Title: Potential environmental impacts as influenced by existing policies in Al-Salt city, Jordan

Authors: Bassam Mrayyan

Addresses: Chairman of Water and Environmental Department, Land, Water and Environmental Institute, The Hashmite University Zarqa, P.O. Box 150459, Jordan

Abstract: Since the major pollutants in Al-Salt city is associated with solid waste, the study focuses on evaluating the management and the existing regulations and laws associated with municipal solid waste in addition to assessing the role that the local community plays along with the governmental agencies to execute the environmental regulation in Al-Salt city, Jordan. Al-Salt city has typical characteristics that represent most cities in the country. These characteristics are environmental practices, type and sources of waste, the climate, the geographical, demographical and social factors as well as the infrastructure and the governing system. The city has little industries therefore most of its waste is generated mostly from municipals rather than industrial. The waste is collected from a metal dumpster on each block of the residential area using a dump truck, then transferred to Al-Humra dump site without going through any process with few recycling activities and environmental awareness programs. The cost for collection and handling the waste is basically covered by the municipality except for small fees imposed on the area citizens although the city has no penalties and fines on citizens lettering. Most of the waste is disposed of in Al-Humra dumpsite west of Al-Salt city. Al-Humra serves seven towns and counties. Solid waste existing practices have showen some environmental impact on the surroundings of Al-Salt city. The existing environmental and solid waste practices considered inadequate and a comprehensive environmental and waste management program should be established. The findings of this manuscript will help of laying the ground for setting up solid waste management and environmental program including separation of wastes, reuse, recycling and better protection precautions to reduce pollution in the studied area as well as to serve as pilot project for other similar areas in the country.

Keywords: solid waste; waste analysis; governmental and non-governmental investment; proper environmental management; Jordan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2004.004186

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2004 Vol.21 No.2, pp.199 - 210

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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