Development of a sustainable model for operation of waste to organic fertilizer facilities in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study was conducted to create a sustainable operational model for waste-to-organic fertilizer (W2F) facilities in Sri Lanka, while providing a solution to related issues of waste management and organic fertilizer production from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). The aforementioned study mainly focused on identifying key determinants for the success or the failure of composting facilities, assess the existing practices, and propose an integrative model that goes a long way in improving the sustainability, by enhancing bearability to the environment, equitability to society and economic viability aspects of such facilities. The adopted methodology includes field visits to existing composting sites ranging from data collection, through interviews with key stakeholders to the detailed assessment of operational practices in-existing facilities. Waste handling, composting process, regulatory and policy framework were assessed in great depth. Best practices from around the world were reviewed and compared with local conditions concerning solid waste management and organic fertilizer technologies. Among key findings were critical operational issues encompassing lack of source segregation of waste, inadequate infrastructure and environmental pollution. This study established that public skepticism regarding the quality of compost produced from MSW, poses a challenge. It emerged from the findings that most of the composting facilities which were studied, operate without the required Environmental Protection Licence, further fueling public grievances. The study made a conclusion that for sustainable operations of composting, there must be stringent regulations, implementation of quality management systems, standardization, adequate infrastructure and investment. Community participation, small-scale facilities located within the local government, environmental protection measures and managing human resources throughout the supply chain are main pathways for success. The study proposes the introduction of a compost quality certification scheme, pollution control measures, use of economic instruments with polluter pays principle and traceability through a batch identification system. Limitations of the study are the focus on the MSW composting process, limited geographical coverage of the study (Western Province), and lack of financial data on operational costs.