Solid Waste Management Study for Some West Libya Regions (Case Study)

Abstract

The increased population density in the western region of Libya, the resulting development of urban, commercial, and industrial development, the improvement of the standard of living and consumption of individuals, and the resulting environmental problems accompanied by the accumulation of waste in the streets of cities and residential districts. This is because the proper scientific methods of solid waste management have not been followed. The study aims to highlight the direct and indirect environmental impacts of poor solid waste management in Zawiya and adjacent areas and to examine the consequences of the random dumping of wastes at abandoned offshore quarry sites that were previously used for the extraction of limestone (brick) and to identify the size of the solid waste buried in quarries, which is estimated at approximately Jood-daim Beach (607,500 tons), Al-Metered Beach (810,000 tons), and Surman Beach (405,000 tons). The pollution of the surrounding environment and the distortion of the beautiful view of beaches, not to mention the emission of toxic and unpleasant gases, as well as the spread of harmful rodents and insects, has been compounded by the pollution of groundwater near the sites mentioned by the high concentrations of some toxic elements, the most important of which are nickel, manganese, and magnesium elements. The study classified the sources and types of solid waste in the region, and the research included a set of recommendations that can be relied upon in improving the environmental situation in the region.