REPORT ON BASELINE STUDY ON PHYSICAL WASTE COMPOSITION IN BARIDHARA, DHAKA

2014

Submitted to

Swisscontact

Value for Waste Project (HSWMP) House 19, Road 11

Baridhara, Dhaka 1212

Prepared by

Energy & Urban Services Programme Practical Action, Bangladesh

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Executive Summary

Practical Action, Bangladesh signed service contract with Swisscontact on December, 2013 aimed to establish precise baseline data on the physical composition and total waste generation in Baridhara Society area of Dhaka North City Corporation. Just after signing the service contract, Practical Action, Bangladesh recruited 6 external research assistants and engaged a 4 member’s team from Urban Services programme to carry out this assignment. A checklist was developed and finalized in consultation with Swisscontact and their partner Baridhara Society. External research assistants were oriented on checklist and way of data collection and transfer followed by field trials. Both Swisscontact and Baridhara Society extended their cooperation to mobilise local support including assistance of waste collectors to transport waste from targeted buildings (40 multi storied and 10 Independent building) to convenient secondary transfer stations and community consultations. To segregate (4 categorised) and measure wastes, Practical Action provided necessary equipment (weigh scale, plastic bags, rake, sitting tool, bag, pencil, and notebook) and protective measures (hand gloves, mask, shoes, cap, T shirt etc.). The study team collected data for 3 different days including weekly holiday and working days. The collected data were transferred to MS Excel software and analysed as per the ToR of the study.

The study team found most of the generated wastes (48%) are compostable including fruits, vegetables, leaves, food residues, garden wastes etc. 31% was the inorganic recyclables i.e. papers, packaged polythenes, textile fabrics etc. and 18% were mixed wastes i.e. soiled tissue papers, fabrics, kids diapers etc. A very few (3%) were hazardous mainly electric bulbs and equipment and medical wastes. Maximum waste (1832 grams/household/day) is generated in Friday because of weekly holiday whereas waste generation in working days varies from 1794 to 1797 grams/household/day. Households in Baridhara generates mostly compostable wastes whereas embassy buildings generate mostly inorganic recyclable. The study team faced a number of limitations including political instabilities (frequent and prolong blockades and strikes); foggy and cold weather restricted the transport facilities and short duration. Season has great influence in composition of kitchen wastes. This study actually provides waste composition in fall season. Swisscontact should consider at least two more studies in other seasons (Winter and Summer) to get appropriate composition of wastes.

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Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 1 

1.  INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 3 

2.  AIMS and OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................. 3 

Expected Outputs ............................................................................................................................. 4 

3.  METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................. 4 

3.1  Literature Review: ............................................................................................................... 4 

3.2  Design of Study Checklists: ................................................................................................. 4 

3.3  Meeting with Swisscontact and BS for finalization of study methodology: ............... 4 

3.3.1 Role of Practical Action, Bangladesh ............................................................................. 4 

3.3.2 Role of BS ............................................................................................................................ 5 

3.3.3 Role of Swisscontact (SC) ................................................................................................. 5 

3.3.4 Road-wise Physical Survey Plan Preparation ................................................................ 5 

3.4  Recruitment of Research Assistants and Orientation .................................................... 5 

List of Research Assistant ........................................................................................................... 6 

3.5  Procurement and Supply of Necessary Equipment/Logistic ......................................... 6 

3.6  Checklist for the research assistant .................................................................................. 7 

3.7  List of Households ................................................................................................................ 9 

3.8  Field Trial ............................................................................................................................ 10 

3.9  Site and Sample selection ................................................................................................. 10 

3.10  Survey Conduction ............................................................................................................. 10 

3.11  Data collection ................................................................................................................... 11 

4. CONSTRAINTS ................................................................................................................................. 11 

5. FINDING AND ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................. 12 

5.1 Category wise Waste Generation ......................................................................................... 12 

5.2 Organic Compostable Waste Generation ............................................................................. 13 

5.3 Inorganic Recyclable Waste Generation .............................................................................. 14 

5.4 Hazardous Waste Generation: ............................................................................................... 15 

5.5 Remaining Mixed Waste Generation .................................................................................... 16 

5.6 Day wise Waste Generation ................................................................................................... 17 

5.7 Comparing Waste Generation in Households and in Embassies ...................................... 18 

6. CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION ......................................................................................... 18 

Annexures ........................................................................................................................................ 19 

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1. INTRODUCTION

The provision of reliable solid waste services, particularly to an increasing urban

population, requires an accurate and up to date database, which should be consistently

maintained. Knowledge of the composition of city waste streams has direct implications

for the planning of collection, transportation, recovery and disposal activities and will

enable city authorities and those engaged in solid waste management to effectively

address these issues. Data collected can help policy makers and city planners reduce

landfill waste, set up recycling programs, and conserve money and resources. Waste

characterization plays an important part in any treatment of wastes.

Additionally, increases in our population and changes in consumption patterns have

undoubtedly influenced waste composition and generation rates. To assess the total waste

generation and physical compositions, Practical Action, Bangladesh was engaged by

Swisscontact. Baridhara Society is the local CBO co-implementing the Value for Waste

project (VfW), Swisscontact. This Value for Waste (VfW) project aims to improve the solid

waste management situation at the source, in the logic of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

For this purpose, we focus on keeping the value of recyclables intact by (a) encouraging

source segregation in households and (b) insuring that separate collection takes place in

an efficient and safe way.

VfW needs precise baseline data on the physical composition of mixed waste discarded by

households in Baridhara before the households start segregating waste into the four

categories which are organic compostable, inorganic recyclables, hazardous waste and

remaining mixed waste. This will allow the project to have precise and reliable knowledge

about waste composition and to monitor over time whether households and building staffs

are segregating the different materials.

2. AIMS and OBJECTIVES

The key objective of this assignment is to find out the quantity of generated waste/day

and its physical composition in Baridhara area of Dhaka city. The study report will serve

as base line to measure progress/impact during and beyond project cycle by the following

ways.

to determine the volume required for on-site storage, transportation, transfer

facilities and disposal of solid waste;

to identify recycling/resource recovery potential of solid waste;

to determine appropriate methods of collection and disposal of solid waste

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Expected Outputs

Daily generation rates in kg/person/day for residential waste;

Composition of solid waste generated in percentage by weight.

3. METHODOLOGY

The study has adopted below methodologies

3.1 Literature Review:

The study team reviewed a number of relevant documents (i.e. National 3R strategy,

books and courses on WASH designed and published by ITN BUET, waste situation analysis

reports on different cities/countries available in internets, national and international

conference – WEDC, SACOSAN, IconSWM/India proceedings etc.) to compare study findings

and to assess the methodologies adopted.

3.2 Design of Study Checklists:

The study team finalized a checklist in consultation with Swisscontact and Baridhara

Society which have both qualitative and quantitative information. Qualitative information

includes 4 different types of wastes which are organic compostable, inorganic recyclables,

hazardous waste, remaining mixed and quantitative includes weight and volumes of

different categories of wastes in three different days (two weekly holidays and 1 working

day were selected due to blockades during working days) in a week.

3.3 Meeting with Swisscontact and BS for finalization of study methodology:

Several meetings were held among PRACTICAL ACTION, BANGLADESH, Swisscontact and BS

representatives to discuss the study methodology, household’s selection for weighing

wastes, roles of agencies during data collection. The roles of different agencies is as

follows:

3.3.1 Role of Practical Action, Bangladesh

Hire/recruit and orient 6 surveyors for waste composition survey and provide

orientation to waste collectors (gariwala) to support surveyor.

Provided necessary equipment/ logistics for carryout the survey.

Provided 50 nos. bags every day to collect waste from 50 buildings (1 bag for each

building).

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Surveyor collected waste from Building Bins and transfer to bags and marked with

building/ID no. on the bag.

Segregated waste at dumping station as per checklist and record data for analysis.

Processed data, analyze and generate a report with collected data/information.

3.3.2 Role of BS

BS provided/assigned 06 nos. waste collection van with van driver to collect

waste/bags from households and van driver will transport waste/bags from

household to dumping station.

Supplied list of buildings which was used as sample.

Review and comment on draft report.

3.3.3 Role of Swisscontact (SC)

Swisscontact (SC) coordinated between Practical Action, Bangladesh and Baridhara

Society (BS) to carry out the task.

Supplied list of category of wastes

Monitor the quality of data collection

Review and comment on draft report

3.3.4 Road-wise Physical Survey Plan Preparation

As per the plan, Baridhara Society and Swisscontact selected random 50 houses and

prepared the road wise physical waste composition survey plan. The list and plan was

provided by BS and Practical Action, Bangladesh coded the building which was useful

during surveying. The code was marked on the polythene bag for waste collection.

3.4 Recruitment of Research Assistants and Orientation

Practical Action, Bangladesh recruited six research assistants who are students of different

universities for conducting field survey and data collection. Practical Action, Bangladesh

provided them an orientation to carry out the assignments. They were also briefed the

objectives of this project and role of stakeholders. Practical Action, Bangladesh arranged

a field visit to Baridhara at Swisscontact office where Mr. Rashadul Hasan and Syed

Habibul Haque of Swisscontact and Mr. Atik from BS were present. Mr. Rashed motivated

the research assistants to their assigned works and Mr. Habib again discussed with them

the objectives of the project, individual works and responsibilities. Mr. Atik also described

them the role of BS in Baridhara Residential Area. Engr. Uttam Kumar Saha, Head, Energy

and Urban Wash Services concluded orientation expecting good cooperation from research

assistants.

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List of Research Assistant

S/N Name Education & Institute Mobile

Orientation Status

Remarks

01. Anamul Haque

Accounting (Hons), Dhaka College 01689087869 Received

02. Md. Risad Uddin

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), ULAB

01684422081 Received

03. Zahidur Rahman Shimul

HSC, Dhaka College 01676832171 Received

04. S.M. Nahid Mahmud

Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS), Govt. Azam Khan Commerce College

01684468011 Received

05. Debotosh Mondal

B.Sc. in Textile Engineering, Daffodil International University

01849612198 Received

06. Kanai Lal Malaker

Bachelor of Business studies (B.B.S Hon’s ), Shaikh Burhanuddin Post Graduate College

01719562454 Received

Fig: Practical orientation for the research assistance

3.5 Procurement and Supply of Necessary Equipment/Logistic

PRACTICAL ACTION, BANGLADESH procured and supplied all necessary equipment. The

equipment includes hand gloves, masks, safety shoes, bucket, rake, PP sheet, digital

balance, cap, T-shirt, pen, note book, bag etc. for the research assistants.

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3.6 Checklist for the research assistant

Composition of the waste in Baridhara Residential Area

Building description : Building Code :

Road Number / Road Name : House Number :

Number of Households : Number of

Residents :

VAN Driver Name : VAN Number :

Prepared By :

Categories Items

Remarks Weigh

t Volume Weight

Volume Weight

Volume

Organic Compostab

les

Fruits and vegetables

Egg shells Coffee ground/tea leaves

Bread

Rice Other food leftovers (except fish and meat) Garden waste (soil, grass, leaves) Ashes

Total Organic Compostables

Inorganic Recyclable

s

Paper/newspapers/ magazines Cardboard Plastic / polythene packaging (clean or slightly soiled) Plastic (PET) bottles Hard plastic items Rubber Aluminium cans Other metals (steel,..) Textile fabrics Ceramics Glass bottles Leather CD/DVDs

Total Inorganic Recyclables

Hazardous waste

Batteries Light bulbs/ fluorescent lights

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Broken glass Medical waste (pills, syringes, bandages) Aerosol sprays (e.g. mosquito spray) Electronic equipment Paint

Total Hazardous Waste

Remaining Mixed Waste

Fish and meat, bones Cheese, dairy products Soiled tissue paper Heavily soiled packaging Diapers, pads Tea bags Dirt, dust

Total Remaining Mixed Waste

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3.7 List of Households

Source: Baridhara Society

ROADWISE Physical waste composition Survey PLAN

Sl No

Waste Collectors/ Van drivers

Van Sl

No.

Road No

Survey plan

Comments Address of

Independent building /

House Number

Address of Multistoried

building / House Number

1 Md. Sattar Mia

3

Dutabash Road

4,12,20,15 (China Embassy)

Road 1 12 16(Iraq

Embassy), 24

Road 2 5

2 Md. Ibrahim 7

Road 3

1,2,14

Road 4 1 18,26

Road 5 24 2,22

3 Md. Shohidul Islam

9

Road 6 1,18

Road 7 7 1,9,20

Road 8 3 2/C,17

4 Md. Khokon Mia

1 S. Avenue 57 21,33,45,49,61

Road 9

15,18

5 Md. Moslem Uddin

2

Road10 4,14,16,19

Road 11

20,15

Road 12 3 28

6 Md. Rustom Ali

10

UN Road

4,8,30

Road 13 9 10,17

Road 14 2 12

7 Md. Russel Mia

4 Park Road

8 Md. Jashim Rana

Total Number of

Independent building=10

Total Number of Multistoried building=40

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3.8 Field Trial

The research team at the end of the training went for field trial for selected solid waste

collection sites and the Dumpsite to gain practical knowledge.

3.9 Site and Sample selection

Swisscontact and Baridhara Society provided a list of 50 targeted buildings. Buildings were

mainly multistory, single private buildings and a few embassies.

Fig: Theoretical orientation for the research assistance

3.10 Survey Conduction

The following provides a detailed description of the procedures adopted in the survey-

The proposed study has interviewed 384 households which are more than 10% of

target clients. A total of 50 buildings (40 multistoried and 10 individual) have been

randomly selected for study.

Practical Action, Bangladesh has trained 6 external research assistants who are

students of different institute. Each research assistant is supplied with a weight

scale, mask, apron, wrecker, safety shoe and hand gloves for the measurement of

wastes and T-shirts, Caps, ID card for identity.

The survey is conducted for three consecutive days. From 17.01.2014 to

19.01.2014 (Friday to Sunday) the survey started at 6 am to completion.

The Research Assistants, with the help of community waste collectors employed by

Baridhara society, have collected the waste generated in the selected 50

households by 6 Vans.

The Research assistants were also provided with polybags for waste collection from

different buildings. Besides they were also provided with some logistic items like

bag, clip board, pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener, marker and others.

Every day while collecting the waste from building, they have noted building code

on the polybags so that later they find it easier to identify the desired polybags.

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After collection of the waste, they have dumped the wastes at a selected place

and there they segregated the wastes in to the desired way.

After segregation, they measured weight and volume of wastes/types with a weigh

scale and container calibrated in volume. They weighted the item wise waste of

each category, measure the volume where possible and note that on the provided

sheet.

Fig: Research assistant taking measurement of daily quantities of solid waste generated

3.11 Data collection

The Research assistants weighted the item wise waste of each category, measure the

volume where possible and note that on the provided sheet. After segregation, they

measured weight and volume of wastes/types with a weigh scale and container calibrated

in volume. They weighted the item wise waste of each category, measure the volume

where possible and note that on the provided sheet. The collected data was recorded in

MS excel sheet for analysis and report generation. (see annexure-1)

4. CONSTRAINTS

The study team faced below constraints, which need to be considered for any similar studies in near future.

a. No designated open place for segregation of wastes.

b. The limited duration to complete the segregation.

.

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5. FINDING AND ANALYSIS

The composition, characteristic and quantity of wastes collected during the survey period

are presented in this section. Wastes are calculated and projected per household basis.

5.1 Category wise Waste Generation

From the survey it is found that maximum waste that generates in Baridhara Residential

Area is of Organic Compostable Waste and the quantity is 876 grams per household per

day. Where there is a significant amount of remaining mixed wastes are also generated.

Hazardous waste generates to low.

It is found that around 48% of the total waste generated is Organic compostable waste and

31% is remaining mixed waste. Hazardous waste generates only 3%.

0.00

200.00

400.00

600.00

800.00

1000.00

Total OrganicCompostables

Total InorganicRecycleables

Total HazardousWaste

Total RemainingMix Waste

Grams 876.05 320.68 54.28 556.75

Grams

Catagory wise Waste Generation per Household per Day

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5.2 Organic Compostable Waste Generation

Fruit and vegetables are the most generated item of organic waste. It is found that 673

grams of fruit and vegetables waste generates in an average in every household per day.

Other organic waste is very negligible compared to this item. Beside fruit and vegetable

wastes, rice (42 grams), other food leftovers (63 grams) are also found in a little quantity.

Garden waste is also found and it is around 66 grams/household/day.

48%

18%3%

31%

Percentage of Catagory wise Waste Generation per Household per Day

Total Organic Compostables

Total Inorganic Recycleables

Total Hazardous Waste

Total Remaining Mix Waste

Fruits andVegetables

Egg shells CoffeeGround / Tea

Leaves

Bread Rice Other FoodLeftovers

GardenWaste

Ashes

673

14 3 1142 63 66

5

Grams

Item wise Organic Waste Generation per Household per Day

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So the main and maximum generated organic compostable waste is vegetables and fruits

and garden wastes are also found of a significant amount. 77% of the total organic waste is

fruits and vegetables and 8% is garden waste.

5.3 Inorganic Recyclable Waste Generation

Paper, newspaper, magazines are the mostly found inorganic compostable waste of

quantity 95 grams per household per day. Besides plastic/polythene packages (72 grams)

are also found by a significant amount. Textile fabrics (51 grams), glass bottles (31 grams)

are also found of a considerable amount. Some quantity of plastic bottles (11 grams), hard

plastic items (14 grams), aluminum cans (12 grams), sand (13 grams) is also found.

77%

2%0%

1% 5% 7%8%

0%

Percentage of Item wise Organic Waste Generation per Household per Day

Fruits and Vegetables

Egg shells

Coffee Ground / Tea Leaves

Bread

Rice

Other Food Leftovers

Garden Waste

Ashes

95

5

72

11 143

124

51

5

31

3 0.450.21 1 0.410.0113

0.000.01

Grams

Item wise Inorganic Recycleable Waste Generation per Household per Day

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If we consider the volumetric quantity around 30% is paper/newspaper/magazines. 22% is

plastic/ polythene packages and 16% is the textile fabrics.

5.4 Hazardous Waste Generation:

Light bulbs/fluorescent lights are found 20.11 grams that generates one household in a

day. This is the mostly found hazardous item that generates in the area. Medical waste

also generates of a significant amount and the quantity is about 15 grams. Besides a

significant amount of broken glass are also found whose quantity is 7.01 grams. Electronic

equipment (5.21 grams), aerosol sprays (4.03 grams) are also found.

37% of the total hazardous waste is light bulbs/ fluorescent light and 28% is medical waste.

Tablets, capsules, medicine bottles, pills, condoms are others are found as medical waste.

Besides 13% is broken glass.

30%

2%

22%3%4%

1%4%

1%

16%

1% 10%1%

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

4%

0% 0%

Percentage of Itemwise Inorganic Recycleable Waste Generation per Household per Day

Paper / newspapers / magazinesCardboardPlastic / polythene packagingPlastic (PET) bottlesHard plastic itemsRubberAluminium cansOther metals (steel,..)Textile fabricsCeramicsGlass bottlesLeatherCD/DVDsSandleWoodSholaSoapSandconcreteTooth Paste

1.78

20.11

7.01

14.97

4.03 5.21

0.29 0.09 0.01 0.06 0.67 0.06

Grams

Itemwise Hazardous Waste Generation per Household per Day

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5.5 Remaining Mixed Waste Generation

Remaining mixed wastes are not fully compostable or recyclable without any treatment or

process. In this category, maximum waste generates as soiled tissue paper. Diaper and

pads are also found of quite same quantity. In the area, from a household, 125.68 grams

soiled tissue papers generate in a day and 120.74 grams diaper, pads generate in a day.

Besides significant amount of heavily soiled packages and soiled fabrics are also found.

Their quantities are respectively 112.77 grams and 97.77 grams. Some fish and meat,

bones are also found and the amount is 49.17 grams.

3%

37%

13%

28%

7%

10%

1%0%

0% 0% 1% 0%

Percentage of Itemwise Hazardous Waste Generation per Household per Day

Batteries

Light bulbs / fluorescent lights

Broken glass

Medical waste

Aerosol sprays

Electronic equipment

Paint

Rezor

Blade

Mosqueto Coil

Flooe Cleaner

Dish Wash

49.17

16.22

125.68112.77

120.74

6.79 4.41 0.61

22.57

97.77

0.01

Grams

Itemwise Remaining Mixed Waste Generation per Household per Day

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23% and 22% of the total remaining mixed wastes are respectively soiled tissue paper and

diaper, pads. Besides, 20% of the wastes are found as heavily soiled packages and 17% as

soiled fabrics.

5.6 Day wise Waste Generation

The survey is conducted in three consecutive days. It is found that in Friday maximum

amount of wastes are generated rather than the other two days. Maximum total waste

generates on Friday (1,832 grams/household) and total waste generation in other two days

is quite similar. Organic compostable is the maximum waste that generates in every day

compared to category wise waste generation. Though organic compostable and inorganic

recyclable waste generates maximum in Friday but hazardous waste generates maximum

on Saturday and remaining mixed waste on Sunday.

9%3%

23%

20%

22%

1%

1%

0%4%

17%

0%

Percentage of Itemwise Remaining Mixed Waste Generation per Household per Day

Fish and meat, bones

Cheese, dairy products

Soiled tissue paper

Heavily soiled packaging

Diapers, pads

Tea bags

Dirt, dust

Earthern Bawl

Coconut

Soiled fabrics

Cigaratte

OrganicCompostable

InorganicRecyclable Hazardous

Waste RemainingMixed Waste Total Waste

948

366

51

468

1832

846

328

75

549

1797

835

268

37

654

1794

Day wise Waste Generation in grams per Household

Friday Saturday Sunday

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5.7 Comparing Waste Generation in Households and in Embassies

The waste generation at household and embassy varies generally. Where in household

maximum waste generates of organic compostable category, there at embassy the

maximum waste generates of inorganic recyclable category. Total waste generation per

household per day is 1,853 grams but at the same case, in embassy, it generates only 684

grams.

6. CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION

The study found significant portion of the generated wastes are compostable which is very

useful to promote decentralized composting and associated marketing. VfW should

undertake extensive awareness raising of target clients for source segregation of wastes

which will reduce waste transportation cost and increase the life cycle of landfill. The

data was collected in three different working days both in holiday and working day but the

waste generation is influenced by occasion, seasonal shifting etc. Collected data was

analysed and recorded in windows Excel programme to be used in future to assess the rate

of achievements.

Total Organic WasteTotal Inorganic

Compostable Waste Total HazardousWaste Total Remaining

Mixed Waste Total Waste

174414

2670

684

905

317

55

577

1853

Waste Generation per Dayper Household vs per Embassy

Per Embassy Per Household

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Annexures

Annexure-1- Composition of the waste in Baridhara_DATA

– Please see email attachment