Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Composition Analysis in Duwakot-2, Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Abstract

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) is emerging as an environment challenge in Nepal because of the rapid urbanization, population growth and transformation of consumption pattern. This study delineated the concept, composition, and present management of MSW in Duwakot-2, Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Household surveys, waste sampling and characterization, field observations and interviews with household, commercial establishments, institutions, health care facilities and municipal officials were used to collect primary data. The waste composition was analysed and compared to the national baseline set by Asian Development Bank (ADB 2013). It was revealed that the major constituent of the municipal solid waste was organic waste material which accounted for 64% of total amount of waste produced by municipality, followed by paper (15%) and plastic (9%). Household (64%), institutional (76%) and commercial (60%) waste streams were also dominated by organic waste, suggesting a significant potential to compost. The clinical waste had the highest level of paper, which comprised 53%, followed by plastic (26%), glass (13%) and rubber and leather (8%). The amount of biodegradable waste produced in the study area was higher than the amount produced in ADB (2013) while the number of recyclable materials produced were relatively lower than the amount produced in ADB (2013). While door to door waste collection is available, there is not a lot of practice regarding source segregation, which affects the effectiveness of recycling and composting. The study concludes that Municipal Solid Waste Management can be achieved through strengthening the source segregation, encouragement of composting, Municipal Solid Waste Management infrastructure development, and public awareness building. The results are useful to municipal authorities and policy makers for devising effective waste management strategies and enhancing the environmental quality and public health at Changunarayan Municipality.