Abstract:
Capacity mobilization in solid waste management is defined as the
mobilization of potential and existing resources of communities, organizations, institutions
and local authorities effectively and efficiently for managing solid waste. The objective of
this study was to assess the effect of implemented capacity mobilization programme on
solid waste management in year 2007. This objective was achieved by measuring the
approximate quantities of different kinds of waste disposed and by assessing the knowledge
and application of 3R system within identified 2 sample areas after a lapse of one year.
Two sets of sample Groups were selected with 30 individual households with and without
the participation for capacity mobilization programme in year 2007 from Kundasale
Pradeshiya Sabha including 2 Grama Niladhari divisions Maharatenna and Manikhinna East. Sampling was done randomly from households along the two major waste collecting
streets. Preliminary analysis showed that the general characteristics of these two Groups
are more or less equal. Therefore, the only difference of these two groups with respect to
solid waste disposal can be due to the capacity mobilization programme conducted in year
2007. The calculated waste discharge rate of the group that participated in the capacity
mobilization programme is 1.86 kg/ person-week while the other group produced 2.84
kg/person-week. There is a significant difference between two sample means of waste
discharge rate between the two groups. Also, the group which was exposed to capacity
mobilization programme showed relatively high rate of application of waste separation
system in their own households and were well aware about impacts of burning of
polythene. They had more positive ideas to improve solid waste management practices
compared to the other group. Therefore, there is a positive impact of capacity mobilization
programme on solid waste management in the studied area. Also, it is of utmost
importance to undertake follow up procedures up to a reasonable time limit to keep the
participants in the correct course of action until they naturally enter the environmentally
safe waste disposal procedures.
