In many developing economies where nearly (quite often more than) 50% of municipal solid waste generated is organic, controlling such organic fraction is considered a key to overcome waste management challenges.

IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET) invites Mr. Chathura Welivitiya, Chairman of the Human and Environment Link Progressive Organization (HELP-O) to share his experience in applying biogas technology for municipal solid waste management in Galle, Sri Lanka, addressing both waste and climate challenges through introduction of the simple and low-cost treatment method for organic waste.

Mr. Chathura is a leading environmentalist and community leader who have received a number of international awards for his contribution in improving urban poor housing, services and environmental conditions in Sri Lanka, including IYSH Memorial Award (2008) for dedication to improve the living standards of urban poor in Galle, Earth Care Award by The Times of India (2012) for Climate change of Mitigation & Adaptation among Asian Region, and the Guangzhou International Award (2014) for Urban Innovation.

Mr. Chathura delivered his presentation on "Biogas Application for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Sri Lanka" based on their low-cost and simple methods for both households and community-level. Revisiting the state of organic waste management in Sri Lankan cities, he discusses how biogas technology can be applied as one of the appropriate technologies, addressing both waste and climate challenges towards attaining SDGs.