QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL SOLID WASTES (BABOL, IRAN 2007)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nowadays, one of the basic problems in rural areas of Iran is scattering and dumping of solid wastes. It is necessary to identify the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of solid waste before making any decision about solid waste management in rural areas. As any designation about anything is based on correct information, this study was performed to study the rate of per capita generation, density and physical composition of rural residues in Babol, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in selected rural areas of Babol in 2007. In order to measure the per capita generation rate of solid waste (gram per day per person) in selected villages, the rate of these materials was determined in 3 consecutive days of a week in the middle of month in the middle of any season. For determining density of solid waste and waste analysis, samples were mixed completely and provided in triplicate. Any sample was been transferred to a 0.25 cubic meter plastic container and its different components were measured.FINDINGS: Maximum per capita solid waste generation rate was in the fall (786±77 gram per day) and minimum rate was in spring (387±21 gram per day). Mean per capita generation rate was 551±116 gram per day. Mean density of rural residues was 419±32 kg/m3. Mean percent of degradable materials, plastics and rubber, wood and paper, metal, glass, textile and others was 58.8, 11.9, 10.6, 6.3, 4.4, 2.4, and 5.7, respectively.CONCLUSION: Considering composition of degradable materials, composting is a suitable method for removal of rural solid wastes in Mazandaran province. According to noticeable amount of recyclable materials (plastics, paper, metal and glass), segregation and recovery programs of solid wastes should be considered in rural areas of Mazandaran