a case study of municipal solid waste management in the ... - lumes

Page 14In addition, garbage containers are continually scavenged by waste-pickers lookingfor recyclable. IIOnically, because of the activities of these individual collectors andwaste-pickers,China could be considered as having a relatively high rate of recyc1ing.5.3 Collection and Transportation SystemsThe adequate waste collection systems are provided with of daily waste collection anddaily street sweeping for citizens. The most common municipal solid waste collectionsystems are central dIOr-off spots in each neighborhood, located on the edge of thestreet. Most of the collection containers in China are not covered, and due to the highfood waste content, they are emit unpleasant odors and attract flies. All systemcomponents inc1udingbicyc1e carts, trucks and buildings are generally owned by themunicipality. There are very few large-scale transfer stations in China. Several citiesare planning to construct such facilities. (SEPA, 1998).5.4 Public and Governmental AttitudesTo establish cultural and sanitary cities as a Chinese central govemmental goal hasbeen more than 10 years, therefore, public enviIOnmentalattitudes are changing andpeople's actions are also changing.According to SEPA, sanitary landfill is considered as Olle of necessary wastetreatment method and will be commonly used for a long time due to the lack of theother treatment technologies. In accordance to requirements of China's Agenda 21,biogas generated from sanitary landfills will be recovered by the year 2000.Composting is highly appreciated and to improve the quality of composts is thoughtabout as a key issue. (SPEA, 1998)(China's Agenda 21, 1994)5.5 The Municipal Solid Waste Treatment TechnologiesNowadays, the common existing technologies on treatment of municipal solid wasteare landfill, incinerating and composting besides recyc1ing. More than 70% of totalmunicipal solid waste in China is dumped in landfills. High temperature compostingtakes up about 20% of total municipal solid waste. The amount for incineration isfew(SEPA, 1998). Compare to the U S, 60.9% of municipal solid waste was disposedin landfill, 15.5% of that was combusted and 23.6% was recyc1edand composted in1994. (VS EPA, 1995).