International Journal of Waste Resources

Solid Waste Management: Collection, Treatment, Disposal, Challenges, Strategies, and Sustainable Practices

Qiming Li^* Department of Waste Resources, Southeast University, Jiangsu, China
^*Correspondence: Qiming Li, Department of Waste Resources, Southeast University, Jiangsu, China, Email:

Received: 30-Apr-2025, Manuscript No. IJWR-25-29431; Editor assigned: 02-May-2025, Pre QC No. IJWR-25-29431; Reviewed: 16-May-2025, QC No. IJWR-25-29431; Revised: 23-May-2025, Manuscript No. IJWR-25-29431; Published: 30-May-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2252-5211.25.15.614

Description

Solid waste management is the systematic administration of activities that provide for the collection, source separation, storage, transportation, transfer, processing, treatment and disposal of solid waste in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable manner. Solid waste includes a wide range of discarded materials originating from households, commercial establishments, institutions, construction sites and industries. With rapid urbanization, industrial growth and rising population levels, managing solid waste has become one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges faced globally.

The types of solid waste commonly generated include biodegradable waste such as food scraps and garden waste; recyclable materials like paper, glass and certain plastics; inert waste such as construction debris; hazardous waste including batteries, chemicals and medical waste; and electronic waste from discarded devices. Each of these categories requires tailored approaches for handling, treatment and disposal. Effective solid waste management involves integrating these approaches into a coherent system that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes resource recovery.

The first stage in solid waste management is collection, which involves gathering waste from households, businesses and other sources and transporting it to designated facilities. This process is labor-intensive and resource-dependent, often accounting for the largest proportion of waste management costs. Efficiency in collection systems depends on proper route planning, reliable infrastructure and public participation in waste segregation at the source. Segregation plays a critical role in improving the recyclability of materials and the efficiency of downstream processes.

Once collected, waste is either transported directly to disposal sites or to transfer stations, where it is consolidated and sometimes pre-processed before final transport. Processing and treatment of solid waste can involve various mechanical, biological, or thermal technologies. Mechanical processing includes shredding, compacting and sorting materials. Biological treatment, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, is used for biodegradable waste to produce compost and biogas. Thermal treatment options include incineration, which reduces waste volume and can generate energy and newer technologies such as pyrolysis and gasification, which convert waste into synthetic fuels.

Landfilling remains the most common method of solid waste disposal globally, particularly in developing countries. However, poorly managed landfills contribute to serious environmental issues, including groundwater contamination through leachate, greenhouse gas emissions (mainly methane) and health hazards due to the proliferation of disease vectors. Modern sanitary landfills are designed with liners, leachate collection systems and gas recovery mechanisms to minimize environmental impact. Nevertheless, landfills should be considered a last resort, with waste reduction, recycling and energy recovery prioritized beforehand.

Recycling is a key component of sustainable solid waste management. It involves recovering valuable materials from waste and reprocessing them into new products, thereby conserving raw materials and reducing energy consumption. Effective recycling programs require public education, reliable sorting infrastructure and strong market demand for recycled materials. Informal recycling sectors, common in many lowincome countries, play a significant role in waste recovery but often operate under unsafe and unregulated conditions. Integrating informal workers into formal systems can improve both efficiency and livelihoods.

Composting offers a sustainable solution for managing organic waste. By decomposing food and garden waste under controlled aerobic conditions, composting produces nutrient-rich soil additives that enhance soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Composting can be done at the household level, community scale, or in industrial facilities, depending on the volume of organic waste generated. Municipal support and public participation are essential for successful composting initiatives.

One of the greatest challenges in solid waste management is the increasing volume of waste generated per capita, especially in urban areas. Inadequate infrastructure, lack of funding, weak governance and limited public awareness exacerbate the problem. In many parts of the world, open dumping remains common, leading to air and water pollution, blocked drainage systems and widespread health issues. Addressing these issues requires coordinated action among governments, private companies, civil society and individuals.

Policy frameworks and regulations play a pivotal role in improving solid waste management systems. Governments must establish clear guidelines for waste handling, enforce environmental standards and create incentives for waste reduction, segregation and recycling. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an increasingly adopted policy tool that makes manufacturers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, encouraging eco-friendly design and supporting waste collection and recycling systems.

Technology and innovation offer new solutions for solid waste management. Smart bins equipped with sensors can monitor waste levels and optimize collection routes. Mobile applications can connect waste generators with recyclers or composting services. Advanced sorting technologies using artificial intelligence and robotics can improve the efficiency and accuracy of recycling operations. However, technology alone cannot solve the problem without supportive policies, financing and public engagement.

Education and community participation are crucial to the success of solid waste management initiatives. People must be informed about the importance of waste segregation, reduction, reuse and recycling. School programs, public awareness campaigns and community-based initiatives can foster environmentally responsible behaviors. When individuals take responsibility for managing their waste correctly, the burden on municipal systems is reduced and the overall efficiency of the system improves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, solid waste management is an essential public service that protects human health and the environment while supporting sustainable development. It requires a holistic and integrated approach involving waste reduction at the source, efficient collection and transportation, resource recovery through recycling and composting, environmentally sound treatment and safe disposal. With proper planning, investment, education and cooperation across all levels of society, it is possible to create cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities that turn waste from a problem into a valuable resource.