A report on sustainable municipal solid waste management prepared by a team of experts was presented to the Science and Technology Minister recently.

The report is based on conversion of municipal solid waste to organic fertilizer, through an accelerated degradation process activated by the use of a patented digestive liquid defined as Delta D. This sustainable, environmental friendly and financially viable multi prone approach using sanitary landfill and incineration in a limited manner minimizing adverse environmental effects. The recommendation includes sorting of all recyclable material for re-use in industry as well.

This is a holistic approach based on optimum utilization of home grown technology with least investment cost. The recommendations are based on an inflow of municipal solid waste of 50 MT per day which could be converted to not less than 30 MT of organic fertilizer which could be enriched by addition of rock phosphate from Eppawala deposits and dolomite to suit different nutrient values.

The basic advantage of this process is the accelerated degradation of organic material, which will not exceed 24 hours thereby eliminating piling of garbage stocks.

Most plant equipment required for this process could be fabricated locally. It is strongly recommended that a pilot project be established in Colombo or in suburbs with suitable mechanism put in place for sale of recyclable material and end product as fertilizer.

The study carried out by Prof. Ranjith B. Mapa stresses adverse affects of long term and heavy use of nitrogen fertilizers such as urea. If the recommendations are implemented it will result in substantial saving of foreign exchange, reduction of Government subsidies and adverse effects from long term use of nitrogen fertilizer.

Source