Financial Times

A workshop on management and utilization of organic waste presented by Prof Andreas Gronauer, a world famous expert in this field, will be held at the German Cultural Institute on June 26-28.

Prior to the workshop Prof Gronauer and Dr Jaya Perera (President of the German Alumni Association) will visit selected universities in Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission to discuss work carried out by them. The data could also be helpful to formulate a proper programme at the workshop. The recommendations will be submitted to relevant authorities Sri Lankan and to Germany, a statement from the Alumni Association said.

The quantity of waste generated by pollution and industry is increasing due to the enhanced activities and increasing population in Sri Lanka. The capacity and the capability of safe collection and disposal are not fully understood. Even though in developed countries the amount of waste generated is comparatively higher than developing countries like Sri Lanka, they manage this process well and also converting waste into money and getting some other benefits too.

“In Sri Lanka, many people still throw their waste garbage on the roadside for municipal trucks to collect them. With the very poor collection of waste by the authorities in Sri Lanka, this often lies uncollected. There is little social control in the neighborhood and the collecting crew lacks a certain understanding of the system. Non-collection and unsafe dumping of waste provide access to animal and scavenges and thereby opening an avenue for environmental and health problems,” a note by the organizers said.