Solid waste management in Asian countries: problems and issues

Abstract

Asia has been experiencing very high population growth and urbanization. Asian countries will witness a large population increase, which will have important implications for a variety of urban environmental issues, such as solid waste management. Nowadays, waste management is a major challenge in Asian countries, as it creates environmental problems. The present study reveals the problems and issues of solid waste management in Asian countries and certain important problems and issues that must be addressed in order to achieve public cooperation. At the core of the problems of solid waste management are the absence of adequate policies, enabling legislation, and an environmentally stimulated and enlightened public. This paper aims to identify parameters that help to explain the present situation and to assess the future amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated per capita in different Asian countries and how to develop an effective waste management strategy for Asian countries according to economic level.