Waste Disposal Issues That Are Likely to Be Found in a Developing Country

Waste disposal programs in the larger urban areas of developing countries are more likely to receive attention as cities beautify for tourism and outside economic investment. Smaller cities may suffer from a deficiency of funding, planning or qualified management of a sustainable program. Regardless of the location or city size, the lack of a viable program presents both environmental and health hazards to the local community.

Foreign Solutions

• Because of the high cost of waste management, many locations in developing countries rely on outside finances and support for waste disposal. According to Hisashi Ogawa, in the paper Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries, many collaborative waste projects are unsustainable once external agencies discontinue support. Waste disposal is costly and typically does not generate income. Also, external agencies initiate programs that work in their own country with little thought to local factors. Donated collection vehicles are often too large for the streets in some urban areas. Most importantly, simple programs that utilize human labor, though more appropriate for developing countries, are passed over for the expensive mechanized collection systems that provide desired results in more affluent countries.

Lack of Education

• A lack of basic and higher education in undeveloped countries is a major problem acknowledged by many individuals, including Ogawa. Once the trucks break down, there only are a lack of replacement parts, but also the educated labor for proper machinery repairs. Most smaller urban areas lack individuals qualified individuals to oversee the safe management of a waste disposal program. While educating local citizens to compost and its benefits to soil enrichment would reduce the bio-mass at dump sites, whether a composting program was operated on an individual or municipal level.

Landfill vs. Dump

• A landfill is planned, properly prepared and managed to prevent dangerous chemicals from leaching into ground water. David J. Kerkes, a geotechnical engineer, notes that a landfill requires about 2 feet of compacted clay beneath a carefully seamed waterproof and non-degradable liner. A landfill is designed to collect leachate, a hazardous liquid, and allow it to evaporate. Most waste disposal sites in developing countries are unplanned dumping grounds, which include hazardous waste including fecal matter. Methane and carbon monoxide gases are produced within dump sites, posing health and safety dangers to local residents. A landfill is better suited to include a plan for capturing the gases and converting methane into a fuel.

Garbage Pickers

• Unfortunately shanty-towns spring up around and on top of dump sites, as the impoverished glean materials to build shacks, sort salvageable items or recyclable materials to sell for income, and even search for food. Garbage pickers make waste collection difficult in urban areas as they sort through trash, often turning over collection containers and scattering what they cannot use. Municipal-level recycling programs are not financially viable for the poorest regions. However, a program that trains garbage pickers in safety and encourages the resale of reclaimable materials can solve some of the waste disposal issues found in a developing country.