Solid wastes generation and its management in tourist destinations of Sri Lanka

In the recent decade (2009-2019), the tourism industry has become a major driving force Sri Lankan economy. It accounts for 12.6 % of the country's GDP and is considered one of the significant employment generators in the service sector. However, it is an industry that generates a decent amount of solid waste, but a few research findings rely on this to verify. Hence, this review study aimed to identify, quantify, and characterize different types of waste in major tourist destinations of Sri Lanka with adopted management strategies.   Solid waste generation in touristic locations is varied between 1 to 12 kg per guest per day, which mainly depend on the tourist attributes, the season of the year, and the prevailing environmental legislation of the country. The management of solid waste in tourist destinations is particularly problematic due to climatic conditions, topography, financial restraints, planning issues, changing consumption patterns, transient population, and seasonal variations in solid waste quantity and composition. Improper waste management methods, lack of essential facilities, underestimation of actual waste generation rates, and inadequate management and technical skills are the key factors attributed to the poor waste management of developing countries like Sri Lanka. Overall, the literature concludes that the proper management of solid waste would enhance the sustainable development of the tourism industry and economy of Sri Lanka.