Problem and Prospect of Solid Waste Management: A Study on Khulna City Corporation, Bangladesh

Heavy urbanization along with population increase in the major cities of Bangladesh generates a massive amount of solid waste, which the government is incapable of handling effectively with the current management system, manpower, infrastructures, monetary backing, and technical aptitudes. With identifying the primary concerns for solid waste management, the research analyzed the present circumstances of waste generation, collection, dumping site transfer system, waste recycling, and treatment facilities of Khulna City Corporation (KCC). This study was completed using both an analytical and descriptive research design. A total of 12 KIIs and two focus group discussions were organized with important stakeholders such as garbage collectors, transporters, homeowners, conservancy field inspectors, and NGO staff. According to the study, a single individual generates 0.3 kg of garbage in KCC, where vegetable and food waste account for approx. 79% of the garbage stream, or nearly four-fifths of all litter created. The KCC has been instrumental in disposing of rubbish from the municipal corporation’s roadside collection points. In accordance with the results of the questionnaire study, the majority of the residences do not have a collection system, and most of them bring their garbage to the nearest STS or storage site. At worst, nearly half of the litter produced from the residence is not accumulated and transferred to the disposal area and is instead disposed of at the Rajbandh landfilling site, causing environmental pollution and posing dangers to surrounding residents. The study discovered that KCC lacks sufficient rules or a framework for scaling up programs to divert household garbage to an organic system. If individuals are specifically informed about transforming organic wastes into compost for fertilizing purposes, a resource recovery technique can precede to an enhancement in managing the MSW successfully. If a living environment is to be assured for citizens, KCC must keep a broad eye on environmental losses by developing effective plans or frameworks and putting them into action to preserve the environment safe and sound.