Integrated solid waste management for urban area in Basrah district

Abstract EN

The success of waste management requires accurate data on generation and composition of waste which is pivotal for the decisions towards the appropriate waste management system.

A five years (2008-2012) study was conducted to evaluate the solid wastes management system in all the six divisions of Basrah district (more than 30 sub-districts).

Recent investigations in 2012 resulted information that population of Basrah district has reached 1,018,000 person The quantity of municipal solid waste generated was recorded to be 634 tons per day with MSW generation rates of 0.62 kg per capita per day.

Municipal solid waste density was conducted as 192.6 kg/m³ with moisture content of 31.1%.

The main components of the MSW were Food wastes represents largest proportion (54.8%), followed by plastic (25.2%) and paper (7%).

The study results reveal that the MSW stream has the largest proportion of biodegradable and recyclable waste.

Therefore, the study recommends to use methods of waste treatment such composting, recycling and incineration in order to reduce the amount of waste that are taken to the landfill.