Solid waste management of Thoubal Municipality, Manipur- a case study

Abstract

Increase in population results in the generation of more quantity of waste in most urban areas. Improper management of the municipal solid waste (MSW) not only causes environmental pollution but also creates hazards to the inhabitants and again affects the quality of life. Municipal bodies are the responsible authority for the management activities of the urban solid waste. The study was carried out within the Thoubal Municipality areas of Thoubal District situated between 24°36′44.184″ N to 24°41′13.031″ N latitude and 93°57′29.088″E to 94°1′30.551″E longitude. The objective of the study was to determine the characterization of the waste and the current system of management activities. The characterization showed that organic composition of the waste has highest percentage of 60.08 % which is followed by the miscellaneous component with a percentage of 15.69 %. Plastic and paper was the next highest composition with 11.1 % and 6.06 % respectively and the least was leather (0.01 %). This paper highlights an overview of the current municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system of Thoubal Municipality. The study concludes with a few suggestions, which may be beneficial to the authorities to work towards further improvement of the current management systems.