Private Partnership of Solid Waste Management in the Palestinian Municipalities

Abstract

This study presented the issue of solid waste collection and dumping management, in the Palestinian local governments as represented by Municipalities. This issue was examined through measuring the feasibility of the existing status in the Palestinian municipalities and analyzing cost-revenues aspects of such service in selected Palestinian municipalities. In addition, the opinion of the Palestinian citizens as well as the perceptions of selected stakeholders towards major aspects of managing and collecting Palestinian municipal solid waste, were collected, including the concept of private participation. Other concepts and alternatives were explored regarding the best ways and means of implementing this complicated activity and make less expensive as well as more efficient. The participated stakeholders including the municipal management staff from selected Palestinian municipalities as well as Palestinian municipal residents.

Based on the findings of this study, it may be reported that the function of solid waste is still completely run by Palestinian municipalities, in spite of the fact that there is a private sector participating in offering some municipal services. The solid waste activity cost the Palestinian municipalities from 3% to 32% of the total budget. The majority of the municipal officials believe that the responsibility of covering- dumping the solid waste should be transferred to joint specialized councils which may be established among different municipalities. In addition, the issue of dumping the garbage after being gathered, and the shortage of garbage fees and the low collection efficiency are the major problems facing the solid waste activity faced by Palestinian municipalities. The Palestinian residences still prefer that municipal activities to be supplied by municipalities and not by private sector.

Keywords: Public- Private partnership, Solid Waste Management, Palestinian municipalities

JEL Classification: D79, H7, M48