Abstract
Urban solid waste management is a complex issue and an integrated concept in the developing world. In this study, we proposed a model for handling solid waste generation, collection, separation, and reduction. The model would help to manage municipal waste using a spatial geodatabase for waste disposal site selection and the location of suitable composting sites. The selection of composting sites for the conversion of organic waste to compost can reduce the volume of wastes and enhance urban agriculture. In this research, several factors in waste generation, including primary waste-generating site selection, road networks, municipal waste sites in sensitive locations, reasons for illegal waste dumping sites, and waste segregation were included. The interrelationships between these factors and manual waste handling, unsuitable techniques, limited manpower, logistics, and landfill scarcity conditions were investigated. Multi-criteria analysis was applied for the identification of suitable waste sites and selection of suitable composting sites for the promotion of urban agriculture. Thus, the research suggested a participatory approach for the reduction of domestic waste by source-separation and waste-conversion techniques. To map and visualize variation, Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to show the waste collection scenario, including sensitive locations, simultaneously dealt with several factors that were considered in the planning of waste management in a part of Dhaka City. A suitable composting site must follow environmental safety criteria in isolating waste and converting organic waste to compost with no risk to the environment. On the basis of exclusionary criteria, decision factors, and standardization and weighting of factors, a final suitability map was produced and potential locations for composting were identified. One of the notable outcomes of this research work was investigation of the most suitable site for composting, so as to introduce and promote urban agriculture.
