Investigating the challenges of municipal solid waste management in Iran from the experts’ perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluation of the municipal solid waste (MSW) management system is a necessary subject for promoting urban services. This study aimed to identify and prioritize the problems and deficiencies of MSW management in Iran. Materials & Methods: In this study, quantitative and qualitative methods have been used to achieve the goals. It used the scoping review in the quantitative section and the Delphi technique in the qualitative section. Results: According to the results obtained by the scoping review of scientific evidence in the quantitative section of the study, the average rate of Iran’s MSW generation in the last decade (2009-2019) was determined 0.745 kg/capita/day. The average composition of MSW in Iran estimated: organic material (68.42%), paper and cardboard (7.31%), plastic (9.80%), pet (0.99%), metal (1.59%), rubber (1.09%), textile (3.02%), glass (2.33%), wood (0.97%), and others (4.48%). By evaluating the current status of Iran's MSW it was revealed that the country currently does not have any clear and regular plans in the field of waste reduction. Programs of source separation are carried out occasionally in some cities. To improve the storage and maintenance phase, in recent years the municipalities have to place containers for mixed waste or wet and dry waste in cities. More than 90% of MSW is collected by the municipality. About 5-8% of Iran's MSW is recycled. Despite the efforts made for the processing and composting phase, there are numerous problems. About 71-84% of the total MSW in Iran is disposed (open dumping, landfilling and in some cases sanitary landfilling). In most Iranian cities, the principles of engineering and sanitary landfilling are not met. Based on the findings from the qualitative part of the study, the problems and deficiencies of Iran's MSW management were classified into 6 categories (managerial-executive, technical-specialty, financial, human resources, rules and regulations, and cultural-educational categories). The major problems of each category include: disregard for effective investment in culture, ignoring of the principles of waste management hierarchy, cost-efficiency imbalances, weak staff recruitment, the imbalance between crimes and punishments in the legal system of the country, and weaknesses in public education. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that solving the problems and challenges of Iranian MSW management requires multifaceted planning and interventions. Also, consideration and elimination of priority problems and deficiencies and reinforcement the strengths of Iran’s MSW management system can be effective in improving the performance of this system and improving urban services in this country.