Case study on municipal solid waste management in Vavuniya township: practices, issues and viable management options

Economic development and population growth in Vavuniya (a strategically important city connecting the towns in the south, west, and the previously conflict ravaged areas in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka) has been anticipated since the cessation of an ethnic conflict in May 2009 with a concurrent increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. This paper describes the present problems and issues faced by Vavuniya township and discusses strategies to introduce, plan, and implement a source separation (SS) program as one option that could be economically and technically feasible. MSW has a high content of biodegradable matter (62–66 % by weight). Currently in Vavuniya SS does not take place, the availability of collection vehicles is insufficient, collection frequency by the Vavuniya Urban Council varies considerably among different areas, and open dumping is practiced at a remote site (Pampaimadu; about 14 km from Vavuniya Town) without disposal fees. Moreover, the existing composting projects have been abandoned. Introduction of SS programs along with regular monitoring is crucial (to enhance the recycling of recyclables and to promote composting of biodegradable wastes). Also the present collection system and the availability of collection vehicles should be improved, and that the abandoned composting projects should be revived, at least until the SS programs are successful.