| Author | Senevirathne, Delgollage |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-97-11 |
| Subject(s) | Refuse and refuse disposal--Sri Lanka--Colombo
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The increasing quantity of solid waste is a serious environmental problem in the city of
Colombo in general and in its low-income settlements in particular. The attitude of viewing
waste collection, disposal and recycling as a largely technical issue has been counterproductive
for waste management in the city of Colombo. Today, considerations, such as recognition of
the role of community and the informal sector and their incorporation in the decision making
process by using participatory mechanism as a development tool are influencing solid waste
management. This is the paradigm shift in views and policies related to innovative waste
management option for the future.
At the above backdrop, this study focussed on some of the persisting dilemmas that arise with
the changing approaches to waste management. This is illustrated by investigating solid waste
management in a Colombo low-income community, where they have managed to overcome
the problem of collection and disposal of waste with the involvement of one of the well-known
NGOs in Sri Lanka. The methodology of the study involved collection of data and information
through field surveys, interviews and round table discussions with the key stakeholders. The
results of the findings are used to make the case that community based solid waste
management system at local level have to be strengthened by formulating new policies. These
policies should lead to increasing acceptance of the role of the community and the informal
sector in management of solid wastes on their own with close cooperation with Colombo
Municipal Council (CMC)
The CMC's role at the local community level (low-income settlement) on waste management
has to be changed from provider to facilitator, and promoter to supporter. A step towards this
is to provide this basic urban service by involving the community as a key deciding factor of
waste management. In addition to that the involvement of the informal sector, the private
sector and NGOs are more important for the mobilization of various existing resources and
services; With these ideas and the backup of the study's findings, a waste management system
at the community level is proposed involving all stakeholders. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Amin, A.T.M. Nurul; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Zimmermann, Willi; Lefebvre, Bernard G. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Regional Urban Development Office/United States;Agency for International Development, New Delhi, India;Canadian International Development Agency;Canadian Universities' Consortium; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |