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December 2001
Solid waste management
IFSP initiatives in 2001 included intensive preparations for a solid waste management (SWM) project for a number of urban local authorities (ULA) and villages in the district of Trincomalee. In its facilitating role, IFSP teamed up with the UC, Trincomalee (UCT), Pradeshiya Sabhas of Town & Gravets, Kantale and Muthur as well as a number of village communities. The aim was to formulate strategies to improve SWM. The SWM concept focuses on (i) exploring the present way SWM is done and the shortcomings, (ii) formulation of balanced and sustainable SWM concepts and strategies, and (iii) formulation of preliminary proposals and implementation plans for priority projects.
As became evident in the preparatory mission in February 2001, many areas in Trincomalee district face public health and environmental hazards due to lack of proper solid waste management. The institutions responsible for SWM, including collection, transport and disposal, are the local authorities. They have been unable, however, to carry out SWM, maintaining acceptable standards in reducing the impact on (i) public health and (ii) the environment. The situation has been further compounded by (i) lack of basic infrastructure such as proper landfill sites and (ii) collective attitudes towards SWM as the sole responsibility of the UCT. The lack of public participation and civic responsibility in handling waste has resulted in high costs in the services provided by ULA, thus depleting their resources.
Several shortcomings in SWM in the areas of UC Trincomalee, TG and in Muthur and in the participating villages were examined in detail. One of the major health and environmental hazard is the present garbage dump at the Alles Garden dump site. The health and environmental concerns are the following:
- i. As it is located in a waterlogged area, the effluents from the waste such as leachate (a dark brown toxic liquid generated in the waste), methane and other gases mix not only with soil but with ground water causing serious contamination
- ii. Septic tank sludge dumped is mixing with soil and ground water causing environmental damage and posing threats to public health
- iii. Hazardous waste from the hospital and from the slaughter house is disposed together with household waste, causing serious threats not only to public health and the environment but also to staff handling waste
- Open dumping by Prima Flour Mills Ltd at China Bay can also be termed an environmental and health hazard.
- In Muthur, the SWM situation is exacerbated by an extremely high population density in the town area and lack of basic facilities. The Pradeshiya Sabha is only able to collect the waste in the town area and dump it in open heaps close to the town. Participation is almost non-existent. The present handling of waste causes a major public health and environmental threat.
- Kantale, is a less densely built up area and with only one market centre, (Kantale town), set in a large agricultural region. There are less urgent SWM concerns. The Pradeshiya Sabha hopes to make home composting and setting up a controlled landfill site.
- It was observed that the major health threats and issues in SWM in villages is caused by the lack of proper systems in managing human waste (sanitation) and by a high degree of unawareness. The overall public hygiene is poor.
- Having examined the present SWM situation, two workshops were held in Trincomalee with the participation of representatives of all main stakeholders. The purpose of the workshops was to set in motion a participatory process:
- i. explore and analyse the present SWM situation
- ii. jointly develop SWM concepts for respective localities
- iii. make the concepts work to achieve balanced and sustainable SWM
- iv. identify priority areas for improvements
- v. formulate project proposals for implementation.
- Project proposals for improving SWM in Trincomalee district are the following:
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