Solid waste management in Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives; Most suitable solution for the Crisis

Abstract

This research is to find the most suitable, applicable and practical solution for the collection, transfer, transport and disposal of municipal solid waste in Hdh.Kulhudhuffushi of Republic of Maldives. This research was aimed to find the most suitable solid waste disposal method, along with the proper collection system, transfer and transport mechanism. The research covers waste generation sources as, households, businesses, restaurant and institutions. The annual maximum waste generation was from households, with 4,107 tonnes of waste per year. Average generation rate was 1.13 – 1.55kg per capita per day. The total waste generation rate was 5,643.89 tonnes per year. The highest portion of solid waste was kitchen/food waste with 2,181.93 tonnes per year. The total composition of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste was 68% and 32% respectively. Hence, method of composting was selected over incineration, due to the huge (98%) amount of moisture and low volatility of biodegradable waste. Since, the land ok Kulhudhuffushi dump site is smaller in size mechanical composting was preferred. The non-biodegradable waste would be stored in bunkers and transferred to the incineration plant quarterly each year. The collection facility would be separate collection with rear loading dump trucks as well as multi compartment dump trucks scheduled to collect waste twice a week. For the efficiency of the collection process the town was divided in to three zones with equal number of households, and thereby the collection crew can complete one round of collection within three days’ time.