Prediction of generation rate of municipal solid waste in palestinian territories based on key factors modeling

Accurate estimation of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation rate is essential for an effective solid waste management program. These estimates help the municipalities plan their MSW labor force, recycling potentials and strategy, and waste disposal requirements. For a given family, waste generation rate per person is influenced by several factors, such as income, household (i.e., family) size, and seasonal variations. By taking the Nablus area in the West Bank (Palestinian territory) as a case study, the MSW generation rate was modeled as a function of three key independent variables: household income, household size, and seasonal variations. This was done using a simple linear model equation which was fitted using the Expert Choice 2000 modeling package. Model coefficients were obtained using real field data. Several key trends were observed based on the data collected and the model fitting. These include: i) the average daily MSW generation rate is between 0.9 and 1.3 kg. capita^-1. Day^-1, ii) MSW generation rates are higher in the summer than in the winter season, iii) MSW generation rate depended positively on both household income and size, although income dependency was stronger. Finally, a model equation was provided which gave the overall MSW generation rate for both the summer and winter seasons. This model was used to project the annual MSW amount generated in the Nablus District for the period 2005-2010.