A framework for assessing the ecological sustainability of waste disposal sites in urban areas

Abstract

Waste disposal is inevitable worldwide and is the primary means for managing municipal solid waste (MSW) in developing countries. However, it poses serious threats to ecosystems and communities, and thus, the need for the sustainability of waste disposal sites (WDS) is eminent. Nonetheless, there are limitations in WDS sustainability evaluation: there is neither a universally accepted definition for it nor a methodology for its assessment, and indicators vary across fields. Therefore, this study aimed to define WDS ecological sustainability and develop a framework to facilitate the evaluation of the ecological sustainability of WDS. Baseline WDS sustainability indicators were first identified using the Kiteezi landfill in Uganda as a case study through 1) a review of the divers of waste generation, collection and disposal in Kampala City, 2) an environmental diagnosis using the EVIAVE methodology and 3) an evaluation of the landfill's socioeconomic contribution and potential impact of site closure on local community livelihoods. Finally, WDS ecological sustainability was defined as the site's capacity to take up waste without compromising the surrounding ecosystems' health and their abilities to self-regenerate or provide other ecosystem services. The EcoSWaD model comprises 35 indicators from five overall themes. location suitability, operational sustainability; environmental sustainability; socioeconomic sustainability and site capacity sustainability. The EcoSWaD combined all the different interpretations and indicators in the diverse fields of sustainability study or practice to facilitate a comprehensive and meaningful assessment. Testing the EcoSWaD model on Kiteezi landfill showed that the location, environmental, socioeconomic and site capacity themes had low values: 18.7, 19.1, 16.9 and 15, respectively. The operation theme had a very low value of 13.5, showing that the landfill's biggest sustainability concerns stem from site operation and the resultant impact on the environment, local community and site capacity. The overall Sustainability Score of 83.1 showed that the landfill's sustainability is low. The low sustainability score, coupled with the exceeded landfill capacity, indicate that it is not sustainable to continue operating the landfill. Hence, the most sustainable course of action is its closure.

Date of Award	2021
Original language	English