WASTE is material that has been consumed and the valuable or usable portion removed, making it no longer desired. Household waste is defined as solid waste that comes from a private home or apartment, is made up of trash, and may contain hazardous or poisonous materials. It is also referred to as home waste or domestic garbage. Generally speaking, residential waste is the trash that each person produces. These are the undesired things that turn up in a home: old packaging, glass bottles, metal drink cans, plastic meal pots and abandoned goods like furniture, clothes, or toys. Glasses, paper, plastic, textiles and abandoned food are also included in household waste.
A key idea in the context of urban growth is sustainable waste management and environmental management. Sustainable waste management is based on three main pillars: reduce, reuse and recycle 鈥� reducing waste at the source, encouraging recycling and material reuse, and implementing environmentally friendly disposal techniques. A key component of sustainable urban development is the application of these 3R principles to waste management. By implementing sustainable waste management practices, such as recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy technologies, countries can significantly contribute to achieving the SDGs and move towards a more sustainable future.
Waste management is a critical aspect of environmental stewardship, where waste is not considered a burden but rather a valuable resource if managed effectively. This resource potential spans across various applications, including organic fertiliser production, energy generation and industrial material sourcing. The process of waste management encompasses a spectrum of activities, from initial collection to final disposal, incorporating transportation, treatment and regulatory oversight.
Global municipal solid waste production is expected to reach 3.5 billion tonnes by 2050. Food and green waste make up 44 per cent of waste, while recycling waste accounts for 38 per cent. Population growth, urbanisation and industrial expansion are the main reasons behind the increase in waste production. However, urban populations in developing countries are growing rapidly every day, and it is estimated that two-thirds of the world鈥檚 population will live in cities by 2025.
Global municipal solid waste production stood at approximately 2,010 million tonnes per year in 2016. Projections suggest that by 2050, this figure could surge to 3,400 million tonnes, indicating a substantial 70 per cent rise in municipal solid waste generation over 34 years. In this aspect, in Bangladesh, the per capita waste generation rate ranged from 0.325 to 0.485 kilogram per capita per day. Specifically, in Dhaka city, in 2019鈥�2020, per capita per day waste generation was found to be 0.72 kilogram, which was previously 0.65 kilogram and 0.575 kilogram in 2018鈥�2019 and 2017鈥�2018, respectively.
Globally, waste management has emerged as a paramount concern due to its direct impact on environmental quality. Household waste, originating from daily activities, represents a substantial fraction of the total waste stream and requires systematic management to mitigate environmental and health risks. Proper collection and transportation of household waste not only contributes to environmental cleanliness but also enhances community health standards by reducing disease transmission and environmental degradation.
One of the primary concerns is the mode of waste collection, where household waste is often gathered using open vans, contributing significantly to air pollution in Bangladesh. This practice not only compromises air quality but also poses health risks to residents, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Additionally, irregular and infrequent waste collection schedules lead to the accumulation of waste in residential areas, creating unsanitary conditions and emitting foul odours. Such conditions not only diminish the quality of life for residents but also contribute to the spread of diseases and environmental degradation.
Furthermore, the transportation of household waste from secondary transfer stations to landfills is fraught with challenges, further exacerbating environmental pollution. Open trucks are often used for this purpose, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere and leaving waste residues along transportation routes. Compounding this issue is the insufficient number of secondary transfer stations and their inadequate hygiene standards, prompting residents to resort to open dumping in unregulated areas, including open spaces and roadsides.
In the broader context of waste management expenditure, developing countries like Bangladesh allocate a substantial portion of their resources to collection and transportation activities. Despite this significant investment, the environmental impact of these practices remains under-explored, with limited research addressing the proliferation of vehicles involved in waste transportation.
Addressing the challenges of inadequate waste collection and transportation requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, there is a need for investment in infrastructure and technology to modernise waste collection and transportation systems. This includes the introduction of covered vehicles equipped with proper waste containment mechanisms to reduce air pollution and minimise health risks. Additionally, establishing more secondary transfer stations with improved hygiene standards can help streamline waste transportation processes and reduce the need for open dumping.
Moreover, public awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives are essential to foster a culture of responsible waste management. Educating residents about the importance of proper waste segregation, recycling, and composting can help reduce the overall volume of household waste and alleviate the strain on collection and transportation systems. Furthermore, incentivizing households and businesses to adopt sustainable waste management practices through tax breaks or subsidies can encourage greater participation and compliance.
Furthermore, regulatory frameworks must be strengthened to enforce stricter penalties for illegal dumping and incentivize compliance with waste management regulations. This includes imposing fines on individuals and businesses found guilty of improper waste disposal and implementing rigorous monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to deter future violations.
In conclusion, inadequate waste collection and transportation pose significant environmental and health risks, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from government authorities, the private sector and civil society to invest in infrastructure, technology and public awareness initiatives. By adopting a holistic approach to waste management, we can safeguard our environment, protect public health and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
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Imran Hossain is a lecturer in political science at Varendra University. He is also a columnist and researcher.