Household Solid Waste Management and The Impact of Urban Health of Rajshahi City Corporation

  ABSTRACT : The rapid urbanization of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), Bangladesh, has significantly strained its household solid waste management (HSWM) systems, creating adverse consequences for urban health, environmental integrity, and municipal efficiency. This dissertation investigates the linkages between existing HSWM practices and urban public health in RCC and explores economically viable, socially inclusive strategies to transform waste into valuable resources. Employing a mixed-methods approach—including household surveys, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and cost-benefit analysis—the study identifies key systemic weaknesses in RCC’s current waste infrastructure. Only 45–50% of household waste is formally collected, while the remainder contributes to open dumping, blocked drains, and vector breeding—exacerbating waterborne diseases, respiratory infections, and environmental degradation. Economic modelling reveals that decentralized composting units, small-scale anaerobic digestion (AD), and community-level Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are financially feasible. For example, a 20 t/day composting unit could generate a net benefit of USD 200,000 annually; AD facilities offer energy returns with payback periods of 3–3.5 years. Combined, these systems could divert over 50% of household waste, reduce public health burdens, and create 200–300 sustainable jobs. Further revenue opportunities include compost sales to peri-urban farmers, recyclable recovery for regional markets, and carbon offset credits via methane avoidance. However, barriers such as budget constraints, volatile commodity prices, and limited private sector incentives hinder system transformation. The dissertation proposes a phased, public-private-partnership (PPP) driven model: beginning with low-cost pilots in priority wards, scaling through digital monitoring and inclusive policies, and culminating in regional waste-toresource infrastructure. Drawing from best practices in cities like Pune, Curitiba, and Seoul, the research outlines a roadmap for RCC to transition from linear waste disposal to a circular, health-focused urban economy. By reimagining waste as a resource, RCC can unlock environmental, economic, and public health co-benefits— contributing to a more resilient and liveable urban future.