A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources & Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994

A study is conducted on the existing municipal solid waste management system in the city of Yangon. Special emphasis is given to the commercial and residential areas. The city is producing solid waste 1510 tons/day, out of which Yangon municipal authority collects 484 tons/day with the collection efficiency of 32% resulting acute problems in health hazard and environmental degradation. Major weaknesses are identified. The organizational structure is weak, collection methods are ineffective, vehicles are insufficient; and. foreign exchange is limited to import collection vehicles and spare parts from abroad. An attempt is made to find alternative systems appropriate to the present situations, for collection improvement. Economic Costing Procedure is used to find the least-cost option, and comparison between proposed and the existing system is studied on the basis of Cost-Benefit Analysis. A proposal of more efficient collection system is forwarded. The proposed system is estimated to reduce up to 42% of the present total expenditure used on the collection services by the Cleansing Department under Yangon City Development Committee. In the proposed system, labor-intensive waste collection system, suitable for a developing country, is introduced. More vehicular force with the container-hoist handling system is used to increase collection efficiency and to promote labor and vehicular productivity.