Studying Municipal Solid Waste generation and Composition in the Urban areas of Bhutan
2010 | 1 The Department of Urban Development & Engineering Services, Ministry of Works & Human Settlements, Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan is a small landlocked country located in the eastern Himalaya between Tibet-China (in the North) and India (in the east, south and west). Its total population in 2005 was 672,425 (PHCB, 2006) and it has a total area of 38,394 km2 (MoA 2004). Like any other developing country, Bhutan too is facing the challenges of rapid urbanisation with more than 30\% of the country population living in the urban areas which is expected to increase in the next few decades. Although the national annual population growth rate in Bhutan is 1.28\% (MoWHS 2007, PHCB, 2006), its average urban population growth rate has been reported to be 7.3\% annually with the western region, including Thimphu, experiencing maximum growth rate of about 11\% (MoWHS 2007). Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan with a total population of 79,185 (PHCB, 2006) in 2005 which is more than 40\% of the entire urban population in Bhutan.
The manual aim to support both formal and informal recycling enterprises in preventing plastic pollution by advocating best practices and promoting proper housekeeping within informal recycling facilities.
The main goal of this study is to evaluate plastic and pellet losses and leakage from the logistical handling and pre-processing operations of informal recycling groups in Thailand, focusing on recovered post-consumer plastic waste and factory processing operations. The focus areas of this study are the Nonthaburi Municipality and Pattaya City.
This study was conducted following on a simplified three-step approach: 1) collect and analyse data and information relevant to plastic leakage from informal sector recycling; 2) engage with key stakeholders; and 3) disseminate the outcomes of the study.
The guidelines aim to fill knowledge gaps and promote contextually appropriate best practices. They will also encourage industry actors to implement measures to prevent and contain plastic and pellet leakages. Based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the post-consumer plastic recycling value chain, which analyzed primary sources of plastic loss and leakage, including technology applications, resource availability, access, and regulatory and policy gaps, these guidelines are designed.
