The increase of urbanization, population growth, and economic expansion generates a mounting quantity of solid waste in many developing countries. Solid waste management is one of the critical problems in Egypt. Currently, more than 95 million tons of solid waste have been generated from various sectors in Egypt. Per capita waste generation is from 0.2 kg to 0.6 kg which varies depending on household and economic size of the population.
Assiut governorate is one of the deep-rooted governorates with area of 25926 Km2 representing 2.6% of Egypt area with total estimated population of 4.4 Million. The amount of waste collected from Assiut is 635.224 tons/year from 11 Markaz, including: 11 cities, 2 districts, 55 rural Local Councils, 235 villages and 1083 hamlets. Assiut has two sites for Mechanical/Biological Treatment (MBT) of waste and landfill in Assiut and Qusiya.
Solid waste management (SWM) in the governorate is the overall responsibility of the governorate and its affiliated municipalities, districts and Local Councils. Recently, in 2017 a new organizational structure in the governorate is responsible for the SWM planning, as well as for the monitoring of the services and operations. Central Agency For Organization & Administration approved the new Solid Waste Management organization (EEAA, 2018).
This paper provided detail analysis of the status of solid waste generation, management, challenges and solution for solid waste management in Assiut Governorate.