Identification and quantification of major components of waste diversion and their recovery rates in current waste management system in Peshawar, Pakistan

Waste diversion (WD) is an integral part of modern solid waste management (SWM); however, like many developing countries, it remained ignored by the municipalities in Pakistan. Consequently, final destination of several valuable items in waste stream ends up at landfill. Most of the municipalities are not aware of waste diversion and its importance. Therefore, the study is designed to identify and evaluate potential components of WD that exist in SWM and also to assess current rate of recovery of individual component and overall WD rate. In order to identify and quantify valuable items in waste stream, MSW generation and characterization were carried out at source and landfill site as well. Quantification of individual component calculated from characterization, while rate of waste diversion is calculated by using an equation as mentioned in methodology. It is concluded that a city generates 967.33 tons/day of municipal solid waste and generation rate 0.474 kg/capita/day. Only 125.00 tons/day (13.17%) of valuable items are recovered from the waste stream, while 840 tons/day (86.81%) end up at landfill site without any treatment. The main WD components in Peshawar are reuse (13%), recycling (50.75%), RDF/mass burning (31%), and food waste using as livestock fodder (16%). Composting being important of WD is recorded 0.00% in the city. This study will assist waste management authority and will also motivate government to make policies that encourage waste diversion.