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Environmental Management of the Stung Mean Chey Solid Waste Disposal Site in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia
Thesis Abstract:
Stung Mean Chey dumpsite, the only disposal site in Phnom Penh City, is still being used now and will be full by 2010. There is an urgent need to manage this dumpsite so that its productive lifespan can be extended while waiting for a new disposal site. This study aimed to (1) describe the existing situation of the Stung Mean Chey solid waste disposal site in terms of selected biophysical and socioeconomic parameters; (2) examine the interaction of the different institutions that are involved in the management of the Stung Mean Chey disposal site; and (3) determine the perceived impact of the Stung Mean Chey dumpsite on the environment, health, and livelihood of the directly affected communities and waste pickers. The study’s methodology included collection of data and information through household and waste picker surveys, and key informant interviews. Data were also collected for selected biophysical parameters.
The analysis of current solid waste management of Phnom Penh City indicates that the system is inadequate and needs improvement from waste generation stage until the final disposal stage. Households in Phnom Penh generate an average waste of 487 g/person/day and the collection rate is 95 percent. The collection method is inefficient due to old and few collection vehicles. There is no waste discharge rule, thus people throw wastes anywhere after the collection service is done.
The average household size of the households and the waste pickers is almost the same (5-6 members). Most of the waste pickers come from rural areas. On the other hand, the average monthly income of the household respondents is lower than the average household income in Phnom Penh. Most of the households and the waste pickers are adversely affected by the environmental effects caused by the disposal site. Moreover, the physical environment such as groundwater, leachate, air, and noise pollution also contribute to the environmental problems.
Administratively, the roles and responsibilities of the relevant organizations are not clear. In general, the organizations lack an established system for promoting proper solid waste management, including the management of the Stung Mean Chey dumpsite.
During the interim period while the new disposal site is being constructed, the study recommends the promotion of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) for the households and strengthening the administrative organizations of the City’s solid waste management programs for extending the lifespan of Stung Mung Chey disposal site.