IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOLID WASTE TREATMENT PLANTS VIA INTEGRATED SYSTEM APPROACH: A CASE STUDY ON MANISA.

This study investigates the ways of improving the effectiveness of the recently constructed waste treatment plants in Turkey. Many municipalities have made large public investments on modern solid waste treatment plants. These plants, designed to process hundred tons of waste per day, positively contribute to both the environment and the economy. However, the inefficiencies in other waste management activities (e.g. waste collection, transportation) could limit these plants' contributions, making it a priority to identify and remove the bottlenecks in the municipal solid waste system. This study examines the municipal solid waste system of Manisa, including the recently constructed Uzunburun Solid Waste Treatment Plant. Interviews with municipal public managers were conducted to shed light on bottlenecks that could limit the effectiveness of Uzunburun Plant. Then, integrated solid waste management framework was used to reveal possible ways to remove these bottlenecks. According to results, socio-cultural issues are of prime importance; however, the effects of actions addressing these issues are only observable in the long-term. Nevertheless, the results show that improvements can be made in a shorter-time period through some technical, legal, and institutional steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]