Siting of Municipal Solid Waste Facilities

Solid waste management (SWM) is inextricably associated to environmental outcomes, and their succeeding economic consequences inappropriate siting of facilities can have negative impacts on public health and environment.Waste management facility is one of the Locally Unwanted Land Uses (LULU) apart from low cost housing, energy supply lines, motor ways, cemeteries, liquor shops, etc. Resistance characterized Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY)ism, a ‘not in my back yard’ attitude is quite common and natural and, hence, it is desirable to locate the waste treatment and disposal site as far as possible away from settlements. Apart from LULU and NIMBY new acronym—Not on Planet Earth (NOPE) and Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody (BANANA) “not in my terms of office” (NIMTO) and willingness and ability to pay (WATP) for improved SWM service has also appeared in literature to explain resistance of project which is opposed by public. Incorrect siting of SWM facilities would result in complaints, litigation, and public agitation. Siting of SWM finality should ensure ground/surface water protection beside protection of endangered species and public health. Availability of water and electricity; hauling distance; proximity to waste generators; existence of natural buffers; social/cultural impact of prospective sites should become part of decision making to ensure safety of public funds as well as public health.