Potentials for Recycling Residential Solid Waste in Mosul City

Sample survey conducted by the authors in Summer-Autumn 2008 shows that Mosul City generates nearly 620 tons of residential solid waste (RSW) daily . Over 80% of that quantity is food waste . Since food waste is basically an organic matter, it qualifies as the main input in the production of compost . Thus if it were possible to suitably separate food waste from the rest of RSW generated in Mosul City, it would be in the interest of the Directorate of Mosul Municipality(DMM) to consider acquiring a Compost and Recovery Plant specific to Mosul City , with an initial rated capacity of 1000 tons of compost a day . However, the biological and mechanical treatment of residential (and commercial) solid waste does not relieve the DMM and the Council of Ninevah Governorate of the responsibility for giving top priority to the establishment of an Integrated Solid Waste Management system, with the sanitary landfill being its center piece.