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USAID Turns Over Compost Laboratory to Colombo Municipal Council
U.S.-supported product eases solid waste burden and improves agriculture
Colombo, March 23, 2006: The United States today officially turned over a new laboratory to test the quality of compost made from Colombo’s municipal solid waste under a program that significantly reduces deposits at the city’s dump. Every day, a composting facility in Sedawatte turns 500 tons of garbage into 30 tons of compost that can be mixed or used directly in agriculture to improve the quality of imported chemical fertilizer.
The laboratory was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Colombo Municipal Council, which composts the waste in partnership with Burns Environmental Services Technologies, Ltd. Burns invested Rs. 600 million in the composing facility, which processes municipal waste for a Rs. 500 “tipping” fee per metric ton, and removes contaminants from biodegradable waste to produce useful agricultural-grade compost for use in paddy and tea fields.
The project began three years ago when the U.S. Asian Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) program of USAID sought means of reducing the stream of solid waste into Colombo’s dump. US-AEP helped to train the staff of the Colombo municipality, Burns Technology and the Western Province Waste Management Authority both in Asia and at the U.S. University of Minnesota.
Production of high-quality compost is a key to ensuring the sustainability of the business, and promoting compost in agriculture maintains a steady market for the finished product. The USAID grant to the municipality provided field and laboratory equipment to assure its quality and marketability.
“Disposal of solid waste is a real problem in Sri Lanka,” U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle said at a ceremony marking the handover of the laboratory. “This composting effort not only reduces the amount of garbage going to dumps, but also creates a product that helps improve soil conditions and crop growth. Poor waste management practices can also help decrease the incidence of diseases. We encourage other cities to adopt this win-win model.”
The U.S. Composting Council has recognized the program for its pioneering initiative in the region. After dedicating the laboratory, Mr. Entwistle presented Burns General Manager Sumith Jayewardene with a certificate from the Council, acknowledging his outstanding leadership, based on a recommendation of the University of Minnesota.
He noted that USAID is marking 50 years of partnership with Sri Lanka in 2006. In this anniversary year, programs such as the composting initiative continue to highlight the commitment of the United States to work with Sri Lankans to improve lives.