Waste management in developed and developing countries: The case study of Umbria (Italy) and the West Bank (Palestine)

Abstract

A survey and a preliminary comparison were conducted between the waste management systems and schemes implemented in the Region of Umbria (Italy) and the West Bank (Palestine). The Region of Umbria operates in a wider political legal and economic supporting scheme, i.e., the one promoted by EU Directives. The West Bank showed all the typical economic, legal and political features of a developing country. From the economic point of view the incidence of the cost for waste collection and management with respect to the per capita GDP was 0.82% for the Region of Umbria and 1.2% for the West Bank. Although the incidence for the West Bank was higher, it was not enough to support the budget necessary for efficient waste management. A relevant aspect was the practically similar amount of organic waste generated per capita and per year in the two areas. The West Bank lacks infrastructures and adequate collection systems and there are no composting facilities. The number of mechanical sorting facilities was 0.034/105 inhabitants. The current recycling rate for the West Bank is about 6%. Some criticism about the sustainability of recycling and composting rates for the Region of Umbria are also highlighted. Some benefits for the West Bank, such as the introduction of home composting, are identified. This will affect both the amount and the costs of waste collected allowing the municipalities to allocate more money for separated collection of recyclables.