DYNAMICS OF MATERIAL FLOWS IN WASTE STREAM OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT CYCLE

Abstract

Waste is produced much more quickly than it is properly disposed of in emerging nations. In order to address the current problem, the informal sector plays a significant part. Unfortunately, there are no records of the informal sector in Pakistan. The contribution of the informal sector should be acknowledged in order to improve the SWM system. With this study, we hope to contribute in some little way to the previously indicated goal. In this study, the informal sector's contribution to MSW management is identified along with study area’s (Rawalpindi) actual per-capita MSW generating value, the physical composition of MSW and recyclables on generation, secondary collection, and final disposal sites. To that end, 30 households were selected based on socioeconomic conditions i.e. low, medium and high income groups. Sample collection was carried out for 8 consecutive days starting from Sunday, 26 February, 2022-Sunday, 6 March, 2022 and total of 494.68kg waste was collected, sorted into different fractions of MSW, weighed, and documented; Excel was used to conduct additional analysis; revealing the per capita waste generation of Rawalpindi to be 0.80kg/capita/day. Furthermore, stats were expanded to cover the entire population of Rawalpindi. Due to time and resource limitations, secondary data of MSW from secondary collection and final disposal sites was acquired from RWMC. The comparison of the three sites suggested that 520.66 tons of refuse is recovered daily by the informal sector overall, containing fractions of plastics (217.91 tons), paper and cardboard (146.85 tons), textiles (73.84 tone), glass (42 tons), leather and rubber (7.5 tons) and metal (32.56 tons). This is a significant quantity of recyclables, not to mention the monetary worth attached to it. By implementing this research’s approach at the national level, we can guarantee that the recyclables are under control, enabling the economy of the country to grow expeditiously.