Abstract:
Dhaka is a densely populated capital city. Increased number of population generates huge
volume of solid waste in the city. Major portion of solid waste remains uncollected which
degrades the environment. At present total solid waste generation in 90 wards is around
32,00 ton per day which will reach 4624 ton/day by the year 2015. Currently there are
two types of waste collection systems in Dhaka. Primary waste collection system (from
households to container) is carried out by Community Based Organization (CBO)s or
NGOs and secondary waste collection system (container to disposal site) is conducted by
Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). Waste spreads out along the street from overloaded
uncovered rickshaw van during waste collection from households and taking it to the
container. However, in spite of some limitations around 85% of households are pleased
with service level of primary collection organized by CBOs/NGOs. Different
unauthorized groups are engaged in primary waste collection system in the same ward
with the support of Ward Commissioner that interrupts CBO's activities. DCC can not
use its resources appropriately to manage solid waste in Dhaka City. Approximately
51.33% storage capacity of bin or container is unused because of its inappropriate design
and careless dumping of waste into it. DCC can not use 56.87% of total transport
,
capacity because they make less number of trips by transport vehicles. At the same time
they have shortage of the number of containers and vehicles. They don't have enough
funds for solid waste management. That's why DCC can not properly maintain the
secondary waste collection system. The majority of households are not satisfied with
their service. A private company is involved in waste management in Gulshan residential
area. This company manages waste collection and transportation with 25.87% less cost
than that of DCC. CBOs/NGOs earn enough money from primary waste collection.
Besides primary waste collection now they want to be engaged in secondary waste
collection and street/drain cleaning. They have proposed a cost for waste management
which is less than the present cost of that of DCC as well as have assured that they can
spend for it. This study finds that some gaps remain in existing waste management
system. The study makes a link among DCC, NGOs/CBOs and community people in
order to remove the gaps. In conclusion, it states that CBO/NGO may be involved in
secondary waste collection and street/drain cleaning besides primary collection.
