Fig. 11.3. General view of the communal waste depositions (Barótfi 2000)

In some cities, decentralized pre-collection has proven effective in achieving increased collection rates. For example, the kampongs (villages) of Indonesian cities have formal responsibility for primary collection, the waste from each kampong being delivered to a transfer station or temporary storage point for collection by the city service.

Waste collection methods vary widely among different countries and regions. Domestic waste collection services are often provided by local government authorities, or by private companies in the industry. Some areas, especially those in less developed countries, do not have a formal waste-collection system. While waste transport within a given country falls under national regulations, trans-boundary movement of waste is often subject to international treaties. A major concern to many countries in the world has been hazardous waste. The most important waste collecting methods are the following:

Open dumping: it is the most widespread method of solid waste disposal in the region and typically involves the uncontrolled disposal of waste without measures to control leachate, dust, odour, landfill gas or vermin. In some cities, open burning of waste is practised at dumpsites. In many coastal cities, waste is dumped along the shoreline and into the sea.

The scarcity of available land has led to the dumping of waste to very high levels; waste thickness is often over 12 metres and may be over 20 metres. An additional hazard on uncontrolled dumpsites arises from the build-up of landfill gas (predominantly methane), which has led to outbreaks of fire and to adverse health effects on workers and adjacent residents.