Kazunobu Onogawa’s research while affiliated with Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and other places

This article presents field experience in developing local waste management plans called Kebijakan Strategi Daerah (Jakstrada) in the Lake Toba region, one of the popular tourist destinations in Indonesia. It examines the current waste management status and discusses key priorities and actions identified in the Jakstradas to improve the waste management based on resource management and 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) principles. In partnership with public, private, academic and citizen groups, the project activities supported the development of Jakstradas in all seven regencies and established a resource recovery centre (RRC) as a model to practice 3Rs in the region. The key lessons learned from these project activities are discussed and some practical recommendations are identified based on a literature review, interviews and workshops with local government officials and residents. Through those opportunities, it was found that remote regencies around Lake Toba do not have environmentally sound final disposal sites and do not have the financial or technical capacity to provide waste collection and handling services to residents, which often results in illegal dumping and open burning of waste. It was also revealed that lack of established markets for recycling value chains and citizens participation in waste separation at source had resulted in limited success for recycling and 3R activities in the region.

Source separation plays a pivotal role in sustainable and integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) and in achieving a circular economy in Asia. However, it is still not an official practice, and many cities continue to utilise open dumping, involving receiving mixed waste without pre-treatment. This paper, therefore, examines the advantages of source separation of MSW and explores the main factors for success in the planning and implementation of official source separation programmes in cities in Asia. Analysis of the results for two case studies in India and Japan could be used to strengthen capacities of policymakers in designing and implementing official source separation systems to facilitate material recovery and achieve sustainable development in Asia.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management, particularly the use of open dumps for final disposal has become a global issue. Worldwide, dumpsites are the third largest anthropogenic source of methane, accounting for 11 percent of estimated global methane emissions or 881 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The 50 largest dumpsites affect the daily lives of 64 million people, 17 million of whom live in Asia, and all dumpsites affect all 17 SDGs either directly or indirectly. Similarly, dumpsites have become a serious issue in Sri Lanka, which experienced the catastrophic collapse of one in Meethotamulla in 2017, causing 32 fatalities and the destruction of 87 houses. The lack of proper final disposal techniques has been the major bottleneck faced by many local authorities. A common grievance voiced by many local authorities is that insufficient land resources, technical support, and finances hinder the transition from open disposal to sanitary landfilling. However, it has been well recognized that open dumping practice can no longer be allowed to continue, and appropriate waste resources recovery and disposal strategies should be established at any cost. Thus, a simple guideline for dumpsite closure and rehabilitation is of paramount importance for local authorities which would help reduce pollution risks on the environment and public health at the local level and climate and SDG achievements at the global level. The term “dumpsite rehabilitation” in these guidelines refers to any work, including partial work carried out on a MSW dumpsite aimed at improving existing conditions to minimize the hazard risk caused by leachate contamination, gaseous emissions, waste burning, collapse due to instability, and all other associated socio-economic issues. Accordingly, these dumpsite rehabilitation guidelines aim to provide for or advise on: a) a risk assessment procedure to determine the level of pollution caused by a dump and its rehabilitation potential; b) implementable rehabilitation and closure plans; c) appropriate technical intervention to minimize leachate contamination, uncontrolled gaseous emissions, waste burning, and risk of dumpsite collapse; and d) an appropriate operation and maintenance procedure that ensures the sustainability of technical improvement measures. Chapter 1 emphasizes the need for rehabilitating existing open disposal sites to improve the health and environmental setting in the country and explains the scope and organization of the guideline. Chapter 2 discusses the distinction in the definition of the term dumpsite and landfill and introduces the engineered approach to landfilling. Chapter 3 elaborates on the dumpsite risk assessment procedure, based on the Source-Pathway-Receptor (S-P-R) conceptual model. It presents a sequential approach to risk assessment: the development of a conceptual site model identifying pollution sources, pollution migration pathways, and receptors of pollutants. The risk screening process introduced describes quantitative and qualitative assessment based on a risk screening process that can be executed by experts and trainers to develop a conclusion on the level of risk posed by the dumpsite. Chapter 4 is a brief guide to the planning requirements needed to fulfill the objectives of dumpsite rehabilitation, as well as general planning requirements. Chapter 5 elaborates on the technical planning requirements for a typical dumpsite rehabilitation project and discusses the aspects of technical requirements, potential areas for improvements, types of studies to be conducted, and potential sources of information and technical services. Chapter 6 presents a simple decision-making process based on risk assessment and planning objectives. The process involves the use of the guidelines to choose the appropriate level of dumpsite rehabilitation from five different levels of improvement based on the risk level assessed in chapter 2. The legal and regulatory requirements to be followed during the rehabilitation process are also covered. Chapter 7 describes the different levels of dumpsite closure and development and offers a guide to choosing the appropriate closure level based on regulatory requirements, technical feasibility, and level of risks. Chapter 8 describes the operation and maintenance requirements to be followed to achieve the objectives set forth during the planning process. It covers the maintenance of landfill cover systems, stormwater drain systems, leachate collection and treatment systems, and landfill gas management systems. Chapter 9 briefly describes the project development, design, construction, operation, and monitoring process of two rehabilitated dumpsites in Sri Lanka namely Moon Plains and Galapitayaya, Kataragama in Sri Lanka, and two dumpsite rehabilitation projects in India.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management, particularly final disposal as open dumps has become a global issue. Worldwide, dumpsites are the third largest anthropogenic source of methane, accounting for 11 percent of estimated global methane emissions or 881 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The 50 largest dumpsites affect the daily lives of 64 million people, 17 million of whom live in Asia, and all dumpsites affect all 17 SDGs either directly or indirectly. Similarly, dumpsites have become a serious issue in Sri Lanka, which experienced the catastrophic collapse of one in Meethotamulla in 2017, causing 32 fatalities and the destruction of 87 houses. The lack of proper final disposal techniques has been the major bottleneck faced by many local authorities. A common grievance voiced by many local authorities is that insufficient land resources, technical support, and finances hinder the transition from open disposal to sanitary landfilling. However, it has been well recognized that open dumping practice can no longer be allowed to continue, and appropriate waste resources recovery and disposal strategies should be established at any cost. Thus, a simple guideline for dumpsite closure and rehabilitation is of paramount importance for local authorities which would help reduce pollution risks on the environment and public health at the local level and climate and SDG achievements at the global level. The term “dumpsite rehabilitation” in these guidelines refers to any work, including partial work carried out on a MSW dumpsite aimed at improving existing conditions to minimize the hazard risk caused by leachate contamination, gaseous emissions, waste burning, collapse due to instability, and all other associated socio-economic issues. Accordingly, these dumpsite rehabilitation guidelines aim to provide for or advise on: a) a risk assessment procedure to determine the level of pollution caused by a dump and its rehabilitation potential; b) implementable rehabilitation and closure plans; c) appropriate technical intervention to minimize leachate contamination, uncontrolled gaseous emissions, waste burning, and risk of dumpsite collapse; and d) an appropriate operation and maintenance procedure that ensures the sustainability of technical improvement measures. Chapter 1 emphasizes the need for rehabilitating existing open disposal sites to improve the health and environmental setting in the country and explains the scope and organization of the guideline. Chapter 2 discusses the distinction in the definition of the term dumpsite and landfill and introduces the engineered approach to landfilling. Chapter 3 elaborates on the dumpsite risk assessment procedure, based on the Source-Pathway-Receptor (S-P-R) conceptual model. It presents a sequential approach to risk assessment: the development of a conceptual site model identifying pollution sources, pollution migration pathways, and receptors of pollutants. The risk screening process introduced describes quantitative and qualitative assessment based on a risk screening process that can be executed by experts and trainers to develop a conclusion on the level of risk posed by the dumpsite. Chapter 4 is a brief guide to the planning requirements needed to fulfill the objectives of dumpsite rehabilitation, as well as general planning requirements. Chapter 5 elaborates on the technical planning requirements for a typical dumpsite rehabilitation project and discusses the aspects of technical requirements, potential areas for improvements, types of studies to be conducted, and potential sources of information and technical services. Chapter 6 presents a simple decision-making process based on risk assessment and planning objectives. The process involves the use of the guidelines to choose the appropriate level of dumpsite rehabilitation from five different levels of improvement based on the risk level assessed in chapter 2. The legal and regulatory requirements to be followed during the rehabilitation process are also covered. Chapter 7 describes the different levels of dumpsite closure and development and offers a guide to choosing the appropriate closure level based on regulatory requirements, technical feasibility, and level of risks. Chapter 8 describes the operation and maintenance requirements to be followed to achieve the objectives set forth during the planning process. It covers the maintenance of landfill cover systems, stormwater drain systems, leachate collection and treatment systems, and landfill gas management systems. Chapter 9 briefly describes the project development, design, construction, operation, and monitoring process of two rehabilitated dumpsites in Sri Lanka namely Moon Plains and Galapitayaya, Kataragama in Sri Lanka, and two dumpsite rehabilitation projects in India.

This report is a Sinhala version (one of the local languages in Sri Lanka) of "Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan for Negombo City, Sri Lanka, 2020–2030" The Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan (WMSAP) for Negombo is the outcome of the committed team effort of city officials led by the Mayor and Commissioner of the Negombo City. The strategy also received inputs from committee members of Negombo Municipal Council (NMC) which comprised of Finance Committee, Health Committee, Industrial Committee, Sports and Youth Affairs and Communal Development Committee, and stakeholders from relevant ministries, institutions, private sectors, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, civil society organisations (CSOs), and some case study cities from Sri Lanka. WMSAP for Negombo was developed though a consultative process where the suggestions and ideas of all the above stakeholders were considered in drafting and refining the strategy to make it more practical and implementable. The support and guidance received by ministries and institutions namely Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources (MoE&WL), Central Environment Authority (CEA), Waste Management Authority-Western Province (WMA-WP), National Solid Waste Management Support Centre (NSWMSC), and Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development (MoMWD) throughout the strategy development process are highly acknowledged. WMSAP for Negombo is a visionary document which addresses the major challenges in the current waste management system in Negombo City and establishes a transition towards resource recycling, financially sustainable and environmentally sound waste management system in the city. WMSAP includes a comprehensive list of actions, goals, and implementation directives based on the city study and a series of workshops and meetings on strategy development. In addition, it also includes short-term, mid-term, and long-term targets to be achieved during the period of 2020–2022, 2023–2025, and 2026–2030 respectively.

This report is a Sinhala version (one of local languages in Sri Lanka) of "Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan for Negombo City, Sri Lanka, 2020–2030" The Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan (WMSAP) for Negombo is the outcome of committed team effort of city officials led by the Mayor and Commissioner of the Negombo City. The strategy also received inputs from committee members of Negombo Municipal Council (NMC) which comprised of Finance Committee, Health Committee, Industrial Committee, Sports and Youth Affairs and Communal Development Committee, and stakeholders from relevant ministries, institutions, private sectors, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, civil society organisations (CSOs), and some case study cities from Sri Lanka. WMSAP for Negombo was developed though a consultative process where the suggestions and ideas of all the above stakeholders were considered in drafting and refining the strategy to make it more practical and implementable. The support and guidance received by ministries and institutions namely Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources (MoE&WL), Central Environment Authority (CEA), Waste Management Authority-Western Province (WMA-WP), National Solid Waste Management Support Centre (NSWMSC) and Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development (MoMWD) throughout the strategy development process is highly acknowledged. WMSAP for Negombo is a visionary document which address the major challenges in the current waste management system in Negombo City and establish a transition towards resource recycling, financially sustainable and environmentally sound waste management system in the city. WMSAP includes a comprehensive list of actions, goals, and implementation directives based on the city study and a series of workshops and meetings on strategy development. In addition, it also includes short-term, mid-term, and long-term targets to be achieved during the period of 2020–2022, 2023–2025, and 2026–2030 respectively.

The Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan (WMSAP) for Negombo is the outcome of committed team effort of city officials led by the Mayor and Commissioner of the Negombo City. The strategy also received inputs from committee members of Negombo Municipal Council (NMC) which comprised of Finance Committee, Health Committee, Industrial Committee, Sports and Youth Affairs and Communal Development Committee, and stakeholders from relevant ministries, institutions, private sectors, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, civil society organisations (CSOs), and some case study cities from Sri Lanka. WMSAP for Negombo was developed though a consultative process where the suggestions and ideas of all the above stakeholders were considered in drafting and refining the strategy to make it more practical and implementable. The support and guidance received by ministries and institutions namely Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources (MoE&WL), Central Environment Authority (CEA), Waste Management Authority-Western Province (WMA-WP), National Solid Waste Management Support Centre (NSWMSC) and Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development (MoMWD) throughout the strategy development process is highly acknowledged. WMSAP for Negombo is a visionary document which address the major challenges in the current waste management system in Negombo City and establish a transition towards resource recycling, financially sustainable and environmentally sound waste management system in the city. WMSAP includes a comprehensive list of actions, goals and implementation directives based on the city study and series of workshops and meetings on strategy development. In addition, it also includes short-term, mid-term and long term targets to be achieved during the period of 2020–2022, 2023–2025 and 2026–2030 respectively.

Accumulation of plastic wastes in the marine eco-system is growing rapidly with the increase of plastic production and consumption patterns, particularly single-use plastics as well as unsustainable plastic waste management practices. Land-based sources are recognised as the main cause (up to 80% of total marine debris) of marine plastic pollution. Marine plastic pollution has thus become an issue of global focus and many national and local governments are searching for solutions to tackle it. Rapidly developing economies, including countries in Southeast and South Asia are contributors to marine plastic pollution due to the lack of plastic waste management policies, governance systems, resources, capacities and infrastructure to keep pace with urban growth and economic development in the respective countries. Many local governments lack sufficient plastic waste collection and environmentally sound treatment and disposal methods. Plastic waste recovery and recycling systems are also not well established and plastic recycling businesses are commonly operated by informal or small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Due to the lack of sustainable plastic waste management systems, littering, open burning and unmanaged disposal of plastic waste are common practices in low and middle-income countries and such practices have largely contributed to costs related to environmental pollution, public health and economy. Both regions have also being used as a dumping ground for plastic waste from other developed countries after China stopped in importing waste from foreign countries since 2017. Based on the literature review and action research in two selected Asian countries, Indonesia (Southeast Asia) and India (South Asia), this report identifies the urgency of addressing plastic waste within the overall waste management policies and systems of the respective countries or cities to reduce marine plastic pollution. It also proposes a list of strategies and policy interventions to consider in reducing plastic pollution from land-based pathways. These strategies are discussed along the plastic value chain in a holistic manner and presented under key policy interventions, such as regulatory, economic, technology, data/information and voluntary measures, identified for the short, medium and long-term.

Negombo City is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. It is the major commercial and transport centre, and main health service provider for the region. However, municipal solid waste management is a pressing concern for Negombo due to expanding urbanization, increasing income, lack of public awareness, changes in consumption patterns, and inadequate waste management such as insufficient proper waste collection and coverage, shortage of transporting vehicles and laborers, insufficient land for waste treatment facilities and landfill, lack of proper training given to technical staff with regard to maintaining information, records and statistics for planning and monitoring of the waste management activities, illegal burning or disposal of waste, as well as improper maintenance of existing waste management system or facilities. In response to a request for support from the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MoMDE) as well as strong interest from Negombo City, IGES Centre Collaborating with UN Environment on Environmental Technologies (CCET) has been providing technical assistance towards the development of a waste management strategy for Negombo since March 2018. Concurrently, a quick study was conducted on Negombo’s existing waste management systems and current practices including the waste flow, policies and regulations framework, in order to identify the gaps on waste management in the city. Negombo City still manages waste in the conventional way by collecting waste from the source and dumping it in a final disposal site with very little recovery or treatment. The only recycling facility in the city is located in Muhandirampitiya where recyclables such as cardboard,paper, polythene, plastic, glass, coconut shells and metal are separated from the non-degradable waste brought to the centre. It is observed that non-degradable waste collected at the centre consist of low-grade recyclables amounting to minimal recovery of recyclables of about 2.37±3.9 MT/month. The city also has a compost facility in Kurana with a capacity of 10 MT/day; however, the intake is limited to 6-8 MT/day as there have been public complaints and objections about the potential nuisance caused by flies and odor whenever Negombo Municipal Council (NMC) tries to increase the intake. Negombo experiences a bottleneck with regard to managing industrial waste due to the fact that small and medium-sized industries dispose of their industrial waste using the general MSW collection service carried out by Local Authorities. This is despite of the legal arrangement which states that industrial waste must not be disposed of into the general waste stream. Industrial waste generated in Negombo City is estimated to come to 6.33 MT/day. It is mandatory for all healthcare facilities to secure storage, transportation and disposal of all high-risk healthcare waste whereby generally all government and private sector healthcare facilities receive a service from the private sector to dispose of all high-risk healthcare waste. The total amount of waste generated from healthcare facilities is estimated to be 3.84 T/day out of which nearly half a tonne of waste is considered high risk waste that needs to be disposed of through private sector service providers. Hazardous waste generated from major industries is properly managed by those industries, but those from small waste generators such as households, commercial establishments and other services and institutes are not well regulated, and waste generally gets discharged into the MSW collection system in the form of non-degradable waste. It is estimated that NMC collects about 200 kg of hazardous waste per day, largely as mix components in general MSW. Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is managed by those that generate it. Usually, the metals, wood, plastic and stone that can be found in the C&D waste are recycled, but non-recyclables are generally used as land reclamation material as an alternative to soil. Toilets in households, public places and all other establishments are built with sufficiently large soakage pits and when the soakage pits gets filled, NMC provides sewage collection service ― this is a paid service. The collected sewage is treated in a sewage treatment plant adjunct to the compost facility. Wastewater from other sources is generally managed by generators. This study confirms that there are many challenges in current waste management in Negombo at all stages of the lifecycle due to a range of technical, social, economic and institutional constraints. In this regard, the issues/concerns and recommendations of this report should be considered during the development of waste management strategy and action plans for the city. The strategy and action plan would assist NMC in implementing activities based on short-term, mid-term and long-term plans as stated in the city strategy to overcome the current waste management problems. Moreover, the proper implementation of activities under a waste management strategy and action plans can help the city to achieve sustainable waste management. As Negombo is part of Western Province, the relevant organizations such as JICA, Waste Management Authority (Western Province) and others involved in the development of a master plan for waste management in Western Province will be consulted during the strategy development process to make sure that the developed strategy is in line with their future master plan for western province.