Solid Waste from Sanitation Facilities

Solid waste is frequently found in pit latrines and other sanitation facilities. It creates significant challenges in pit emptying and subsequent waste handling and poses a risk to health due to the solid waste’s contamination with faecal pathogens. The disposal of solid waste in sanitation facilities often results from a lack of awareness, the ease with which unwanted or problematic products can be disposed of in facilities that are close by and private, or simply from a lack of adequate waste management services. People may be further encouraged to drop solid waste into latrines in the absence of discreet on-site collection and disposal options in latrines, such as suitable waste bins. 

The solid waste in pit latrines includes anal cleansing materials (e.g. toilet paper or stones), household solid waste and virtually everything else people want to get rid of (and do not want to be seen discarding) including hazardous waste such as oils and grease, chemicals, batteries, medical waste, clothing items, condoms, menstrual hygiene products, incontinence or baby diapers. Pit latrines offer a discreet place to discard items considered embarrassing or taboo, making them a ’catch-all’ waste receptacle for logistically or socially awkward items.

Sanitation facilities rely on regular emptying and transport. This is severely constrained by the accumulation of solid waste in pits and tanks which can double the time and money required to empty them. The waste accumulating at the bottom of the pit reduces its functional volume, increasing the frequency of pit emptying. The presence of solid waste usually requires more manual handling by emptying operators, increasing the risk of contamination and exposure to human faeces. During pit emptying, solid waste can cause clogging, splashing and blocking; it may have to be removed manually (e.g. using rakes) before desludging. Some devices are available for pit emptying which immediately shred the solid waste during emptying. Others are designed to exclude rubbish and push the solid waste away from the sludge suction pipes, leaving the rubbish in the pits and sucking out the sludge into a transport container. However, waste gets stuck in emptying devices, especially sheet-like materials such as plastic or fabric; larger waste items (e.g. bottles or shoes) tend to remain in the pit. Extracting, unsticking and removing waste from emptying tools is a manual task, forcing pit emptiers into direct contact with faecal sludge and spillages. 

Service providers face numerous physical, chemical and biological hazards, such as slips and falls, sharp objects contained in the sludge, heavy loads and exposure to pathogens. Health and safety protocols and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are therefore essential for emptying and transport workers. PPE should include gloves, overalls, rubber boots, safety glasses, masks and hard hats X.4. Hand washing facilities must also be provided. Due to its faecal contamination, solid waste collected from sanitation facilities is not suitable for reuse and recycling and should be handled with care. It should be transported directly to controlled waste pits U.8 or controlled disposal sites or landfills U.9 and disposed of. 

Reliable and convenient alternative waste management systems prevent or discourage solid waste disposal in sanitation facilities. Additionally, design amendments can be made, such as decreasing the hole sizes to prevent larger items from entering the pit latrine (although mechanised emptying equipment often needs space and narrower pit holes can prevent them from operating). 

Solid Waste in Drainage Systems

Solid waste accumulates in drainage systems due to indiscriminate rubbish dumping into open drains and water bodies, inadequate solid waste collection services or insufficient maintenance and cleaning of drainage networks. Uncollected solid waste spreads and, if left on the roadsides, ultimately finds its way into drainage systems where it accumulates. Most solid waste originates from households, street litter and construction debris. 

Drainage systems are designed to quickly and effectively remove surface water from an area, preventing stagnant water and flooding. Accumulated waste reduces the profile of the drainage channel so it can no longer drain as much water as it was designed for. Drainage channels that are blocked, or have reduced capacity, increase the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall; they can cause backflows and overflows and potentially damage property. Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for vectors such as mosquitos, potentially spreading diseases like malaria and dengue. In addition, decomposing waste releases harmful greenhouse gases and the leachate from the waste can pollute soil, groundwater and surface water sources.   

 Accumulated waste in drainage systems has to be regularly removed. This can be done through community clean-up campaigns, cash for work activities or by directly engaging local service providers. Waste removers must be provided with proper PPE X.4. As drainage waste is soiled and potentially contaminated by pathogens it should not be reused or recycled but safely disposed of in controlled waste pits U.8 or controlled disposal sites or landfills U.9. 

Reducing and Improving Waste Disposal

Preventing waste from entering the latrine pits and drainage systems is critical. It starts with avoiding or reducing waste P.1 so that as little waste as possible is produced. Providing reliable and convenient alternative waste management systems also prevents or discourages solid waste disposal in sanitation facilities and drains. People need easy access to suitable storage facilities near where they produce the waste and live. Appropriate facilities include storage bins in households S.1, public litter bins S.3 or shared communal storage facilities nearby S.2, ideally with separate collection options for hazardous waste that may otherwise end up in pits and drains. Waste bins placed inside the toilet allow for the discrete disposal of menstrual and incontinence waste. Collection services need to be reliable with regular collection and transport  C , dedicated treatment and recycling sites  T , and use and disposal facilities  U . 

Hygiene promotion, awareness-raising and information campaigns are essential to educate communities about proper waste disposal. Through community engagement and consultation, people’s needs and preferences can be better understood and a more appropriate waste management system established. Information signs can be placed in latrines to discourage waste disposal in pits. Awareness can be raised about the negative impact of inappropriate solid waste disposal in drains. Community engagement methods include focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observations and transect walks X.6. Appropriate and accessible waste storage and improvements throughout the domestic waste management service chain all contribute to preventing solid waste from entering these essential facilities in the first place.