Solid Waste Management in Asian Developing Countries: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

In developing countries the rapid population, industrialization, urbanization and growth of economic contribute to increasing solid waste (SW) generation. This paper reviews the existing management of SW and the current problem of collection, transportation and disposal processes in Asian developing countries. We provide alternative solutions. SW generation is between 0.4-1.62 kg/capita/day; the composition of biodegradable organic waste in is range of 42 to 80.2%. The trend of plastic waste continues to increase. The common problems are: no separation at source, complicated collection processes, open dumped landfill, and no control of gas emissions and leachate in landfill. Classification of developing countries was based on World Bank criteria. This paper were reviewing the existing condition and current problems of solid waste management (SWM) in Asian developing countries, and finding out the alternative solutions to reduce the waste generation. Solid waste management (SWM) was assessed by mean of technical and social approaches. It was found that SWM was country specific, and decentralization is the most appropriate management approach.