DISPOSAL METHOD FOR SOLID WASTE PRODUCED IN

RURAL AREA

JASMINE ANAK JOHN

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

(Civil Engineering)

2010

Faculty of Engineering

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK

THESIS STATUS ENDORSEMENT FORM

TITLE

DISPOSAL METHOD FOR SOLID WASTE PRODUCED IN RURAL AREA

ACADEMIC SESSION: 2009/2010

I JASMINE ANAK JOHN

(CAPITAL LETTERS)

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KAMPUNG SLABI ENTUKUH

94700 SERIAN, SARAWAK.

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Notes * Thesis refers to PhD, Master and Bachelor Degree

** For Confidential or Restricted materials, please attach relevant documents from relevant

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The following Final Year Project:

Title : Disposal Method For Solid Waste Produced In Rural

Area

Author’s Name : Jasmine Anak John

Matric No. : 16363

has been read and endorsed by:

_______________________ _________________

Jethro Henry Adam Date

Supervisor

DISPOSAL METHOD FOR SOLID WASTE PRODUCED IN RURAL

AREA

JASMINE ANAK JOHN

This thesis is submitted to Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Bachelor of

Engineering with Honours (Civil Engineering)

2010

Specially devoted to …

My beloved family

&

My loyal friends

Thank you all for showering me with all your love and care.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to God for His

abundant blessings and for the idea for me to successfully accomplish this Final

Year Project. Secondly, I am very grateful to my supervisor, i.e. Mr. Jethro Henry

Adam for all the idea and guidance without which this study would have been very

difficult to complete. I also wish to express my gratitude to Mr. John Lungan for the

guidance on solid waste management aspects for Kampung Slabi Entukuh in this

study. Next, I also indebted to my friends for their moral and material support. My

sincere acknowledgment goes also to the dwellers of Kampung Slabi Entukuh for

their generosity in sharing useful information for this study. Last but not least, I

would like to thank my parents for their encouragement and financial support upon

the completion of this project, in which the hard work and effort behind this project

is dedicated for them.

ABSTRAK

Peningkatan populasi dan status ekonomi telah menyumbang kepada

peningkatan penjanaan sisa pepejal di Malaysia dan membawa masalah dalam

sistem pengurusan sisa pepejal yang sedia ada. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mencari

kaitan antara latar belakang penduduk kampung dengan kadar penjanaan sisa

pepejal, mengenal pasti jenis sisa pepejal yang dijana, mendapat kadar penjanaan

sisa pepejal bagi Kampung Slabi Entukuh dan mencadangkan cara pengurusan sisa

pepejal yang dijana di Kampung Slabi Entukuh. Skop kajian adalah untuk

menunjukkan corak penjanaan sisa pepejal di kawasan luar bandar berdasarkan latar

belakang penduduk yang mempengaruhi kadar penjanaan sisa pepejal. Pengumpulan

data dilaksanakan dengan menyediakan borang soal selidik dan data terkumpul

dianalisis dengan menggunakan kaedah SPSS (Statistical Package for Social

Science). Tinjauan penjanaan sampah adalah untuk mengenal pasti jenis sisa pepejal

yang dijana dan mendapat kadar penjanaan sisa pepejal. Daripada analisis, jenis sisa

pepejal yang major adalah bahan organik dan kadar penjanaan sisa pepejal ialah

0.185 kg/orang/hari. Faktor utama yang mempengaruhi penjanaan sisa pepejal

adalah latar belakang penduduk seperti pendidikan, pendapatan dan saiz keluarga,

kekerapan penyediaan makanan dan pembuangan sisa pepejal.

ABSTRACT

Increasing population and economy status have contributed to the increasing

volume of solid wastes produced over Malaysia create problems on the existing solid

waste management system. The purpose of this study is to relate the villagers’

background with generated solid waste rate, to identify the composition of solid

waste generated, to obtain the solid waste generation rate for Kampung Slabi

Entukuh and to propose disposal method for solid waste produced in Kampung Slabi

Entukuh. The scope of study is to show the pattern of solid waste generation in rural

areas on villagers’ background that can affect of solid wastes disposal rate. Data

collection was conducted by preparing questionnaire and the collected data were

analyzed using SPSS method. The waste survey is conducted to identify type of

solid waste composition and to achieve the solid waste generation rate. From the

analysis, the major type of solid waste produced is organic matter and the solid

waste generation rate is 0.185 kg/person/day. The major factor that affects the solid

waste generation is villagers’ background such as education, family income and size,

frequency of food preparation and frequency of waste disposal.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Page

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstrak

Abstract

List of Table

List of Figure

List of Photo

List of Abbreviation

ii

iii

iv

v

vi

vii

ix

x

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.2 Problem Statement

1.3 Aim & Objective

1.4 Scope of Study

1

3

4

4

Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 General

2.1.1 Solid Waste Classification

2.1.2 Solid Waste Generation

2.2 Solid Waste Management (SWM)

2.2.1 Waste Hierarchy

2.2.2 Integrated Solid Waste Management

2.3 Rural Area Waste

2.3.1 Rural Solid Waste Collection Alternatives

2.3.2 Waste Stream Reduction

2.3.2.1 Recovery

6

8

10

12

12

13

15

16

18

18

2.3.2.2 Composting

2.4 Solid Waste Data Collection

2.4.1 Types of Solid Waste Data

2.4.2 Waste Disposal Characterization Method

2.5 Solid Waste Management In Rural Areas

2.5.1 Solid Waste Management In Oklahoma

2.5.2 Solid Waste Management In Ilorin, Nigeria

20

34

34

35

38

38

41

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Background

3.1.1 Initial Study

3.1.2 Data Collection

3.1.3 Method of Waste Weighing Analysis

3.1.4 Data Analysis

3.1.5 Result and Recommendation

3.2 Study Area

43

44

44

45

48

48

49

CHAPTER 4 RESULT AND ANALYSIS

4.1 General

4.2 Villagers’ Background Analysis

4.3 Solid Waste Disposal Method

4.4 Type of Solid Waste Generated Analysis

4.5 Proposed Solid Waste Management for

Kampung Slabi Entukuh

51

52

64

69

74

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

80

5.2 Problem Faced

5.3 Recommendation

81

82

REFERENCES 83

APPENDICES 88

vi

LIST OF TABLE

Table

Page

1 Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Wastes:

Designation Time

10

2 Waste to Include In or Exclude from The Compost Pile 30

3 Troubleshooting Composting Problems 32

4 Classification of Characteristics of Waste 35

5 Relationship of Education Level and Age Range 53

6 Relationship between Education Level and Occupation 54

7 Relationship between Family Size and Family Income 56

8 Type of Communication 58

9 Frequency of Food Preparation 62

10 Different Methods Used In Disposing Solid Waste 69

11 Estimated Weight of Solid Waste Compositions

Generated Per Day

71

12 Estimated Weight of Generated Solid Waste

Composition

72

vii

LIST OF FIGURE

Figure

Page

1 Study Structure 5

2 Materials Flow and the Generation of Solid Wastes in a

Technological Society

11

3 Maine’s Hierarchy from Highest to Lowest Priority 13

4 Composting in a Pile 22

5 Structures for Backyard Composting 23

6 Wire-Fencing Compost Bin 25

7 Cement Block Compost Bin 26

8 Portable Wood and Wire Compost Bin 27

9 Wood Slat Compost Bin 28

10 Cross Section of Layering in Compost Bin 29

11 Sampling At a Disposal Site 36

12 The Role of Scavenger in Waste Recycling, Nigeria 42

13 Plan for Methodology 43

14 Percentage of Villagers’ Family Income 55

15 Location of Houses 59

16 Frequency of Waste Disposal among Houses 63

viii

Figure Page

17 Composition of Generated Solid Waste 72

18 Proposed Solid Waste Management for Kampung Slabi

Entukuh

74

19 Proposed Structure for Composting 77

20 Composting In a Pile 78

ix

LIST OF PHOTO

Photo

Page

1 Respondent Filling Up the Survey Form 45

2 A Bin of Generated Solid Waste to Be Weighed into

Compositions

47

3 Location of Kampung Slabi Entukuh 50

4 Single Storey Concrete House 56

5 Double Storey Concrete House 57

6 Single Storey Wooden House 57

7 Mountain Stream Water Supply Dam 58

8 (i) Location of Houses In Kampung Slabi Entukuh 60

(ii) Location of Houses In Kampung Slabi Entukuh 61

9 Floating Solid Waste during Flood 62

10 Solid Waste Is Dump into the River from the

Suspension Bridge

64

11 Solid Waste Is Dump at Riverside 65

12 Open Burning 66

13 Open Dumping 66

14 Burn in Fire Place 67

x

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

ADB - Asian Development Bank

ASTM - American Standard Test Method

CIWMB - California Integrated Waste Management Board

ISWM - Integrated Solid Waste Management

SMART - Start Managing All Resources Today

SWM - Solid Waste Management

TORTA - Terms of Reference Technical Assistance

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Currently, Malaysia is among fast forward developing country with its rapid

economy growth. Increasing population and economy status have contributed the

increasing volume of solid wastes produced over Malaysia. Human enthusiasm of

using natural resources for daily activities, economy and development purposes

have indirectly causing environmental problems. More and more waste products

such as household waste and farm waste are generated. Even worse, present

disposal sites are not enough to support solid wastes produced in our daily lives

(Haris, 2004).

In Malaysia, according to Chandravathani (2006) about 7.34 million tonnes

of solid wastes were generated in Malaysia in 2005, enough to fill up 42

buildings the same size as that of the world-renowned Petronas Twin Towers.

This shows that if we did not do something to manage our solid waste, our earth

will be overwhelmed with pile of rubbishes which not only raising discomfort

2

like visual and odour nuisance to the public, but also endangers our health. Such

environment reflect how half-heartedly sense of our community on the solid

waste generation issue.

The urban population, which constitutes more than 65% of the total

population, is the main waste generator (Periathamby et. al., 2009). Comparing

rural to urban area, there is only few areas that have planning for domestic waste

management from the authorities. While the other areas, every single waste that

they produced will end in the bins. Due to lack of knowledge about the impact

caused by their innocent act, they tend to use river as their best method to dispose

their waste.

To solve this problem, rural communities require major changes in

establishing disposal practices and in public attitudes and behavior. As part of the

government policy towards sustainable development, sustainable waste

management techniques, which will reduce environmental impact, at an

affordable cost and also require to be accepted by the public need to be applied in

order to manage the waste (Adam, 2003). Therefore, everyone in our community

including government and private sectors plays an important role to protect our

mother nature before it turns to dumps for the sake of our future generation.

3

1.2 Problem Statement

Unsystematic wastes disposal in rural areas has became a major concern due

to its cumulative and hazardous effect in the long run. This issue has to be

addressed before the situation is getting worse and much difficult and costly to

manage. The usual method of solid wastes disposal in rural area are disposed at

the river, stream and anywhere at their will. The consequences of this habitual

littering are dangerous to human health, safety and well being.

Disposal method for solid waste produced in rural area case study focuses

on the management and disposal of municipal solid waste produced in rural area.

Because of this, it is important to conduct this research to study solid waste

generation rate and composition generated by rural community and propose the

best solution to resolve the waste mismanagement in rural areas besides ensuring

environment cleanliness and more peaceful community life.

The area to be studied is Kampung Slabi Entukuh which is located in Serian

District, Samarahan. This village is 8 kilometer from Serian town and is along

Sadong River. The villagers dispose their domestic solid wastes into this river

and do open burning and have causes pollutions to air, land and water.

4

1.3 Aim & Objective

The aim for this study is to identify the types of domestic solid wastes

produced and disposal methods used in rural areas to reduce pollutions.

The main objectives to be achieved are:

a) To study the relationship between villagers’ background with generated

solid waste rate

b) To identify the composition of solid wastes generated

c) To obtain the solid waste generation rate in Kampung Slabi Entukuh

d) To propose the suitable disposal method to Kampung Slabi Entukuh

1.4 Scope of Study

This study is important to show the pattern of solid waste generation in rural

areas on several aspects such as villagers’ education level and their social life and

population's awareness can affect of solid wastes disposal rate. From this study,

we can identify the possible root of the problem and find solution to solve it.

Interview is made to find out the villagers’ background, types of solid waste

generated, how frequent do they throw rubbish and how they disposed their solid

wastes. A survey on waste generation and composition is conducted. Sample of

5

solid wastes will be weighed up using weighing scale to get the weight of the

solid waste generated and isolate the solid waste by in-situ to get the composition

of the solid wastes. Based on the result from the compositions of the solid waste

generated, the type of solid waste that is frequently produced can be identified

and propose the suitable disposal method for Kampung Slabi Entukuh solid waste

management. Figure 1 shows the study structure.

Figure 1: Study Structure

Data Collection

Questionnaire

- Villagers' background

- Frequency of waste disposal

- Disposal method used

Waste Weighing Analysis

- Solid waste composition

-Waste generation rate

Propose Disposal Method

6

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 General

Solid wastes can be defined as the disposal of items that are spoilt, degraded

or no longer used by the owner. As Ramachandra (2006) stated, solid wastes are

the wastes arising from human and animal activities that are normally solid and

are discarded as useless or unwanted.

According to Britannica Online Encyclopedia (2009), waste disposal is the

collection, processing, and recycling or deposition of the waste materials of

human society. Disposal methods include collection, processing, recycling,

composting or deposition of solid waste materials. Improper solid waste

management will lead to pollutions to air, land and water in some extent.

SMART Ranger (2009) classified type of waste commonly generated in

Malaysia as municipal solid waste and hazardous and industrial waste. Municipal

7

solid waste includes domestic waste, commercial waste, community waste,

construction and renovation waste and institutional waste.

There are few constraints applied to solid waste management described as

follows (Pfeffer, 1992).

a. Protection of public health

The consequences of improper disposal of solid waste such as

food waste will attract disease caring vector like rats and flies.

b. Minimum cost

Some parties prefer to dump their waste in a used gravel pit,

volatilizing it into the atmosphere or any method that was

minimum cost.

c. Environmental acceptability

Solid waste disposal practices were contributing to the

deterioration of environmental quality and this has been a steady

increase in the control exercised over solid waste disposal.

d. Resource recovery and conservation

Recycling is a process where used products is recovered and made

into new product although the quality might not be as good as

virgin products.

8

2.1.1 Solid Waste Classification

Solid waste is not only being deleterious to a single part of the environment,

it also contributes to environmental pollution. Solid wastes include the organic

and inorganic waste material such as furniture, clothing, bottles, kitchen refuse,

paper, etc. According to Triverdi and Raj (1992), solid waste can be classified as

follows:

a. Garbage - decomposable wastes from food, slaughter-houses, canning and

freezing industries, etc.

b. Rubbish - non-putrescible wastes, either combustible or non-combustible.

Combustible wastes include paper, wood, cloth, rubber leather, and

garden wastes. Non- combustibles would include metals, glass, ceramics,

stones, dirt, masonry, and some chemicals.

c. Ashes - residues (such as cinders and fly ash) of the combustion of solid

fuel for heating and cooking or the incineration of solid wastes by

municipal, industrial, and apartment house incinerators.

d. Large wastes – demolition and construction (rubble pipes, lumber,

masonry brick, plastic, roofing and insulating materials), automobiles,

furniture, refrigerators and other home appliances, trees, tires, etc.

e. Dead animals – household pets, birds, rodents, zoo animals, etc. There are

also anatomical and pathological wastes from the hospitals.

f. Sewage treatment process solids – screenings settled solids, sludge.