Title: Data reliability of solid waste analysis in Asia's newly industrialised countries

Authors: Christopher J. Speier; Moni M. Mondal; Dirk Weichgrebe

Addresses: Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management (ISAH), Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30617 Hannover, Germany ' Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management (ISAH), Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30617 Hannover, Germany ' Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management (ISAH), Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30617 Hannover, Germany

Abstract: Urban municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Asia's newly industrialised countries remains inefficient with severe effects on human health. For developing sustainable MSW systems, detailed data on urban MSW characteristics are required. This article analyses the data quality and reliability of MSW characteristics by investigating existing datasets and the followed methodologies of data collection from urban areas. The applied methodologies are evaluated in the context of international standards for solid waste analysis. Focusing on MSW datasets from India, it is observed that MSW data vary stronger with decreasing city sizes. Most of the analysed studies did not follow the recommended statistical methods for solid waste analysis. In conclusion, the MSW datasets and the methodologies followed show great variations with limited informative value. For most cities, a MSW analysis in further detail and extend is required before developing a sustainable waste management system.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; MSW; solid waste characterisation; waste analysis; waste management; data quality; newly industrialised countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2018.094101

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2018 Vol.22 No.1/2/3/4, pp.124 - 146

Received: 10 Jul 2017
Accepted: 22 Sep 2017
Published online: 16 Aug 2018 *

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