Research Article International Journal of Advancement in Earth and Environmental Sciences PROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT FOR LONG-TERM IMPACT OF EXCESSIVE SOLID WASTE GENERATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study is to emphasize the issues associated to the rigorous growth of solid waste and its impact on the environment. The world's accelerated economic development in recent decades has led to a rapid urbanization and an uncontrolled population growth in fast developing countries (e.g. India and China). Changes in the consumption patterns of the region’s urban dweller have resulted in an excessive generation of municipal solid waste (MSW). Thousands of tons of solid waste are generated daily in developed and developing countries worldwide. Most of it ends up in open dumps and wetlands, contaminating surface and ground water and posing major health hazards. Only a small amount of the region’s waste is disposed of in sanitary landfills; most is deposited in open dumps or semi-controlled unlined landfills with no groundwater protection, leachate recovery, or treatment systems. The larger dumps are located on the edges of cities, towns, and villages, sometimes in ecologically sensitive areas, or areas where groundwater supplies are threatened. They serve as breeding grounds for rats, flies, birds and other organisms that serve as disease vectors. Smoke from burning refuse may be damaging the health of nearby residents and the smell degrades their quality of life. Solid waste management is a challenge for the cities ’ authorities in developing countries mainly due to the increasing generation of waste, the burden posed on the municipal budget as a result of the high costs associated to its management. The lack of understanding over a diversity of factors that affect the different stages of waste management and linkages necessary to enable the entire handling system functioning. The major issues related to the management of solid waste and their appropriate alternative effortless solutio