Waste disposal and its tangible conversion into financial importance gets meaningful exposure

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Waste disposal and its tangible conversion into financial importance gets meaningful exposure

July 29, 2017, 6:49 pm

By Steve A. Morrell

Garbage disposal is now a critical issue facing the country and subject to its ongoing debate and critique, it is now time the whole subject receives tangible perspectives on its economic importance, says Dr. Upananda Vithanapathirana, Chairman, Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA).

Waste and its disposal was not the whole issue facing the country. What was of importance was its conversion to energy and its economic generation. Academics and experts who examine the subject in detail would ensure waste would not only be subject to disposal, but emerge as a conversion factor for reuse in many other forms, he noted.

Dr. Vithanapathrana was expressing his views at last Friday’s conference on the Economics of Garbage Disposal at the University of Colombo’s Economics Department.

Professor Ajit De Alwis of the University of Moratuwa, presenting the subject ‘Solid Waste and Technical Perspectives to Solid Waste Conversion’ initially drew two useful examples of solid waste conversion to energy as initiated in Singapore. The Singapore experience was incineration to energy, while the US example of waste disposal and its use on Staten Island centred on its conversion to power for economic gain.

In the local context, he said quite unfortunately, mismanagement and its repercussions led to the April 14 Meethotamulla tragedy when people should have been celebrating the New Year.

"However, rather than mull the past, it is now essential we look to the future and its possibilities", he noted.

Conversion of waste to energy meant 3,000 tons waste per day would convert to 80 MW power generation. Additionally, 65 percent bio degradable solid waste was part of the waste collection each day. Sequel to this fact was that, usable conversion of waste to compost, and waste to power far outweighed its disposable quantum into non use, he said.

There was now a processing plant for composting. Waste was also converted to bio gas. Given these possibilities, the government was working on given possibilities and quite contrary to the media viewpoint that government enterprises usually ends in failure, the professor averred this was not quite correct.

In this instance there was now meaningful action to give ongoing direction for greater clout to successfully ensure success for ongoing action, he assured.

Professor De Alwis also brought to bear the factual position that segregation of waste in homes was now essential and the indiscriminate dumping of waste and garbage on roads had to stop.

Engineer Shamindranath Fernando explained there were already garbage disposal plants or bio gas digestion plants built in various parts of the city, which had fallen into disrepair through ignorance on its uses or non concern.

In an extensive presentation on ‘Solid Waste Disposal’, he said that kitchen and industrial waste were two completely different subjects and should be adequately treated in separation. He cited the example of saw dust which was an ongoing problem in Moratuwa, and measures employed to deal with its control.

Merrilene Peramune, Investment and Business Focus in a no–nonsense presentation, said there was no reduction of industrial waste and its re-cycling due to lack of political will. Solid Waste Management was far from treated as an important area that needed continuous attention.

There was already a CESS vote available for effective treatment of garbage and solid waste. These funds were lying somewhere through non use. The private sector have made overtures to step in with investments but the end result was that lack of official enthusiasm resulted in inactivity, she pointed out.

Also at the head table were Professor Ven. Wijithapura Wimalarathana thera of the Economics Department, University of Colombo, Dr. M. G. Kularatna and Dr. Hemantha Premaratna, Economics Division, University of Colombo.