Development of an interactive solid waste information platform for the local authorities of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

Earlier attempts to improve solid waste management (SWM) have failed because information on SWM is not disclosed, and local authorities (LAs) continue open dumping. Therefore, the focus of the study is to develop an evidenced based informative and interactive data site (EBIIDs), a website for the Vavuniya district on SWM. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the present status and the plans with well-defined requirements of the local authority (LA) officials. It revealed that the total mixed solid waste generation is 75 tons/day, and only 14 tons/day is collected, thus having average collection efficacy of 15%. The variations in collection efficacy are from 0 to 43%. Vavuniya Urban Council has resumed composting by processing 45% of collected waste, and only 0.1% of non-biodegradables are recycled. It is an ongoing process to gather missing data and information to promote and implement 3R. The website is functioning as a compulsive disclosure of information on SWM. Outcomes include developing the website, uploading technical reports, tabulations of data, and issues and recommendations concerning all aspects of SWM. Next is to develop strategic plans for the district and LAs. The plans will be partially influenced by the feedback from the stakeholders using EBIIDs.