regional training course on solid waste management

8/8/2019 Regional Training Course on Solid Waste Management

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REGIONAL TRAINING COURSE ON

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Amman, Jordan, 25 March to 6 April 1995

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

REGIONAL CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES (CEHA)

Amman, Jordan

July, 1996


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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................1

2. TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS...............................................................................2

2.1 A global and regional (EMR) overview of solid.................................................2

waste management

2.2 Environmental pollution and health implications.................................................2

of solid waste

2.3 Solid waste surveys: quantities, sources and composition...................................2

2.4 Planning and management of storage systems.....................................................3

2.5 Waste collection vehicles and systems................................................................3

2.6 Clinical waste management................................................................................3

2.7 Computer aided design of solid waste storage,...................................................4

collection and transportation systems

2.8 Solid waste minimization, separation and recycling............................................4

approaches and options

2.9 Role of community participation in solid waste management..............................4

2.10 Information management for municipal solid waste............................................4

management services

2.11 Waste collection vehicle scheduling and management........................................5

2.12 Siting, design and evaluation of sanitary landfills...............................................5

2.13 Development and use of checklists/methods for................................................6

evaluating disposal sites

2.14 Selection and use of appropriate waste disposal................................................6

manpower and equipment

2.15 Feasibility, planning and management of composting in....................................6

Eastern Mediterranean Region

2.16 Composting in Kuwait : A case study..............................................................7

2.17 Incineration as a waste disposal option in .......................................................7

Eastern Mediterranean Region


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2.18 Evaluation of course.......................................................................................7

3. SITE VISITS.............................................................................................................8

4. COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS................................................................................8

4.1 Egypt..............................................................................................................8

4.2 Islamic Republic of Iran...................................................................................9

4.3 Iraq.................................................................................................................9

4.4 Jordan.............................................................................................................9

4.5 Morocco.......................................................................................................10

4.6 Oman............................................................................................................10

4.7 Pakistan.........................................................................................................11

4.8 Sudan............................................................................................................11

4.9 Tunisia..........................................................................................................11

4.10 Republic of Yemen.......................................................................................12

5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................12

5.1 Conclusions..................................................................................................12

5.2 Recommendations........................................................................................13

6. PLAN OF ACTION................................................................................................16

7. CLOSING SESSION..............................................................................................17

ANNEXES

1. Agenda...................................................................................................................18

2. Programme.............................................................................................................19

3. List of Participants..................................................................................................22


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1. INTRODUCTION

A Regional Training Course on Solid Waste Management was organized by the WHO

Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) with its Regional Centre forEnvironmental Health Activities (CEHA), Amman, Jordan, from 25 March to 6 April 1995.

Dr Saad Al Kharabsheh, inaugurated the Training Course on behalf of H.E. the Minister of

Health, Jordan. Eighteen participants and one observer from 11 countries of the Eastern

Mediterranean Region of WHO took part in the workshop. In addition, experts from the

University of Newcastle upon-tyne, the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab

Region and Europe (CEDARE), University of Jordan, Greater Municipality of Amman, and

WHO/CEHA Staff Members participated.

The main objectives of the workshop were to:

"train the trainers" in procedures and practices of solid waste collection,

transportation and disposal, various solid waste management technologies available;

review and acquaint them with the appropriate and available legislation, standards

and guidelines (national and international) related to solid waste management, landfill

design, operation and maintenance;

provide opportunity for discussions, site visits, exchange of experiences and success

stories, of participants in their respective countries;

train and acquaint the concerned technical staff with health hazards and implicationsof solid wastes and promote the establishment of national or local occupation and safety

health requirements and programmes.

A message from Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean

Region of WHO, was read by Dr M.Z. Ali Khan, CEHA Coordinator. Dr Gezairy pointed out

that every year more waste is produced in the urbanized and industrialized countries of the

Region. Inadequate storage, collection and disposal of such wastes continues to endanger public

health, as well as result in increased environmental hazards. Training of personnel, use of

appropriate technologies and modernizing equipment can reduce and even solve the ever-

increasing waste problems in their countries. He hoped that this course would train the trainers

on how solid waste can be managed by adopting safe, hygienic, environmentally sound andfriendly practices. Finally, he hoped for a successful and fruitful course with practical

recommendations for further follow-up.

Dr Saad Al Kharabsheh, on behalf of H.E. the Minister of Health, formally opened the

Training Course and welcomed the guests to Jordan. He stated that he appreciated CEHAs role

in holding such training courses and further emphasized that the problem of solid waste

management, especially medical waste, hazardous waste and abandoned tyres, had a high priority

in the countrys environmental strategy as well as action plan. He wished all guests a very

pleasant stay in Amman.


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After the introduction of participants and adoption of the agenda and programme (Annexes

1 and 2, respectively), Dr Abdel Kaher El Zaemey (Yemen) was elected as Chairman of the

Training Course, Mr El Sayed Al Araby Sarhan (Egypt) as Vice-Chairman and Mr Zafar Iqbal

Beg (Pakistan) as Rapporteur.

A list of participants is given in Annex 3.

2. TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

2.1 A global and regional overview of solid waste management

Dr Khan, Coordinator, CEHA, utilizing the global and regional literature resources,

presented the solid waste management situation globally and then reviewed the regional situation.

He presented information indicating that in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), solid

waste has 2-3 times higher organic content, moisture content and density and less paper, glass

and metal content than anywhere else in the world. Generation rates are 1/2 to 1/3 of the global

rates. In EMR only about 20% of solid waste is collected and 80% of that is disposed off by

open dumping. The percentage disposed of by dumping and uncontrolled land filling, recycling,

composting and other means are 80%, 0.5%, 0.5% and 19% respectively. He concluded that the

problem of solid waste is growing every year, requiring urgent attention by governments,

institutions, United Nations agencies and international organizations.

2.2 Environmental pollution and health implications of solid waste

Dr Anderson, WHO Temporary Adviser, in his presentation stated that solid waste contains

human pathogens from a wide range of sources. In addition, inadequate storage and collection

and poor treatment and disposal practices serve as ideal breeding sites for rats and flies, etc.,

which can act as passive vectors in transmitting diseases. He outlined the various population

groups which are exposed to the risk of disease, as well as the various routes by which the

diseases are transmitted to the groups referred to.

The solid waste practices which can be used in the management system to minimize or

eliminate health and safety risks were also discussed, including measures which should be taken

in the home, office and factory, during transport and transfer and finally at the waste treatment

(incinerator and composting) plants and the ultimate disposal location points, the sanitarylandfill. Emphasis was also placed upon the need to replace dumps with sanitary landfills and to

control scavenging in an unlicensed manner. In addition to health and safety problems, the issue

of environmental degradation was considered, including air pollution from incinerators and the

leachate and gases emanating from sanitary landfills.

2.3 Solid waste surveys: quantities, sources and composition

Mr Elliott, WHO Temporary Adviser, highlighted that planning an appropriate waste

collection and disposal system is dependent upon an accurate assessment of the waste


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composition. Comparisons were made of waste characteristics in different countries and over

time. The classifications of waste categories were outlined, together with detailed methodologies

for sampling wastes for physical and chemical classification.

2.4 Planning and management of storage systems

Dr Anderson pointed out that the handling, storage and processing of solid waste at source

is critical to the overall management process since it may have a significant effect on public

health, subsequent operations and the public's attitude concerning the operation of the overall

management system.

The presentation considered the relationship between the volume of the storage containers

with collection frequency and climate. It then went on to outline the factors which determine the

design of storage containers for home, office and industry, paying particular attention to odours,

aesthetics and disease prevention. Consideration was also given to the use of the storage system

to enhance or improve source separation to enable recycling and solid waste utilization to take

place conveniently and economically.

2.5 Waste collection vehicles and systems

Mr Elliott in his paper discussed the factors affecting the choice of vehicles used in waste

collection systems. He stressed the need for sustainability and interrelationship between local

storage vehicle type, road conditions, and haul distance. Comparisons were made on collection

vehicle efficiency with respect to waste density and loading rates.

2.6 Clinical waste management

Dr Anderson described clinical wastes as being among the most important of the wastes

produced in all societies and also which have a significant potential impact on the health of health

care workers, scavengers and the public. He outlined the main categories of waste produced in

the health care sectors, after defining exactly what this sector includes. Details were given of the

recommended methods for the safe storage of each category, and the on-site and off-site transport

to their treatment and disposal.

It was emphasized throughout that the key to safety is isolating the most infectious wastesfrom workers and the public and that consideration should be given to the ideal situation, that all

wastes generated in hospitals should be considered as "clinical" and disposed of accordingly,

even if this imposes an additional cost burden upon the hospital, the municipality or the

community. Finally, the various methods of pre-treatment and disposal were outlined although it

was stressed that when feasible, all clinical wastes should be incinerated in an incinerator

designed specifically for such a task. The only acceptable alternate is a sanitary landfill where all

appropriate measures are taken to dispose of the waste in a safe and aesthetic way.


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2.7 Computer aided design of solid waste storage, collection and transportation systems

Mr Elliott presented a detailed description of the Waste Generation System (WAGS)

computer program written for Habitat by Mennus Coffey Associates. The program was

described with the aid of a case study on Chania, Crete. Estimates had been made for vehicle and

labour requirements with their associated financial and economic costing.

2.8 Solid waste minimization, separation and recycling approaches and options

Mrs Akrouk, CEDARE, stated that the solid waste management problem had become one

of the pressing global issues. More and more waste was being generated and disposing of it

posed a global dilemma.

However, attitudes towards solid waste are changing worldwide. It is being recognized that

many valuable materials could be recovered from the solid waste stream by adopting the concepts

of waste minimization, recovery and recycling. In the process the amounts of waste that will

need ultimate disposal could be reduced, thus preserving landfill capacities and reducing risk to

human health and the environment. It is also being recognized that, through recycling, energy

and natural resources could be conserved and business and employment opportunities could be

created.

She gave an overview, along with some examples of solid waste recovery and recycling

that are taking place in the industrialized as well as developing countries. Solid waste recovery

and retrieval systems were also discussed and some points of recycling constraints were given.

Finally, the pilot project of "Paper-making at home" from indigenous plants, carried out by the

Zabbaleen in Mokattam, Cairo, and was assisted and documented in Arabic by CEDARE, waspresented.

2.9 Role of community participation in solid waste management

Dr Anderson in his presentation highlighted the fact that any successful system of solid

waste management is totally dependent on the willingness of the community to fully support the

approach taken. Different levels of participation were discussed associated with type of

collection and storage system specified. The issues associated with the interaction between

participation, public education and legal enforcement were also addressed.

2.10 Information management for municipal solid waste management services

Mr Malkawi, CEHA, and Dr Khan made the presentation in two parts. Part one dealt with

environmental health information resources available at CEHA. The subjects covered were:

CEHANET history and future plans; CEHA's documentation unit; information exchange

programme and services; data bases available at CEHA, and how to make use of these resources

in serving professionals and institutions working in solid waste management, and in

strengthening the national information exchange capabilities of existing information systems.

Special attention was given to the use of CD/ROMs in provision of recent literature on solid

waste management (two bibliographies of literature published in 1993/1994 on solid waste had

been compiled and are


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available upon request from CEHA). Part two introduced CEHA's reprinted document

Information Management for Municipal Solid Management Services as a good guide on

designing of information management systems. The following points were highlighted in this

part: role of information in solid waste management systems; types and categories of needed

information; detailed description of information that should be included in the informationmanagement system; and some important issues that should be taken into consideration while

designing information management systems.

2.11 Waste collection vehicle scheduling and management

Mr Al-Hishan, WHO National Temporary Adviser, in his presentation pointed out that

solid wastes have become one of the most difficult problems that threaten environment in over

populated cities. As the developing countries cannot transfer, successfully, the methods used in

the industrialized countries to treat solid wastes, they must use their available potential. They

must exploit the cheap labour available, and provide the trained technical staff members who are

qualified to perform treatment of solid wastes. Moreover, the importance of health education

among people must be taken into account. People must be fully aware of the risks of

environmental pollution risks. He said that this can be done through schools and universities.

The relevant concept must be incorporated in the academic curricula. Then, it should be possible

for the municipalities to reduce their expenditure costs and improve the environmental status in

the area.

He emphasized that if it is possible to produce the required tools and machinery locally, it

will surely help reduce the financial burden that has to be shouldered by the municipalities.

Since local machinery will be cheaper it will help municipalities save the hard currency thatshould be used in importing the required inputs of the development plans.

2.12 Siting, design and evaluation of sanitary landfills

Dr Anderson and Mr Elliott in their joint presentation said that sanitary landfill is a

method of disposing of most types of solid wastes, including domestic, industrial, commercial

and, if required, hazardous and clinical.

Sanitary landfill is defined as depositing the uncompacted waste in as small an area as

possible, compacting it in order to optimize the use of the volume available and covering eachday with an inert material of 150-200 mm depth. Once the final level has been reached the site

should be covered with 1 m of perforated impervious material (such as clay) and covered with

topsoil in order to prepare the area for final restoration.

They described the three basic types of landfill in use, namely the area, trench and cell

methods as well as described briefly the methods of lining such sites, the collection and

utilization of the gas produced and the methods of controlling and treating any leachate which

may be generated.


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2.13 Development and use of checklists/methods for evaluating disposal sites

Dr Anderson, utilizing the English version of a paper given by Mr Bani Hani in 1993,

identified a series of headings which were used to characterize the suitability of a site for landfill

purposes. A weighting system had been developed to allocate a point score to each heading.

Decisions on site selection may be made by comparing total point scores for each site.

2.14 Selection and use of appropriate waste disposal manpower and equipment

Mr Al-Hishan reviewed various categories of equipment currently being used by the

Greater Amman Municipality and the manpower requirements, based on existing landfill sites

around Amman, Mafraq, Irbid and Zarqa cities. He emphasized that the equipment and

manpower must be based on the type of waste, topography, local constraints and conditions.

2.15 Feasibility, planning and management of composting in the Eastern Mediterranean

Region

Dr Natour, WHO National Temporary Adviser, reviewed composting as a biological

process involving the microbial degradation of organic materials. He added that it is simply a

means of converting raw waste organic matter, (a potential source of foul odour and public health

problems), into an innocuous humus. Thus, composting is generally viewed as a solution to

waste management problems and as a means for improving soil quality.

In order to prevent the production of foul odours, breeding of flies, preservation of

nitrogen in the composted material and killing pathogenic agents, composting is carried out underaerobic conditions, using various processes. Composting processes vary from very simple, low

technology methods to high technology and continuous processes. Due to the high costs of the

highly mechanized composting processes, composting plants which depend on such high

technology had been closed and replaced by the simpler processes which are based on batch

composting in wind rows.

Moreover, composting is affected by various parameters, i.e temperature, aeration,

moisture, pH and particle size, as well as types and amounts of impurities in the material to be

composted. For proper and successful composting, pretreatment of compost materials, to rid it

from noncombustible materials, i.e. glass, plastic, rubber, steel and metals or rubbish, is of prime

importance. Also, maximizing the materials surface by minimizing the particle size (milling orshredding) constitutes a vital factor in good composting.

Owing to high cost and improper composting, most composting plants in the Region had

been closed. However, Egypt had established three 160 tonne capacity per day, composting

plants in 1984, using the wind row process. So far, composting in Egypt had proved to be

successful and the Government plans to establish more, similar plants.

2.16 Composting in Kuwait : a case study


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Dr Natour presented the case study based on a project during 1980/1981 which had

proved that municipal refuse in Kuwait was ideal for composting. Over 75% of such refuse is

compostable and contains food waste at a rate over 53%, most of which consists of cooked food,

fibrous shells, peelings and bread. Such nutritively rich refuse may have other important

utilizations, besides composting, depending on the method of handling.

As for composting, household refuse was found to contain a carbon:nitrogen ratio of 19-

40:1, depending on the percentage of paper and carton present in the refuse. Such

carbon:nitrogen ratios indicated the refuse to be of high quality for composting. In fact, addition

of nitrogen sources to compost material did not improve composting. Compost trials of such

refuse produced a high quality compost within relatively very short periods of time for each of

the composting methods used. So far, composting in artificially aerated bins and in naturally

aerated bins gave the best results.

Compost microflora was found to be highly adequate for good composting. The various

microflora populations isolated during various stages of composting, revealed bacteria as the

most dominant, followed by actinomycetes and fungi respectively.

Municipal composing conditions were often found to be inadequate. Thus, in spite of

composting for four to seven weeks, the municipal factory produced low quality compost. Such

compost, when compared with trial compost was found to contain a much higher percentage of

particles larger than 5 mm, have much lower water holding capacity, higher ash content, a high

rate of non-degradable impurities, higher levels of heavy metals and lower levels of plant

nutrients. Due to the fact that the factory became very old and it was not possible to make the

necessary corrections for better composting, the factory had closed within four years of this

study.

2.17 Incineration as a waste disposal option in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Dr Anderson indicated that incineration is an option which must be at least considered for

the disposal of solid waste in any large city. The shortage of low-cost land adjacent to cities, and

the ever increasing costs of transport to, and operation of, sanitary landfills may make

incineration a cost-effective option. The type of incinerators available and their various

advantages and disadvantages were outlined, together with the role which incineration may play

in the overall management of municipal solid wastes. He also discussed the management and

controls which must be considered for all emissions from an incinerator, not only the stack gasesbut also the liquid and solid discharges.

2.18 Evaluation of course

Dr Anderson compiled and presented the evaluation which showed that the overwhelming

opinion of the participants on the course was that they had found it very useful and that they

appreciated both the technical content of the lectures and the quality of the presentation. Of

maximum significance perhaps, was the fact that everyone found that the course was in some

way relevant to their current waste problems. All believed that they had benefited from the

course and


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that sufficient time had been made available for discussions although they were divided on the

usefulness of the site visits.

Generally the subject matter was considered to be theoretical rather than practical and

there was sufficient (or too much) handout material. Nobody found the course too difficult and

everyone benefited from exchanges of experience with both the lecturers and other participants.

There was universal agreement that some level of usefulness would be gained by all

countries represented and that the course would provide those attending with an opportunity to

pass on the knowledge gained to other with whom they work. They would now be able to take

appropriate decisions and apply new methods since they are better able to understand the various

options available to them in solid waste management. Overall the course was highly rated.

3. SITE VISITS

The course participants and advisers made a full day visit to the Al-Akaider and Rusaifa

sanitary landfills. Using the checklists, they noted various positive and negative factors dealing

with design, operation and maintenance aspects of both sites. These observations were then

jointly discussed in a group session and resulted in individual and useful improvement strategies

and approaches in view of each countrys situations.

4. COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS

4.1 Egypt

Historical concern about solid waste management and governmental concerns were

covered by various laws such as 38/1967, 39/1976 and 129/1982 including penalties and

punishments related to general cleaning and waste management. Recently a separate law, 4/1994

concerning all environmental affairs, was approved by the Government.

The main public health concerns and problems are:

air pollution resulting from accidental combustion, emissions of particulate matters, oxides of

sulfur and nitrogen.;

water pollution resulting from leachate from landfills and composting plants that reach

roundwater with heavy concentrations of organics and heavy metals;

public health hazards resulting from biological, physical and chemical agents exposure to

explosives, broken glass, nails, pins, wires, bones, smoke, animal and insect bites, virus,

bacteria, fungi, parasites and protozoa;

respiratory diseases, eye diseases, skin diseases, parasitic infections, accidental wounds and

dog

bites among people working in collection and transport;


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hazards from dangerous wastes like laboratory and hospital wastes.

4.2 Islamic Republic of Iran

Collection and disposal of urban solid wastes is primarily undertaken by municipalities(Ministry of Interior), while monitoring and surveillance of the health aspects of refuse disposal

is the responsibility of the Environmental Health Department affiliated to the Ministry of Health

and Medical Education, and the Environmental Protection Organization.

The local strategy for refuse collection and disposal includes a high technology compost

plant installed in Isfahan since 1989 with a capacity of 500 000 kg per day. The plant has

provision for recycling of plastic wastes for the time being, but more advanced equipment will be

installed for recycling of metals, glasses, paper and cardboard, in the future.

Regarding hospital and clinical refuse disposal, some hospitals are equipped with refuse

incinerators but this method does not function in big cities, because of air pollution problems,

therefore hospital and medical laboratory refuse is collected utilizing special procedures and is

subsequently buried in a sanitary landfill.

4.3 Iraq

The municipalities deal with the solid waste management because they are governmental

bodies which have all responsibilities for collection, transportation and disposal of the solid

waste. The legislation, restrictions and requirements of landfilling for ordinary and toxic

hazardous solid waste are issued by the Deputy Prime-ministers office in Iraq.

The number of landfills in Iraq is around 108 in the 15 governorates and the average

amount of solid waste produced by one person per day is 0.7 kg.

The amounts of solid waste produced in Baghdad city and 14 governorates during the first

half of 1994 were 1 650 000 and 8 601 745 tonnes per day respectively out of which only 439

000 tonnes was collected. The equipment available to deal with solid waste management consists

of 1204 pieces. The actual requirement is for 1885 pieces indicating a shortage of 681 thus

resulting in accumulation of solid waste in large amounts, increase in harmful insects and

rodents, bad smells and consequent effects on health and environment.

4.4 Jordan

Solid wastes will continue to be a source of environmental pollution unless scientific and

sound bases are considered in their management. These wastes constitute a large burden that has

to be shouldered by the municipalities' budgets and the costs of collection, transport and disposal

are very high. Prices for machinery required are also very high. Sound management and optimal

organization are just two factors that will assist in reducing the high costs incurred in solid waste

management. Last but not least, the education of people regarding pollution and ecological risks

is another main factor in a successful treatment and processing of solid wastes.

4.5 Morocco


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The management of solid waste is largely assured by the local governments with the

logistics of the Ministry of Environment. In the city of Rabat, population 880 000 inhabitants,

the management of solid wastes is assured by the cleaning services of the community and urban

communes. They collect 950 tonnes a day of solid waste of which 90% is of household origin

and therefore disposal is 25% composting and 75% burying. About 16 tonnes a day of recyclableproducts, of which 83.6% is cardboard, are collected through the acquisition of 1400 dustbins,

compressing dampers and a new rubbish dump (80 ha). Unfortunately negative repercussions on

the environment are noted due to bad conditions. Consequently the action plan which will

include three deadlines, short, medium and long-term should have as its principal orientations:

sensitization of the population for better conditioning and sorting from the beginning;

improvement of work and salary conditions of the waste collector; and

adequate reduction/elimination options.

4.6 Oman

Disposal of the various kinds of solid waste is a problem as there are many factors

affecting both environmental and human health. There are laws of environmental conservation

and the State makes great efforts to implement the best methods of solid waste disposal. Disposal

is done in three phases: collection, transportation and final disposal

With regard to collection, the municipal authorities are trying to provide the largest

possible number of small waste steel barrels of 200-litre capacity and large mechanical containersof 1.1 m

3. The municipalities use various vehicles for transportation of solid wastes. The

automatic vehicles which are used in towns crush and press the waste. The big trucks and small

vehicles are suitable for the remote areas. For off shore locations, such as islands, large boats are

used for transportation of waste. The process of final disposal is still being developed, so the

municipalities are using traditional methods in final disposal of waste at present, such as open

burning, burying or both. Waste that cannot be burnt, like solid hardware, old vehicles and

construction refuse are thrown in open specified areas.

Solid waste in the regional municipalities comes from domestic sources, slaughterhouses,

workshops, garages, old furniture and wood. They are disposed of at locations far away from

inhabited areas as specified by the municipality, where they are burnt in the open or buried orboth. The waste from livestock and poultry farms is transported by the farm owners and by the

municipalities, while tree cuttings and leaves are collected and burnt outside the farms in

uninhabited areas. Waste from hospitals and clinics, although hazardous, is disposed of in the

municipality waste bins and then transported by municipality vehicles to the final dumping area.

Only large hospitals use closed burning areas for disposal of their solid waste. Construction

refuse is transported to specific locations by the contractors. Old vehicles are collected and

transported to a specific location near the dumping areas. Currently, some private firms demand

these steel structures for reuse. Industrial waste is managed by the Ministry of Commerce and

Industry and oil waste is treated by Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.

4.7 Pakistan


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In accordance with Federal Government policy on local government affairs, provincial

local governments frame rules for local urban and rural councils. The local councils are

autonomous bodies and are responsible for solid waste management. The municipalities levy

taxes for economic development and solid waste management. There is a system of refuse

storage, collection and disposal. The efficiency and effectiveness of each municipality and its

organization up varies from city to city.

4.8 Sudan

Fifteen percent of the population of 25 million are living in urban areas, and the other

85% live in rural localities. Refuse collection and disposal has been organized governmental

work since the beginning of this century, when the British colonizers first adopted that system in

big towns in the country by using animal carts. Since 1951 local councils have held the

responsibility for improvement of sanitation and so refuse collection and disposal is a local

council responsibility. The methods of collection and disposal vary from one locality to another,

but any system adopted should ensure efficiency and safety of means selected. Community

participation has an important role in environmental activities in Sudan, and it helps in disease

control and removal of accumulations of refuse.

4.9 Tunisia

The Tunisian strategy on solid waste management is aimed at three targets: preventive

measures, reinforcement of curative interventions and improvement of environmental control.

The Solid Waste Management National Programme (PRONAGDES) is one of the curative

measures chosen by the government to manage solid wastes, protect natural resources, providevarious cities with an efficient system for solid waste management, encourage private sector

investment in this field, and issue new legislation for the solid waste sector. Ministries, agencies

and institutions involved in the management of solid wastes are: Ministry of Interior, Ministry of

Environment and Land Use Planning, Ministry of Public Health, Sanitation Office (l'ONAS),

Environment Protection National Agency (ANPE) and the municipalities.

The production of municipal solid waste is about 880 000 tonnes/year for 4.8 million city

dwellers, with an average production of 500g/day and a growth rate of 1.3% per year. Study has

shown that the techniques of composting and aerobic decomposition before dumping are the best

methods to treat municipal solid waste in Tunisia. The National Strategy Plan on Solid Waste

Management foresees that 50% of municipal solid waste should be eliminated by the year 2005,and 100 % by the year 2025. The success of the National Strategy Plan for Solid Waste

Management depends on providing financial resources combined with private sector investment

in this field.

4.10 Repulic of Yemen


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The cleaning Department of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Urban Planning

has responsibility for solid waste management programmes in the municipalities. Under the

present system, environmental problems have been low on the list of national priorities, due to

inadequate financing to cover the total cost of the operations. Solid waste is generated at an

average of 0.5 to 0.7 kg per person per day, with a density of 0.02 to 0.35 kg per litre. The

composition of solid waste in the city of Sana'a is: vegetable 49.3%, plastic 8.6%, metals 2.3%,bones 1.2%, textiles 3.6%, glass 1.2%, paper 8% and miscellaneous 8.1%.

5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusions

Solid waste management is one of the most pressing environmental health problems

requiring immediate and urgent attention in the coming decades by all Member States and

sustainable solid waste management options need to be identified for adoption. Sanitary landfill

still offers an acceptable and practical solution to the disposal of municipal solid waste. Solid

waste management in rural communities is not given a sufficiently high priority while more than

50% of the population in the Region live in such areas.

However, while waste minimization at source, recycling, recovery and reuse options can

offer practical solutions to solid waste problems, there are often no incentives available to the

waste generators and to industry. Basic guidelines, information and data on solid waste

management problems, health risks, appropriate local technologies and environmental health

needs are not available for Member States in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This could berectified by the production of an appropriate book or manual by WHO. Likewise, adequate laws

and regulations, policies, strategies and plans of action for the management of solid waste do not

exist in most of the Member States. Finally, there is a great shortage of trained personnel in the

field of solid waste management and adequate protection against "occupational hazards and

health risks" are not available.

Successful operation of any solid waste management system depends mainly on the

involvement and participation of the public. The level of cooperation, participation and

improvement in collection services, especially neighborhood cleanliness, can be increased by

strengthening of environmental health awareness through the mass media and specifically

designed community education programmes. The following actions, at national level wererecommended:

Some legislation exists, in most countries of the Region, for waste management, however,

it was felt by the participants that the existing legislation in all countries needs to be reviewed

and updated to reflect current waste management issues, particularly to regulate industrial and

hazardous wastes. The enforcement of waste management legislation needs to be considerably

strengthened with sufficient human and financial resources. In some countries this has already

been addressed by the establishment of environmental protection agencies whose responsibilities

include waste management, but they have not yet been in operation long enough to assess their

effectiveness and impact.


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5.2 Recommendations

Community involvement, participation, education and awareness

1. Member States should promote, and seek the assistance of EMRO/CEHA in, setting up andplanning public participation and awareness programmes and facilities.

2. Central governments should develop well-researched and forceful public educationprogrammes, in close cooperation and consultation with local municipalities or executing

agencies.

3. Governments and local authorities should hold education and public awareness programmes inrural areas.

4. Mass media (television, radio, press, etc.) should be used to emphasize the need for and role ofpublic participation in the efforts related to solid waste collection, storage and its implications

for health and economics.

5. Simple teaching materials, in national languages, should be prepared for schools. Schoolchildren should be encouraged to participate in environmental health improvement projects.

6. Academic institutions, environmental health institutions and agencies, and non governmentalorganizations or groups should be encouraged to sponsor the preparation of promotional and

demonstration material as well as promote pilot projects to increase community participation

and develop new approaches.

7. Consideration should be given to the involvement of the private sector in solid wastemanagement. The role and increased participation of non governmental organizations and

local social committees and groups, in raising environmental health awareness, and in

educating the public concerning health hazards associated with solid waste should be

recognized by the local municipalities.

Education and training of environmental health personnel in solid waste management

8. Training efforts should be undertaken by Member States, at three levels of education andtraining in:

1. Waste management planning for engineers and managers.

2. Operation, maintenance and overall management for engineers and technicians.

3. Health and safety requirements and good working practices for supervisors and operators.

They may also seek support and cooperation from EMRO/CEHA in the preparation of

relevant teaching and learning materials at various levels and their translation into local

languages.


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Appropriate solid waste management technologies and options

9.The participants agreed that sanitary landfill is the best option for disposal of solid wastes inthe Region. Municipalities, environmental engineering schools and United Nations agencies

should provide support for the preparation of appropriate guidelines and training courses forthe design and operation of sanitary landfill sites. Crude dumps and open burning sites should

be replaced by proper sanitary landfill or landfill sites.

10.Recycling and resource recovery should be promoted with proper consideration forenvironment and health. Separation of municipal solid waste components at source and reuse

and recycling of materials by industry should be encouraged, by providing practical and

appropriate incentives.

11.The success of some composting plants in the Region, and the need for soil conditioning usingorganic materials, such as compost, were noted. It was recommended that more plants be built

in places where there is a market for compost, and waste segregation is available, and that

information on operating and managing compost plants be shared freely or through

CEHANET in the Region.

12.For economic health and environmental reasons, it was agreed that clinical and medical wastesbe disposed of using small specialized incinerators or by properly designed and secure sanitary

landfilling.

13.It was recommended that storage containers and collection vehicles should, where possible, beof types that are suitable for standardization and capable of being manufactured locally, and

preference should be given to local manufacturers to overcome problems of obtaining spareparts from overseas.

14.The selection and specification of collection vehicles should be based on local data andconditions. More attention should be focused on measuring work rates and estimating running

costs so that economical systems are selected.

15.Proper schemes should be developed for the handling of hazardous wastes at source.Legislation and institutional set up

16.EMRO/CEHA should support Member States in identifying, through solid waste managementresearch and surveys, strengthening institutional and personnel needs.

17.All Member States should have national policies regarding equipment and fleets for solidwaste collection and disposal with a back-up policy for replacing and upgrading such fleets.

18.Appropriate funding should be made available by Member States for solid waste managementschemes in each city and rural community (if possible) to provide equal services to all the

sectors, regardless of income or socio economic levels.

19.National environmental health regulations should call for monitoring the safety and health ofall workers involved in solid waste management, through health insurance and other schemes.


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20.EMRO/CEHA should support Member States in developing national environmental healthpolicies, legislation and regulations related to the management of solid waste in an

"environmentally sound and health-friendly" manner. Support is also needed by Member

States in developing regional environmental health intervention levels related to solid waste

management.

21.Member States should review their policies concerning the control of solid waste treatmentand disposal, so that it is not necessarily carried out by the ministry of health but by an

independent agency such as a regional or national organization, (e.g. ministry of environment,

regional waste disposal authority).

National goals and plans of action

22.It is highly recommended that each Member State sets up time-bound national targets for eachmunicipality or district for the preparation and implementation of solid waste management

plans.

National plans must include an assessment of current and future environmental health

personnel, equipment and financial needs. Exchange of solid waste management information (on

a regional basis) through CEHANET should be encouraged. The action plans may include the

following:

One)Identification of priority needs;

Two)Arranging annual "Environmental Health" and "Cleanliness" days for communities, with

financial incentives and appreciation/acknowledgment systems;

Three)Provision for community participation and environmental health awareness in

highlighting the health risks associated with solid waste management and development

schemes;

Four)Training of human resources at all levels;

Five)Development of systems and technologies that are affordable, robust and appropriate to

local conditions for storage, collection, resource recovery and disposal of solid waste;

Six)Introduction of specific management procedures for toxic and hazardous, including

clinical, wastes;

Seven)Evaluation of quantities and characteristics and the management of industrial wastes of

all types;

Eight)Provision for the exchange of information, knowledge and experiences on national,

regional and inter regional levels.

Nine)Development of research on the operation and design of sanitary landfill sites, with

emphasis on odour control, gas collection and venting, leachate control and other problems,

based on national and regional experiences.


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6. PLAN OF ACTION

All the participants, after review and discussion of the conclusions and recommendations,agreed to the following general points for further follow-up to this Solid Waste Management

training course in their personal or official capacity.

1.To translate in to local languages, disseminate, share and spread the information (throughlocal newsletters, news items, etc.) gathered and knowledge gained, and to act as "trainers"

in implementing activities related to the technical area of solid waste management in their

respective countries.

2.To promote and assist their governments in follow-up, through the authorities concerned, ofthe implementation of the recommendations.

3.To assist with, and promote, the process of collaboration and cooperation betweengovernment, industry and the public.

4.To obtain appropriate literature, information and support, from WHO and other UnitedNations agencies for education and training.

5.To print, adapt or translate the appropriate available documents concerning solid wastemanagement and prepare special materials (teaching learning materials) in the country.

6.To recommend to appropriate authorities, as well as to participate in and promote the holdingof "follow-up" workshops or seminars, at local and national levels.

7.To arrange to send any success stories and progress in such programmes in the country toEMRO and CEHA, in due course, for inclusion in its newsletter.

8.To maintain links with EMRO and CEHA and other participants about the tasks beingundertaken or needed, for the purposes of activity networking in the Region and sharing

technical know-how.

9.To assist in the formation of twinning inter-municipality programmes.10.To assist in promoting greater understanding of solid waste problems among the people and

in changing peoples attitudes towards it.

11.To assist the government in the assessment and evaluation of the solid waste disposal optionsand their environmental health impact assessments.

12.To initiate and promote processes of recycling and composting as pilot studies and also thehandling of special wastes, such as clinical waste.

13.To sensitize their respective agency staff and the public through celebration of "WorldEnvironment Day".


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7. CLOSING SESSION

Dr Khan thanked the participants for their cooperation and active participation during thetraining course as well as in the formulation of recommendations for future follow-up. He

emphasized that the participants, after their return to their countries, should disseminate

information and knowledge gained from the course, might wish to keep a close link with

WHO/CEHA and feel free to request additional information from CEHA.


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Annex 1

AGENDA

1. Opening Ceremony

2. Global and Regional Overview of Solid Waste Management

3. Environmental Pollution and Health Implications of Solid Waste

4. Solid Waste Surveys, Storage, Collection and Disposal Facilities

5. Use of Computers in Designing Solid Waste Management Systems

6. Solid Waste Minimization, Recycling and Composting

7. Solid Waste Disposal Options

8. Country Reports

9. Site Visits


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Annex 2

PROGRAMME

Saturday 25 March 1995

08:30 - 09:30 Registration

09:30 - 10:00 Opening Ceremony

- Message from Dr Hussain A. Gezairy,

Regional Director, Eastern Mediterranean Office

- Welcome address by H. E. The Minister of Health, Jordan

10:30 - 10:45 Introduction of participants

10:45 - 11:00 - Election of course officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Rapporteur)- Announcements

- Agenda adoption

- Scheduling of Country Papers

11:00 - 11:30 Scope and purpose of course (Dr Khan, TRA/CEHA)

11:30 - 12:00 A global and Regional (EMR) overview of solid waste management (Dr Khan)

12:30 - 13:30 Environmental Pollution and Health Implication of Solid Waste

(Dr G. K. Anderson)

13:30 - 14:30 Discussions

14:30 - 15:30 Solid waste surveys: Quantities, sources and composition (Mr D. J. Elliott)

Sunday 26 March 1995

08:30 - 10:00 Planning and management of storage systems, (Dr G. K. Anderson)


11:30 - 13:00 Waste collection vehicles and systems, (Mr D. J. Elliott)

13:30 - 15:00 Discussions/Case study

Monday 27 March 1995

08:30 - 13:00 Site visit to solid waste storage and collection facilities in and around Amman



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Tuesday 28 March 1995

08:30 - 10:30 Country papers and discussions

11:00 - 13:00 Continue country papers and discussions

13:30 - 14:30 Clinical waste management, (Dr G. K. Anderson)


Wednesday 29 March 1995

08:30 - 13:00 Computer aided design of solid waste storage, collection and

transportation systems, (Mr D. J. Elliott)

13:30 - 15:00 Solid waste minimization, separation and recycling approaches and options,

(CEDARE) Eng. M. Akrouk.

Thursday 30 March 1995

08:30 - 09:30 Role of community participation in solid waste management


11:00 - 12:00 Information management for municipal solid waste management services(Eng. Malkawi, Dr Khan)


13;30 - 15:00 Country papers and Discussions

Saturday 01 April 1995

08:30 - 13:30 Visit to maintenance workshop for waste management equipment


14:30 - 15:30 Waste collection vehicle scheduling and management (Mr El-Hishan)

Sunday 02 April 1995

08:30 - 10:30 Siting, design and evaluation of sanitary landfills,

(Dr G. K. Anderson/Mr D. J. Elliott)



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12:00 - 13:00 Development and use of check lists/methods for evaluating disposal sites,

(Dr G. K. Anderson/Mr D. J. Elliott)

13:30 - 15:00 Selection and use of appropriate waste disposal manpower and equipment

(Mr El-Hishan)

Monday 03 April 1995

08:30 - 15:00 Site visit and evaluation of existing landfills (Al-Akaider and Rusaifa) and

their environmental health impacts

Tuesday 04 April 1995

08:30 - 10:30 Feasibility, planning and management of composting in EMR (Dr Natour)


12:00 - 13:00 Composting case study (Dr Natour)

13:30 - 14:30 Incineration as a waste disposal option in EMR (Dr G. K. Anderson)


Wednesday 05 April 1995

08:30 - 15:00 Full day site visit and evaluation of landfill sites of Madaba, Mafraq

and Humra, as well to a functional hospital waste incinerator

Thursday 06 April 1995

08:30 - 10:30 Evaluation of course and recommendations (Dr G. K. Anderson)

11:00 - 12:00 Closing


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Annex 3

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

EGYPT

Mr Youssef Shafik Youssef

Director General

Environmental Health

Ministry of Health

Cairo

Mr El Sayed Al Araby Sarhan

Director

Potable Water Control

Environmental Health

Ministry of Health

Cairo

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Mr Sayed Mohammad Hossein Kazemi

Expert of Environmental Health

Ministry of Health

Boushehr Province

Mr Hassan Ali Jafari

Senior Expert of Environmental Health

University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Isfahan

IRAQ

Eng. Rasoul Sahib Ghazi

Director of Environmental Protection Unit

Al Najaf Governorate

Eng. Mohamed Ali Abdel Ameer

Chief Engineer

Environmental Protection Centre

Baghdad

JORDAN


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Eng. Mohammad Khalik Dabbas

Ministry of Health

Amman

Eng. William Salty HaddadGreater Amman Municipality

Amman

MOROCCO

Dr Boukli

Director

Bureau Municipal dHygiene

Rabat

OMAN

Mr Mattar Mahkoom Shabail Al Riyami

Head of Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Department of Environmental Health and

Malaria Eradication

Ministry of Health

Muscat

PAKISTAN

Mr Nayyer Mahmood

Administrator

Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation

Rawalpindi

Mr Zafar Iqbal Beg

Environmental Engineer

Lahore Metropolitan CorporationLahore

SUDAN

Mr Kamal Abdel Azim Ibrahim

Director Environmental Health

White Nile State

Mr Mohamed El Gak Humrani

c/o WR/Sudan


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TUNISIA

Mr Raki Zghondi

Ingenieur PrincipalOffice National de lAssainissement

Tunis

Mr Lotfi Helaoui

Sanitary Engineer

Environmental Health Division

Ministry of Public Health

Tunis

YEMEN

Dr Abdel Kaher El Zaemey

Head, Environmental Health Division

Civil Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

Sanaa University

Sanaa

Mr Mohamed Abdul Wasih Al Iryani

Head of Cleaning DivisionEnvironmental Health Department

Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning

Sanaa

OBSERVERS

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinian People in the Near East

(UNRWA)

Mr Hassan SalemField Sanitary Engineer

Jordan

Mr Ibrahim Al Abdallah

Senior Sanitarian

Lebanon

Mr Zohdi Salah

Field Sanitary Engineer

Gaza


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WHO SECRETARIAT

Dr M. Z. Ali KhanCoordinator

WHO Regional Centre for Environmental Health Activities (CEHA)

Amman

Dr G. K. Anderson

WHO Temporary Adviser

University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

United Kingdom

Mr D. J. Elliott

WHO Temporary Adviser

University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

United Kingdom

Dr R. Natour

WHO National Temporary Adviser

University of Jordan

Amman

Eng. S. Al Hishan

WHO National Temporary AdviserGreater Amman Municipality

Amman

Eng. Mazen Malkawi

Technical Assistant

CEHA

UNITED NATIONS/INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Engineer Maha AkroukResearch Assistant

Urbanization and Human Settlements Programme

Centre for Environment and Development for the

Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE)

Cairo

Egypt

regional training course on solid waste management

Documents