Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background: The paper is based on a study aimed at arriving a more rational method to estimate quantity of solid waste generated type-wise, replacing the per capita based system practiced at present. Methods: It tries to understand how ‘residential land use and associated activities’ based specific key generator parameters of solid waste in a small/medium scale urban area influence quantity of waste generated. Criticality of residential landuse and related generators are identified through a Delphi/AHP based expert survey. Their relationship to waste generation is established using a field survey conducted in 2 select wards of three cities in South India. A statistically relevant sample size of 150 households/ ward was surveyed. Results: The results show that when solid waste estimation based on land use parameters is attempted for residential land use not only factors like household size, income and food habits matter but also factors like housing typology, educational back ground, household size, existing systems in place for waste management etc have a decisive role to play in waste generation. Results of the Delphi/AHP process showing landuse criticality and weightage of the relevant parameters of residential landuse are first presented. Then, the paper discusses the field survey findings linking the stated parameters to the type and quantities of waste produced in the surveyed cities. In conclusion, the paper briefly outlines a system that can be developed to estimate solid waste generation at a suitable level (like ward) incorporating the parameters listed. Application: At the application level, such a system will have superior quantitative and qualitative precision of waste estimation and thus can help better in waste management, capacity building and mitigation measures as the case may be.

Keywords: Generators, Landuse, Solidwaste Estimation, Sustainable Urban Areas