A background study for the establishment of a solid waste management program for Jordan

This dissertation analyzed and evaluated the solid waste management practices and laws of Jordan in relation to their impact on human health and the environment, while considering economic and technical feasibilities.;Existing solid waste management and practices in Jordan are found to be inadequate and unhealthy, having a severe impact on public health and the environment.;A comprehensive solid waste management program for Jordan is outlined. The selection of the program gives consideration to the country's social, cultural, geological, geographical, climatic, technical and financial resources.;The recommended solid waste management program consists of proper methods for collecting, storing, transporting, processing and disposing of solid waste.;Recommendations for the establishment of disposal methods such as incineration and sanitary landfills are discussed. Incineration and use of hazardous waste landfills are discouraged as a disposal method for hazardous waste. This decision considers the country's type of waste and its climatic, geological, and cultural conditions. Composting, recycling, waste minimization, waste trade among industries and rotary kiln solid waste fuel driven for heat recovery technologies are recommended as alternatives for processing and disposal of solid waste due to their simplicity, relatively low cost, and benefits.;Recommendations are made to establish environmental laws for monitoring industries as to their compliance with hazardous waste handling and disposal practices.;In most recommended methods of handling and managing solid waste in Jordan, the current methods stressed the use of more personnel and less equipment, because of a lack of equipment and an abundance of labor in Jordan.;Projects were prioritized as to their effect on public health and the environment, as well as on Jordan's financial, technical and cultural constraints.