Relation of waste generation and composition to socio-economic factors: a case study

Abstract

To develop an effective waste management strategy for a given region, it is important to know the amount of waste generated and the composition of the waste stream. Past research has shown that the amount of waste generated is proportional to the population and the average mean living standards or the average income of the people. In addition, other factors may affect the amount and composition of waste. These are climate, living habits, level of education, religious and cultural beliefs, and social and public attitudes. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in a suburban municipal area in Sri Lanka to determine the solid waste generation rate and waste composition based on field surveys and to determine the related socio-economic factors. A database was developed that included information on the quantity and composition of waste generated in a sample of households in the study area over a time period. The collected data was analysed to relate waste generation and composition data to various socio-economic factors. Over 400 sample households were selected for the study using a stratified random sampling methodology based on municipal wards and property values. A technique that considers both the number of households in a particular income group (property value range) and the standard deviation of property values within a given income group was used to determine the appropriate sample size for each municipal ward. Through category and regression analyses, the quantities of waste and waste composition were related to several socio-economic factors. The paper describes the basis for the sample selection, the methodology adopted for data collection, the socio-economic parameters used for the analysis, and the relationships developed from the analysis.

Household Waste Generating Factors and Composition Study for Effective Management in Gorkha Municipality of Nepal

“…Bandara, Hettiaratchi, Wirasinghe, and Pilapiiya (2007) in Sri Lanka revealed that number of employed people in HH contributed in increasing waste amount. In Turkey, Keser, Duzgun, and Aksoy (2012) measured unemployment rate as it signifies family's inability to generate higher income and found it to have significant negative impact on waste generation.…”

“…While it is apparent for more members of a HH to generate more waste, the phenomena of 'group living' and 'common consumption' can sometimes saturate the amount of waste being generated as number of generators increase (Gu et al, 2015;Ojeda-Benítez, Vega, & Marquez-Montenegro, 2008). Many studies have also supported HH size to have opposing effect on waste generation (Bandara et al, 2007;Irwan, Basri, & Watanabe, 2012;Kayode & Omole, 2011;Miezah et al, 2015;Ogwueleka, 2013;Qu et al, 2009). Large family are at an advantage when it comes to intensive utilization of materials such as food, paper and plastic, etc.…”

Análise global das características de frações de resíduos urbanos residenciais

“…O aumento da geração de resíduos orgânicos, plásticos e papéis também foi mencionado em Kansal (2002), que afirma que a geração de resíduos sólidos nos países em desenvolvimento aumenta constantemente ao longo dos anos; esse aumento, segundo Bandara et al (2007), Papa- =58,04%), e Outros aumenta. A comparação desses resultados com os da correlação de Pearson revela que na medida em que a geração de resíduo orgânico aumenta, a geração de resíduo metal diminui; e na medida em que a geração do resíduo vidro diminui, aumenta a geração do resí-duo outros, enquanto, ao mesmo tempo, a geração de resíduo borracha diminui.…”

“…Tal resultado aponta, com exceção da geração de resíduo orgânico, que diferentes regiões geram diferentes tipos de resíduos, pois utilizam diferentes tipos de materiais, podendo variar amplamente sua composição, o que corrobora o estudo de Emery et al (2004). Essa composição depende de diversas variáveis, como hábitos alimentares, tradições culturais, status socieconômico, nível de educação, crenças religiosas, atitudes sociais e públicas, e das condições climáticas (ENAYETULLAH; SINHA; KHAN, 2005;BANDARA et al, 2007).…”

“…Atualmente, para a gestão e o planejamento dos resíduos urbanos residenciais é necessária uma confiá-vel e precisa apuração das quantidades dos resíduos gerados e de sua composição (BANDARA et al, 2007;AGUILAR-VIRGEN et al, 2010;LI;FU;QU, 2011). O desenvolvimento de uma estratégia eficaz para gerir os resíduos necessita da informação sobre a quantidade de resíduos gerados (DYSON & CHANG, 2005;BANDA-RA et al, 2007).…”