Ecological Solid Waste Management Planning for Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon City in Myanmar needs solid waste management plan in the face of rapid population increase and urbanization. The existing solid waste management systems in Yangon are labor-intensive, the service area does not cover the entire City, and the final disposal sites are not sufficient to handle the volume of wastes. In 2005, Yangon's waste generation rate was 0.465 kg per capita per day with a bulk density of 250 kg/m3. The quantity of daily wastes collected was about 672 tons out of the 'total 1912 tons generated, or a collection rate of 35 percent. This paper focuses on the analysis of Yangon's problems and issues on solid waste management and the formulation of a Strategic Solid Waste Management Plan. It is developed following the concepts of basic planning hierarchy and participatory approach. The strategies are envisioned to be implemented within a period of 20 years (2006-2026) and cover: 1) public awareness and education, 2) waste minimization, 3) waste collection and transportation, 4) waste treatment and disposal, and 5) cost recovery and financial sustainability