رسائل ماجيستير
English
2022
Waste composition assessment and vendor behaviour survey for implementing sustainable waste management system in Al-Mawaleh Vegetable and Fruit Market
Hameed Sulaiman, Dalal Hilal Ali Al-Busaidiyah , Sivakumar Nallusam
كلية العلوم-جامعة السلطان قابوس · عمان
Al-Mawaleh Market is a regional wholesale market for fruits and vegetables that supplies produce to all governorates of Oman. The wholesale shops in this market generate approximately 700 tons of solid waste (SW) per month. The collection and disposal of such large quantities of waste require careful planning and frequent adjustments by the city's waste management authority. Baseline data on solid waste generation rates and composition characteristics are essential for effective waste management strategies aimed at minimizing environmental impacts.
Vendor awareness of waste generation and their general behavior in complying with basic disposal procedures set by local authorities within the market premises play a critical role in the success of waste management programs.
Methodology
Waste sampling was conducted over four distinct periods: Summer, Winter, Ramadan, and Eid festivals. On each sampling day, waste was collected twice—once in the afternoon and again in the evening. A total of 2,160 solid waste samples were collected from 45 shops.
Results and Findings
The study found that organic waste, primarily fruit waste, constituted the largest portion of the total waste generated, accounting for 39.20%, followed by vegetable waste (31.49%), and plastic waste (12.83%). Cardboard (7.65%) and wood waste (8.85%) were the least prevalent due to their high reuse potential among market vendors.
The volume of waste generated varied significantly across different seasons and special occasions, with the highest production observed during the Ramadan period. This seasonal fluctuation was statistically verified and is likely due to variations in supply-demand dynamics and consumption patterns associated with seasonal and cultural events.
Proximate analysis of the organic waste revealed high mineral and elemental content, with a moisture content of 84.47%. Such high moisture levels can lead to the emission of potent greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄), at landfill sites, particularly in the absence of sustainable energy recovery technologies. Given that 70% of the market's waste is decomposable organic matter (mainly fruits and vegetables), it represents a significant potential feedstock for energy production.
Implementing waste management strategies such as composting, recycling, and energy recovery can substantially reduce the amount of solid waste currently being sent to landfills.
Vendor Survey and Awareness
To assess the awareness and practices of market vendors, a survey was conducted across 60 shops, with 120 respondents participating in the study. The results indicated that most vendors have limited awareness of sustainable solid waste management practices, posing challenges to waste segregation and the implementation of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles.
Despite this, 95% of vendors expressed support for solid waste management initiatives within the market. The survey also highlighted the need for any awareness campaigns, educational programs, or training initiatives to consider the demographic and educational backgrounds of the vendors. Furthermore, the identification of effective communication channels is critical to the success of such interventions.
Conclusion
Currently, the lack of waste segregation at Al-Mawaleh Market presents a major obstacle to recycling efforts and may hinder future recycling initiatives. However, the data presented in this study provides a valuable baseline for developing a national framework for solid waste accounting and management. Expanding this research to encompass all wholesale markets in Oman could offer strategic insights for implementing sustainable waste management systems across the country.