reuse to
ensure environmental sustainability. Cointreau created measures to developed sustainable and integrated solid waste
management programme.
1. Supportive of good governance.
2. Provide economic service delivery.
3. Long-term financial sustainability.
4. Conserve natural resources.
5. Embrace public participation.
6. Foster environmentally appropriate technologies and sites.
7. Seek appropriate levels of source segregation, recycling and resource recovery.
8. Conduct strategic facility planning and development.
9. Build institutional capacity.
10. Invite private sector involvement [19].
3. Integrated Waste Management and the Waste Hierarchy
Waste prevention and reduction are placed at the top to show that the best way to deal with waste is to prevent its
production and, where this is not possible, to produce less of it. At the other extreme, disposal is placed at the
bottom to show that it should be the last resort among the strategies for waste management. In spite of efforts by
municipal authorities to improve waste management, most countries in the world still resort to strategies at the
bottom of the waste hierarchy. Other instruments that encourage good practice in waste management are the
proximity principle (PP) and the best practicable environmental option (BPEO). The proximity principles call for the
disposal of waste as close to its source as possible. Among other advantages, this practice reduces the time, energy
and expenses involved in the transportation of waste to disposal sites, and also minimize the possibility of accidents
associated with the transportation of waste. With regard to the BPEO, it encourages the use of waste management
strategies that achieve the most benefits in terms of cost, energy and time, and that also cause the least damage to the
environment.
Figure 1: The Waste Hierarchy.

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3.1 Sustainable waste management
To ensure the protection of human health, environment and scarcity of resources of the earth, sustainable waste
management must be regarded as an approach to waste management for future generation. It therefore becomes
important to minimize natural resource extraction and consumption by recycling waste materials, and conduct waste
management efficiently to curtail the environmental impacts of waste disposal [20]. The waste hierarchy is best way
to achieve sustainable waste management to reduce the amounts of waste produce. Reuse and recycling as a
sustainable approach must be encouraged. Finally, where waste prevention/reduction, re-use and recycling are
economically impossible, waste is processed to recover their intrinsic values such as energy. Sustainable waste
management also seeks to increase co-ordination between the producers of goods, retailers, manufacturers and the
concerns of the public, governments or local authorities with waste management [21]. Moreover, recent proposals
for improving waste management in many rich countries called for more incineration rather than recycling [22]
which are just one step up from land filling at the bottom of the waste hierarchy.
Figure 2: Solid Waste Management and Organization.
4. The Urban Solid Waste Problem in Developing Countries
4.1 The nature of the problem
In developing countries where solid waste management is still an emerging issue, UNEP researchers focuses on
matters regarding MSWM and its effect on human health and the environment. In these developing countries they
are battling with other arising matter like hunger, health problems, water shortages, unemployment and civil war,
therefore understanding the reasons of waste problems have to grow steadily [23]. In developing countries solid
waste management have become an issue of concern to health risk due to uncontrolled landfills causing
contamination to drinking water and soil. To improve the system of waste management there should be legal
framework guiding it, collection and disposal are one main key principle. Infrastructure and detailed of waste data
must be put in place.
Pointed out way forward strategies are: 1) Foster effective cooperation, information sharing and knowledge transfer
between the public and private sectors; 2) Develop facilities, support services and enforcement capabilities

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simultaneously with the necessary legislation and regulations; and 3) Build up of controlled landfills (a high priority
in these countries). “Polluter pays” concept must be implemented by introducing cost recovery systems.
In addition, is believed that much can be achieved by small-scale improvements in the existing systems, and also the
need to build strong relations among developing countries to encourage solid waste management [24]. Buenrostro
and Bocco, looked at the causes and implications which determine some solid wastes (SW) patterns in developing
countries using Mexico as a study case-specifically it is an analysis of the current state of SW production and the
goals and perspectives regarding the social, economical, technical and environmental implications for Mexico.
Similarities among SW composition, it is also a common feature in developing countries. Developing societies
acknowledge the importance of modernize the existent SW management system by implementing solid waste reuse
and recycle programs, as well as, adopt suitable treatment systems to counteract environmental problems.
A review of China´s overall situation of MSWM and several ideas for improvement can be found in Zhang, Tan and
Gersberg, work. Chinese population has increased over the past two decades and its economy has developed
tremendously with respect to recycling of solid waste, technologies and developmental strategies. Landfilling is the
predominant method of disposal of MSW at the present. Although most of waste generated in China is landfilled, in
some cities, the landfills quite resemble open dumps, which unfortunately can be detrimental to the urban
environment and allowing landfill leachate treatment practice. Improving MSWM in China can be achieved by
various financial mechanisms. In the future, all stakeholders should be encouraged to participate in the decision-
making process concerning MSWM. Currently, there is no limitation on the amount of residential solid waste
generated, and the convenience of waste disposal is responsible for more solid waste generation.
4.2 Causes of the solid waste problem in developing countries
Factors that mitigates solid waste management as a successful tool are
1. Inappropriate technologies/processes.
2. Enforcement inefficiencies/non-existent; illegal dumping.
3. Lack of financing.
4. Lack of training/human resource.
5. Lack of political support.
6. Lack of legislation.
7. Policy conflict among levels of government/overlapping responsibilities.
8. Rapid increase in waste generation/limited data.
9. Lack of awareness among public.
10. Limited land areas; land tenure issues [25].

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5. Theoretical Framework of Solid Waste Management
It is becoming widely recognized that an integrated approach to waste management leads to the sustainability of the
solid waste management system.
5.1 MSWM authorities
MSWM authorities are the stakeholders or people or organizations that may have an interest in adequate waste
management. The major missions of MSWM authorities are to create a proper legislation, adequate policies and
strong regulation, put and support strategic plans (encouragement, monitoring and implementation); to get efficiency
and adequacy management Procedures, the need to gather accurate data on such topics as the quantities and types of
waste being generated in the cities and massive investment in equipment and logistics for waste management
operations is also part of the authority’s responsibilities, as well as responsible to Build up a system in which the
communication and information flow among all system stakeholders efficiently work, especially for the major MSW
generators, by massive publicizing the existent rules and guidelines to be followed and creating more interaction
opportunities between the authorities, generators and other major stakeholders.
5.2 MSW stream, infrastructures and processes
A MSWM system must be supplied with infrastructures and equipment, quantitatively and qualitatively, and
Improvements to technical systems are required at the levels of collection (container and vehicle specification,
vehicle routing, vehicle maintenance), transfer (primary to secondary transfer points, large transfer stations),
recovery (composting, sorting facilities and organisation) and final disposal (sanitary landfills, energy recovery from
landfill gas), as well as try to find local solutions and enhance and strengthen the Cooperation with private sector.
The waste generators must be participating in the decision making process in terms of infrastructures, equipment and
applied technologies for waste management, so that they can make full and better use of these resources.
5.3 Waste generators-household generators
Waste generators largely influence the way MSWM system is designed; their behaviour and willingness may guide
management decisions including, for example, refuse fee establishment, waste reduction, separation and waste
recycling policies. In addition, generators behaviour depends on their awareness and participation level concerning
MSWM matters. Furthermore, the existence of a good and well-built relationship between waste generators, the
MSWM authorities and service providers is a success indicator when it comes to analyse the performance of a
MSWM system.
5.4 Methods of data generation
5.4.1 Document review: The analysis of documents is yet important source of data for science research. Documents
are a good place to search for answers and they provide a useful check on primary information gathered through
interviews and questionnaires. Furthermore, documentary sources can provide a convincing answer when other
techniques fail to resolve a question. Part of the information for this study was obtained from both the traditional

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documentary sources like reports and newspaper articles as well as from electronic media sources including
television and radio programmes.
5.4.2 Interviews: Interviewing is a useful way of collecting qualitative data because the technique is ‘introspective’
and allows respondents to report on themselves, their views, their beliefs, practices, interactions and concerns [26].
The interview technique is associated with a number of advantages over questionnaires Interview creates the
opportunity for interviewers to ask for clarification when they do not understand a question just as the interviewer
can ask for elaborations on answers given by interviewees. Furthermore, there is the guarantee that all questions
would be answered or, at least, attempted by the interviewee which ensures a high response rate.
Moreover, it becomes possible to check on the reliability of a response by asking the same question differently and
at different stages of the interview [26]. The interview technique used to obtain data from a number of stakeholder
include:
1. Officials of the municipal waste departments
2. Private waste companies and informal waste collectors
3. Residents of communities residing around waste disposal facilities.
5.4.3 Public questionnaires in Accra, Ghana: The questionnaire is one of the most widely used instruments for
collecting data in survey research. The survey questionnaire also enables one to collect standardised information in
respect of the same variables for everyone in the sample selected [27]. This makes the questionnaire an
indispensable tool in gathering primary data about people, their behaviour, attitudes, opinions and awareness of
specific issues. Questionnaire for household survey covers issues concerning waste generation and disposal
practices, availability and type of waste management services, payments for waste management services, and
householders’ perceptions about the waste situations in their communities and how the situation could be improved
[28-35].
6. Discussion
Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) it is an answer to address solid waste management issues, since all
aspects of a solid waste management system-technical and non-technical are analysed together in order to provide
waste management practices as environmentally sound as possible. In addition, a flexible policy tool that is a
foundation ISWM-waste management hierarchy-supply the ranks for waste management options in order of
sustainability, from the most preferred option to the least ideal option (waste generation, treatment, and disposal),
taking carefully in account financial, social, and environmental considerations. Developing countries still have a
long way to go concerning MSWM matters, as economic and social constraints figure as the main reason for the low
priority given to their MSWM systems. Address the current situation requires a phased intervention in the technical
and legal framework with the aim to improve the system in a continuous way [36-40]. Furthermore, it is important to
consider the significance of inner cooperation among developing countries, to exchange experiences and

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information to upgrade their systems [41-48].
7. Conclusions
From the literature review, it is possible to enumerate the main points guiding this study work. Nowadays societies
long for sustainability, and sustainable development it is a well recognised approach to achieve this goal, because
the ultimate objective is to provide well being for the present and future generations. Sustainable development
contribution to the management of municipal solid waste it is a combination of the cities’ needs and the aspects
including waste reduction, recovery and proper treatment; waste management authorities work performance and
financial sustainability; and public acceptance concerning the waste managing practices.
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Citation: Sylvia Adipah, Ofotsu Nana Kwame. A Novel Introduction of Municipal Solid Waste
Management. Journal of Environmental Science and Public Health 3 (2019): 147-157.