Abstract:
Solid waste has become a critical issue with increasing population creating a
negative impact on environment. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices in
solid waste segregation and management in Eravur Urban Council. Proportionate sampling was
done and from five Grama Niladhari divisions a total of 100 households were studied. It was
found that average quantity of solid waste generated by households was 2.61 kg/day. Food
wastes topped the list where every household generated 2.06kg of food waste per day. Food
wastes were disposed by several methods such as disposal in urban council truck (30.35%), fed
to animals (29.46%) and buried in their home (25.89%).Yard wastes, plastics, paper, metals and
glass wastes were mostly disposed by households through the existing Urban Council collection
service. Only 0.93% of the household reused the paper. Eravur-01B households generated the
highest average quantity (3.17kg/ household /day) of solid waste among all five GN divisions in
the Eravur Urban Council. It was also found that 82% of the household heads believed that the
burning of waste makes health risk. 98% of the household heads concerned about disease (Eg:
Dengue, Malaria) that were related to improper storage and disposal method of waste. About
84% of the household were concerned about the service that provided by Urban Council. Public
education and teaching in school about waste management took the big responsibility to control
the waste blooming in Eravur Urban Council area. 18% of the household heads were not worried
about the waste disposal because of their personal issues like unemployment and high cost of
living etc. It is recommended that the households must be educated with proper solid waste
management practices and the government must intensify its proper solid waste management
education to increase the awareness and knowledge level of households on the collection
service.
