Trends and problems of solid waste management in developing countries: a case study in seven Palestinian districts
Issam A Al-Khatib1, Hassan A Arafat, Thabet Basheer
1Institute of Community and Public Health and Faculty of Engineering, Birzeit University, Ramallah, Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|January 17, 2007
Summary
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the West Bank faces challenges despite 98% collection coverage. Open burning is common, and low budgets hinder effective waste management solutions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Significant challenges exist in municipal solid waste (MSW) management within the Palestinian territory.
- Limited research has addressed the extent of these MSW problems and potential solutions.
- This study addresses the need for comprehensive assessment of MSW conditions in the northern West Bank.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current municipal solid waste (MSW) management conditions in seven districts of the northern West Bank.
- To compare MSW collection, budget allocation, and disposal practices across municipalities, village councils, and refugee camps.
- To identify institutional challenges in waste handling and disposal methods.
Main Methods:
- Field survey and data collection on MSW management elements.
- Comparative analysis of waste collection services, budget allocation, and disposal practices.
- Assessment of institutional challenges faced by local authorities in waste management.
Main Results:
- MSW collection services reach 98% of surveyed residents.
- Improper disposal, primarily open burning in dumpsites, is prevalent.
- Inefficient fee collection strains municipal budgets, impacting service delivery and labor.
- MSW management receives a low budgetary priority (2-8% of total municipal budgets).
Conclusions:
- Despite high collection rates, inadequate waste treatment and disposal methods pose environmental and health risks.
- Financial constraints and inefficient fee collection significantly impede effective MSW management.
- Urgent interventions are needed to improve waste treatment and disposal infrastructure and secure adequate funding.
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