A Survey of Municipal Solid Waste Generation in 22 Regions of Tehran With Solid Waste Reduction Approach

Introduction: Solid waste reduction is a key and fundamental factor in creating a sustainable society. Tehran Municipality has embarked on a series of positive measures in recent years in different areas of waste management such as source separation, mechanized waste collection, and constructing compost factories. However these measures have not only brought about any reduction in solid waste reduction but have also resulted in their increase. In this article, first we will describe the current situation of waste management in Tehran. Then since having an understanding of the type and amount of the generated solid waste is important in defining strategies and programs aiming at reduction of waste generation, we manage to have evaluation of the current situation of municipal waste generation in 22 regions of Tehran. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional one conducted from 2010 to 2014. Relevant officials of the waste recovery in 22 regions of Tehran were approached in order to collect data about municipal solid waste generation through interviewing, filling out questionnaires, conducting field visits from Aradkooh Disposal and Processing Complex and collecting information on disposal and destiny of wastes. Then the data were compiled and analyzed. Results: Total solid waste generation in Tehran from 2010 to 2014 amounted to respectively 3389662, 3399344, 3449338 and 3245157 Metric Tons, categorized into three groups of municipal, companies and townships and hospital wastes. Most of the generated waste produced in Tehran was that of households and commercial (known as municipal waste) from 22 Regions of Tehran. Based on the surveys conducted, per capita solid waste generation of 11 regions of Tehran ranged from 550 to 1000 grams and in other 11 ones from 1000 to 1521 grams per capita per day. The lowest and highest waste generation rate belonged respectively to region 13 with 556 grams and region 12 with 1521 grams per capita per day in 2011. Conclusion: Comparing per capita generation of municipal solid waste in different municipal regions in Tehran with maximum acceptable capacity of waste generation indicates the deviation of waste generation of all Tehran regions from the standard acceptable amount. Therefore, not only is it necessary to plan and take strategic measures to reduce Tehran waste generation but also these programs and measures should be specific to each region considering its specifications and solid waste quality and quantity

Rural Solid Waste Management

The province of Bushehr is located in southern area of Iran and north of Persian Gulf. Solid waste management in Bushehr s villages was the aim of this research. For the sake of this study, 21 villages scattered all over the province were selected. Field studies showed that about 646 grams of residential solid waste per capita is generated in selected villages every day. There are 322 shops in chosen villages and total amount of commercial waste is about 3565 kilograms per day. The average amount of medical waste is about 7.8 kilograms per hygienic unit. Waste Composition in selected villages is: putrescible materials: 42.49%, construction and demolition: 11.7%, paper and cardboard: 8.77%, plastics: 8.24%, wood: 6.90%, metal: 6.08%, glass: 5.89%, rubber and leather: 5.1% and textile: 4.83%. According to this study, the main obstacle to recycling program is the unbiased collection of waste in rural area. It is recommended that for the first five year program, source separation includes degradable matter and dry wastes (paper, plastics and metals). Source separation of other components such as wood, rubber, glass and textile can be carried out in the second five year program. From the economical point of view, incineration with energy recovery can not be a good alternative for rural waste disposal in Bushehr province. Due to the low volume of degradable matter, land availabilitywith low cost and easy accesstolabor force in rural areas, low costtechnology composting is recommended. The quantity of waste generated in each village is not sufficient to be managed separately, thus a regional solid waste management must be defined to include adjacent villages