Evaluation of the Progress of Pilisaru Solid Waste Management Project in Kegalle Urban Council

Abstract

This paper evaluate the outcomes of Solid Waste Management Project (SWMP) in Kegalle Urban Council (UC) which has established by Pilisaru National Solid Waste Management Programme of Sri Lanka. The project has six objectives which are designed to maximize the efficiency of solid waste management in Kegalle UC. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the current progress and the process of SWMP of Kegalle UC, and to identify existing problems and issues of the project. The estimated quantity of Municipal Solid Waste generated in Sri Lanka is estimated as 6,400 tons per day. The urban population across Sri Lanka has been increasing and 20 percent of total population of Sri Lanka live in cities. Number of industries and agriculture firms has increased rapidly to fulfil needs of people increasing with the urban population growth. High number of industries and residents are disposing large amount of waste to the environment in urban areas. Different types of waste could be identified which resulting from different industries and residential areas. They are mainly categorized as degradable and nondurable solid waste. Pilisaru project mainly focus the degradable waste for producing compost. The results of the study reveals that the first and the third objective of the project, increase the efficiency of solid waste collection, and recycling the solid waste, are satisfactorily achieved. The other four objectives, reducing waste generation, increasing compost usage, promoting carbonic agriculture, and producing new job opportunities, has not been satisfactorily achieved. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, field observations and key informant discussions. It has been selected 50 housing units and business places for sample survey to collect the primary data farmers has been selected for sample survey and 06 focused group discussions and key informant discussions were conducted to collect the qualitative data. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyse techniques were applied.