Introduction
Solid waste management has significantly gained attention in the present century. With the impacts of globalization, there is a persistent need for transformative mechanisms of solid waste management. Evidently, most nations continue to experience challenges in solid waste management. Particularly, the developing nations are the highly affected (Singh & Ramanathan, 2010).
Apart from the available waste management technologies, municipalities face various dilemmas. Specifically, this regards the choosing of either private or public system of solid waste management. Based on an article describing solid waste management in Canada, this paper focuses on this topic. The paper researches and examines the issue of privatization in solid waste management in Canada.
Argument on Privatization of Solid Waste Management
The article reveals crucial debates on the issue of privatization of solid waste management. Observably, there are present potential arguments on the issue of solid waste management. Generally, the debates are based on public and private management of solid waste (Kumar, 2009). Personally, I encourage the adoption and practice of privatization in solid waste management.
This decision is informed by the several advantages of a privatized system of solid waste management. As indicated in the article, privatization of the process leads to the realization of high levels of efficiency. Municipalities are able to integrate of enforce quality management systems due to this approach. Indicatively, the relevant municipality can adopt various transformative measures such as performance contracting.
Such initiative would enhance the capacity of private partners to manage and dispose all solid wastes according to the appropriate provisions. A privatized system of solid waste management enables full compliance by the organizations to various regulatory frameworks. Apart from this, the system allows an easier and flexible manner of conducting compliance monitoring initiatives (McDavid, 1985).
Various municipalities around the globe have failed to manage the solid waste in a proper manner. Therefore, privatization enables such municipalities to act as oversight authorities in the disposal and management of these wastes. The approach also minimizes the public expenditures on solid waste management. Thus, more municipal resources are saved and may be utilized in other development projects.
Privatization and Improvement of Service Quality
Privatization has a significant impact on service quality. The article clearly presents the outcomes on the service quality recorded from a privatized solid waste management system in Canada. It is simple to regulate and contract private firms (Uriarte, 2008). This process is attainable through provision of realistic and competitive service targets.
These targets must be provided or issued to all private firms involved in the management of solid waste. Through engagement of private partners, the solid waste management process becomes more compliant and simple. The municipality only has to provide competitive measures during bidding and p tendering processes.
The existence of several players within the private sector increases the rate of competition. Consequently, this situation also leads to the development of high standards for service delivery. The municipalities are more inclined to offering tenders in consideration of the capacity of individual firms to provide excellent and high quality service. However, it is imperative to note that privatization of solid waste management do not lead to a reduction of cost (Kumar, 2009).
Specifically, this is notable in the various private entities that are involved in waste management. They incur great expenses due to high competition and demand for strategic and more transformative solid waste management programs. The individual solid waste generators also have to pay expensively for the services of private firms.
The Community and Management of Solid Waste
There are several factors considered by a community in the adoption of a privatized or public system of solid waste management. Poor road networks make the public to advocate for privatization of the solid waste management (Anand, 2010). However, this decision is likely to be revoked whenever the collection costs for solid wastes increases.
Therefore, high collection costs charged by the private waste handlers make the community to shift to public waste management strategies. Increased compactness of solid waste increases the likelihood of the community to seek for a privatized system of waste management. Highly compacted solid waste might be difficult to transport, dispose or manage at household or community levels.
Effective transportation is a crucial component of solid waste management. However, most solid wastes might be difficult to transport. This depends on several factors including the nature of waste, availability of adequate and improved road network and other required equipment.
Regional proximity determines whether the community would opt for a privatized or public solid waste management practices. Facilities located far away from the residence areas of the community might increase the chances for a privatized waste management strategy (Uriarte, 2008). It is evident that the community plays a fundamental role in the determination and dictation of market options in solid waste management.
Some of their practices do not promote competitive bidding markets. Most private organizations involved in the management of solid waste are confronted by serious challenges. Analytically, these challenges emerge from the community factors.
References
Anand, S. (2010). Solid waste management. New Delhi: Mittal Publications.
Singh, J. & Ramanathan, A. L. (2010). Solid waste management: Present and future challenges. New Delhi: I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.
Kumar, S. (2009). Solid waste management. New Delhi: Northern Book Centre.
McDavid, J. (1985). The Canadian Experience with Privatizing Residential Solid Waste Collection Services. Public administration review, 602-608.
Uriarte, F. A. (2008). Solid waste management: Principles and practices : an introduction to the basic functional elements of solid waste management, with special emphasis on the needs of developing countries. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.