4 Waste - DSPA4 Waste Report on the State of the Environment of Macao 2010 Collection of Waste Treatment of Waste Resources such as food, water, clothing, dwellings and energy are

4 Waste

Report on the State of the Environment of Macao 2010

Collection of Waste

Treatment of Waste

Resources such as food, water, clothing, dwellings and energy are consumed constantly for the survival of mankind. During the consuming processes of these resources, various types of waste materials such as solid waste, wastewater and polluted gases and different kinds of pollutants are generated. Among them solid waste management becomes one of the significant environment issues of the worldwide metropolis cities.

In recent years, with the rapid urbanization, booming growth of economy, continuous increase of population and visitor arrivals, stronger consumer power and change of electronic products with each passing day in Macao,

In 2010, the MSAR Government continually optimized and improved the facilities for waste collection. A total of 125 waste collection stations have been constructed among which 104 stations were installed with recyclable waste

As for optimizing continuously the local environment infrastructures, the MSAR Government has been keen on facilitating the infrastructure to reach higher standard and level. Regarding to the limitation of the land area in Macao, the MSAR Government has adopted incineration for domestic waste treatment, with the investment in environment protection facilities of the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant as a mean to achieve waste reduction and environmental sound treatment. While relieving the pressure on the demand of land resources of Macao for domestic waste disposal, the electricity generated from the waste incineration also practiced the reuse of resources.

Upon establishment on the 29th of June in 2009, the Environment Protection Bureau (DSPA) takes the responsibility of promoting and coordinating the activities related with the environmental infrastructures, including solid waste treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities and ecological zone etc., implementing uniform management to different environment infrastructure. In 2010, the DSPA has already established totally 6 treatment lines in both new and old incineration plant. Thus, the daily waste treatment capacity has increased from 864 tons in 1992 to 1,728 tons with the largest annual waste treatment capacity being raised to 576,650 tons. Meanwhile, indexes such as noise and wastewater of the Macao Refuse

Incineration Plant have reached advanced international level. Exhaust purification system for treatment of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrogen chloride (HCI), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and dust have been equipped for each treatment line of the new plant, of which the emission is discharged through a chimney of 90 meters after dust removal by the bag filter so as to meet the latest EU emission standards. Moreover, the tendering work of the flue gas purification system upgrade project of the old plant of the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant was initiated in the same year.

In addition, “Martin Grate” technology has been adopted for each treatment line of the Plant and the heat recovery boilers have been equipped for the recycling of heat generated during waste incineration in order to generate steam for turning the turbine generator. Part of the electricity generated was used for the operation of the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant, while the remaining electricity was transmitted to the public power grid. In 2010, the power generated through waste incineration reached 118.1 million kWh with the power transmitted to public power grid of 94.0 million kWh, accounting for 2.6% of the total power in Macao. The slag ratio caused by waste incineration in 2010 was 17.7% and the fly ash ratio was 3.6%.

the wide-spreading trend of disposal products, the consumption of various resources has been increasing, as well as the amount of urban solid waste which has been exerting much pressure on the environment. With the limited land resource in Macao, appropriate waste treatment has become the key concerned and confronted issue by the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR Government). There is no doubtthat various publicity, education and recycling work under the policy of “Waste reduction at source” will be an effective measure for tackling the problems and facing the challenges.

separation containers. Furthermore, 4 customized trash compactors have been installed to replace the original waste containers, the amount of original waste containers in street decreased progressively to 584.

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In order to improve environmental quality and ensure residents’ health, the DSPA further optimized the process of waste treatment in 2010, and utilized the three incinerators of the new plant as main facilities for waste treatment before the upgrade project of the old plant was completed. Treatment facility which was in operation in the fourth quarter of 2008 for solidifying the fly ash generated has been established in the new plant. The designed treatment capacity has taken into consideration of future upgrade of the old plant, which will be able to meet the solidified treatment requirements of fly ash generated by the 6 incinerators in the Incineration Plant. In the meantime, the fly ash system of the old plant will be connected to the current fly ash treatment equipment of the new plant so that all of the fly ash can be solidified before transferring for landfill.

Apart from the incineration of domestic waste, construction waste generated in Macao was disposed to landfill. Some large construction projects were slowed down due to impacts of the financial crisis since 2008, the volume of construction waste had slightly increased from1,316,676 m3 in 2009 to 1,538,657 m3 in 2010. The quantity has substantially decreased compared to the3,118,253 m3 in 2007.

On the other hand, special or hazardous waste in Macao including chemical waste, medical waste, slaughterhouse waste, dead dogs, horses and other animals, oil residue and waste tyres and so forth, are all transferred to the Special and Hazardous Waste Treatment Plant for exclusive high-temperature incineration treatment. In recent years, the station treated an average of over 2,000 tons of special and hazardous waste per year. In 2010, 706.0 tons were slaughterhouse waste, accounted for 31.3%; 688.4 tons were waste tires accounted for 30.6%; and 448.4 tons were medical waste, accounted for 19.9%. Moreover, the volume of waste oils incinerated by the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Macao Peninsula was 102 m3, while sludge was 1,973 tons.

In terms of waste removal from Macao waters, the Maritime Administration (CP) removed around 120.8 tons of water hyacinths and 9.5 tons of dead fish in 2010.

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Recycling of Waste

There is a saying that waste are resources being put in the wrong places. With unrestrained waste generation, more land of Macao will be used for waste disposal and the precious recyclable resources will be wasted as well. Therefore, relevant departments of the MSAR Government kept close cooperation to promote “Waste reduction at source” continuously and the work of recyclable waste separation so as to enhance the involvement of the residents and to increase the ratio of waste recovery and recycling. With the current waste recycling system in Macao, nearly 79,000 tons urban solid waste was recycled. The waste recovery rate1 in 2009 and 2010 had reached 18.6% and 19.7% respectively.

In 2010, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) continued to optimize the facilities for recyclable waste collection and separation in communities, leading to the increase in the number of public recyclable waste collection stations to 220. The amount of entities participating in the waste separation and collection program such as schools, government departments, associations and private organizations reached 289 and the residential buildings involved in the domestic waste separation and collection program increased to 295. Meanwhile, in order to enhance the awareness of citizens on waste reduction at source and environment protection, as well as to develop the habit of

Note: (1) 1 Since the waste collected in Macao has been mainly exported to the mainland and other countries for recycling, the above estimation is made with reference to the DSEC import and export data, including statistics of recyclable paper, recyclable plastic, recyclable metals, etc.

4 Waste


Indicators for environmental analysis in this chapter

• Waste Generation• Ultimate Disposal of Waste

waste recycling, different types of waste separation and collection activities such as waste separation and collection program in schools and residential buildings as well as red pockets and moon cake boxes recycling activity were held.

According to the statistics, 342,661 kg recyclable waste (including 278,985 kg of paper, 47,008 kg of plastics and 16,668 kg of metals) has been recycled in 2010 with the implementation of recyclable waste separation and collection campaign held by IACM. At the same time, two food waste composters, whose volume amounted to 38,930 kg, have been installed to treat vegetable waste generated in the markets.

Additionally, the DSPA, the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau (SAFP) as well as the Salvation Army (Macao) cooperated to carry out the “Used Clothing

Recycling Campaign in Public Administrations” in December of 2010 so as to facilitate the recycling of old clothing by the civil servants. This activity, which has achieved a very good result with more than 3,400 kg old clothing collected, not only encourage the environmental protection concept for enabling the reuse of old clothing, providing experiences for waste reduction, appropriate use of the resources and waste reduction at source, but also helped the people in need, marking some unique significances.

On the other hand, the DSPA launched the survey on the status of the recyclable waste in Macao, preparing for the formulation of the treatment facility plan in 2011.

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Waste Generation Indicator

The locations of waste treatment and disposal facilities in Macao (Data source: DSPA, 2011)

Figure 4.1

Waste generation indicators are analyzed with the following data: the annual quantity of waste transferred to the Incineration Plant for treatment, daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treatment per capita, the annual percentages of the physical composition of urban waste, the annual volume of solid waste generated by electricity supply company and the type and quantity of waste vehicles.

Waste

Waste Generation

• Daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treatment per capita• Physical composition of urban waste• Volume of solid waste generated by the electricity supply company• Type and quantity of waste vehicles

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DPSIR Framework Driving Forces Pressures States Impacts Responses

Good UnsatisfactoryStable

D P S I RChapter Description Trend

4 Waste


10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

700,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

Physical composition of urban waste

Quantity of waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant for treatment and the maximum treatment capacity of the Incineration Plant (ton)

Daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treatment per capita (kg)

Waste generation (ton)

Note: (1) The Macao power plant has been terminated since 2007.

Note: (1) “Others” includes unclassified matter less than 2 cm in diameter.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Macao power plant Coloane power plant

Wood Metals Glass and rubble FabricsPaper/cardboard Plastics Organic substances Others

Quantity of waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant for treatment

The maximum treatment capacity of the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant

Daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treatment per capita

Quantity of waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant for treatment and daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treatment per capita(Data source: DSPA, 2011)

Physical composition of urban waste(Data source: DSPA, 2011)

Solid waste generated by the electricity supply company(Data source: CEM, 2011)

Figure 4.2

Figure 4.3 Figure 4.4

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Heavy motorcycles

Light motorcycles

Heavy vehicles

Light vehicles

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Quantity

Type

Type and quantity of waste vehicles

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000

Type and quantity of waste vehicles (Data source: DSAT, 2011)

Figure 4.5

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4 Waste


2009 2010

324,824 321,425

1.64 1.64

5,250.0 2,718.4

- 1.0%

0.0%

- 48.2%

Percent increase / decrease

Quantity of waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant for treatment (ton)

Solid waste generated by the electricity supply company (ton)

Daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treat-ment per capita (kg)

Table 4.1 Numerical data as well as percentage in increase or decrease of quantity of waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant for treatment, daily mean quantity of waste transferred for treatment per capita and solid waste generated by the electricity supply company in 2009 and 2010

Table 4.2 Physical composition of urban waste in 2009 and 2010

Table 4.3 Relative difference of quantity of waste vehicles in 2009 and 2010

2009 2010

1.2%

0.3%

54.2%

8.7%

2.2%

45.7%

2.4%

19.9%

6.3%

3.3%

16.3%

4.4%

6.3%

9.4%

5.4%

14.1%

Wood

Fabrics

Organic substances

Glass and rubble

Plastics

Metals

Paper/cardboard

Others

2009 2010

2,515 2,652

3,377

3,506

3,698

3,376

299 171

+ 5.4%

+ 9.5%

- 3.7%

- 42.8%

Heavy motorcycles (No.)

Heavy vehicles (No.)

Light motorcycles (No.)

Light vehicles (No.)


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Analysis

In Macao, as shown in Figure 4.2, the solid waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant was 321,425 tons in 2010, slight decrease of 1.0% compared to that in 2009. In 2010, the daily mean of waste transferred for treatment per capita was 1.64 kg, which was similar to that in 2009 and has outpaced the level of those developed countries. It reviews that policies and measures of encouraging waste recycling and regeneration should be promoted and strengthened continuously.

According to proportion of the physical composition of solid waste transferred to the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant for treatment in 2010, organic substances, paper/cardboard, plastics etc. were still the major compositions of the waste in Macao, in which organic substances accounted for 45.7% of the total, indicating that food waste possesses large recycling potential. In addition, the portion of plastic waste has been decreasing in the last two years.

Furthermore, since natural gas has been introduced progressively in Macao as power generation fuel in recent years, waste produced from power generation (including waste oils, fly ash, incombustibles and so on) has been decreasing continuously to 48.2% in 2010. (Figure 4.4)

In recent years, the constant increase in the number of motor vehicles in Macao gave rise to the increase in the number of waste vehicles. Despite the decrease of 42.8% and 3.7% in the number of heavy vehicles and light vehicles respectively, the total number of waste vehicles still increased constantly due to the increase of 5.4% and 9.5% in heavy motorcycles and light motorcycles respectively. Thus, it is clear that the waste vehicle problem calls for great attention, and policies as well as measures for tackling this problem should be elaborated as soon as possible (Figure 4.5).

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4 Waste


250

200

150

100

50

0

3,500,000

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

0

70,000.00

60,000.00

50,000.00

40,000.00

30,000.00

20,000.00

10,000.00

0.00

Construction waste (m3) Amount of fly ash and slag (ton) Volume of treated waste oils (m3)

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20101997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Construction waste Slag Fly ash

2009 2010

1,316,676 1,538,657

62,602.6

275.6

57,485.7

214.5

11,256.1 11,914.3

+ 16.9%

- 8.2%

- 22.2%

+5.8%

Construction waste (m3)

Fly ash (ton)

Slag (ton)

Incombustibles and waste of lower thermal value (ton)

Table 4.4 Numerical data as well as percentage in increase or decrease of volume of construction waste, slag, fly ash, incombustibles and waste of lower thermal value in 2009 and 2010

Indicators for ultimate disposal of waste are analyzed with the following data: the annual volume of construction waste, the annual generation of fly ash, the annual generation of slag and the annual volume of waste oils transferred to the incinerator at the WWTP in Macao Peninsula.


IndicatorUltimate Disposal of Waste

Waste

• Landfill volume of construction waste• Landfill volume of slag• Landfill volume of fly ash• Volume of waste oils transferred to the incinerator at the wastewater treatment plant in Macao Peninsula

Ultimate Disposal of Waste

Volume of waste disposed in landfill(Data source: DSPA, 2011)

Volume of waste oils transferred to the incinerator at the WWTP in Macao Peninsula(Data source: DSPA, 2011)

Figure 4.6 Figure 4.7

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DPSIR Framework Driving Forces Pressures States Impacts Responses

Good UnsatisfactoryStable

D P S I RChapter Description Trend


Analysis

As showed in Figure 4.6 and Table 4.4, the quantity of fly ash produced during the incineration process (in both the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant and Special and Hazardous Waste Treatment Plant) has been increasing constantly in recent decade, it has increased by 5.8% in 2010 compared to 2009. This is because the fly ash treatment facility, which was put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2008 to solidify the fly ash generated, has been established in the new plant. Moreover, the DSPA had connected the fly ash system of the old plant to the current fly ash treatment equipment of the new plant in 2010. The fly ash can be solidified before transferred for landfill. After solidification, the volume of fly ash had a certain increase. However, the quantity of slag showed an unstable circumstance with the quantity decreased by 8.2% in 2010 compared to 2009.

As for the disposal of construction waste, the volume of construction waste in Macao broke the records in 2007,

followed by a reduction in 2008 and 2009. It then recovered in 2010, increased by 16.9% compared to 2009 (see Figure 4.6). Therefore, the pressure on disposal of construction waste cannot be overlooked.

As for the landfill volume, incombustibles and waste of lower thermal value had been transferred directly to the landfill for construction waste accounted for 214.5 tons in 2010, indicating a decrease of 22.2% compared to 2009.

In order to ensure a proper treatment of waste oils generated from motor vehicles, the MSAR Government had also mixed the waste oils collected with the sludge generated from the process of wastewater treatment at the WWTP in Macao Peninsula for incineration treatment. According to Figure 4.7 and Table 4.5, the volume of treated waste oil in 2010 was 102 m3, indicating a decrease of 7.3% compared to 2009.

2009 2010

110 102 - 7.3%Volume of waste oils transferred to the incinerator at the WWTP in Macao Peninsula (m3)

Table 4.5 Numerical data as well as percentage in increase or decrease of volume of waste oils transferred to the incinerator at the WWTP in Macao in 2009 and 2010


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IndicatorUltimate Disposal of Waste

4 Waste


Conclusion and Recommendations

“To encourage conservation of resources” is one of the six planning strategies in the “Macao’s Environmental Protection Conceptual Planning (2010-2020)” and it aims at “Reducing excessive consumption of resource and promoting resource recycling”. Without effective control on the solid waste generation, it will create huge pressure on the limited land resource for waste treatment and disposal. As a result, the MSAR Government should facilitate continuously the idea of “Waste reduction at source” and advocate the environment protection concepts of 5R (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle). Thus, not only the pressure on landfill area will be relieved effectively due to reduce the volume of waste, slag and fly ash, but also protect the precious resources.

With the rapid economy growth, rising population and visitor arrivals of Macao in recent years, the treatment of solid waste was subject to incineration and supplemented by landfill for disposal. In the future, more attention should be paid to the rate of resource recovery. On one hand, efforts should be made to continuously advocate solid waste reduction and facilitate waste separation, collection and disposal of via effective measures such as economic incentives. On the other hand, advanced technologies can be introduced to develop solid waste recycling facilities in terms of general domestic waste, food waste and special solid waste. Moreover, booming consumption activities leads to the increased use of plastic bags. The levy of plastic bags has aroused wide public concern in recent years. It is suggested for the MSAR Government to conduct specific study on the reduction of production and usage of plastic bags, so as to provide useful reference to policies formulation that will be more appropriate for Macao. Moreover, for the sake to enhance the awareness on “Waste reduction at sources” and cope with the “Polluter Pays Principle” outlined in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992, feasibility study on charging module for overall pollution emission reduction in Macao, especially policies of solid waste management, is suggested to be carried out.

Furthermore, the MSAR Government has begun to implement gradually the relevant policies on controlling exhaust pollution of motor vehicles. The expected number of scrapped motor vehicles being replaced and cancelled will be increased constantly. Therefore, it is necessary

to formulate the relevant scrapped vehicle management policies so as to prepare for future management and recycling systems of scrapped vehicles. It shows that solid waste reduction and recycling in Macao can be urges to reach a higher level progressively by management measures together with improvement of waste treatment facilities.

On the other hand, it is crucial to conduct publicity and education on waste reduction among the public because the concept of “Waste reduction at sources” can only be implemented effectively with public participation and their environmental behaviors. Thus, it is suggested that relevant government departments constantly deepen publicity and education with various forms regarding waste reduction and strengthen public awareness on waste recycling in order to promote the practice of the waste collection and separation to different social sectors in their daily life.

In addition, to ensure the safety of solid waste treatment and disposal facilities in Macao, it is also recommended to improve the environmental supervision and management system of the solid waste and continuously improve solid waste management system and information system. As for treatment and disposal of special and hazardous waste with which public concerned, such as waste of electrical appliance and electronic products as well as waste batteries, scientific study is suggested to be carry out for seeking appropriate treatment and disposal methods and approaches in Macao. Some special and hazardous waste may ultimately require regional cooperation for disposal comprehensively so as to ensure the recycling of such waste; approaches for trans-boundary treatment should be explored.

Moreover, during the second phase of the study on master planning and specific planning of environmental protection in Macao, it is suggested to carry out study on specific planning of solid waste in order to predict and estimate the solid waste generation, to formulate comprehensively the planning goals for recovery rate and other indicators, to develop an integrated control management and treatment strategies on the basis of the current state survey and analysis of solid waste.

In conclusion, adhering to the concept of waste reduction at source, resources saving and recycling economy, the MSAR Government should establish

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References- Environmental Statistics 2010

Further Informationhttp://www.dsec.gov.mo

progressively a technological system combining utilization and safe treatment of solid waste in Macao, facilitate further appropriate treatment of special and hazardous waste with the support of regional cooperation in the Region of Pearl River Delta , and encourage all citizens in Macao to participate in activities of waste reduction at

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source, in order to achieve the “Reduction in quantity”, “Maximization of resources” and “Environmental sound treatment” of solid waste, helping to pave the way for Macao to develop as a environmentally-friendly and resource saving society.

Documents

4 Waste - DSPA4 Waste Report on the State of the Environment of Macao 2010 Collection of Waste Treatment of Waste Resources such as food, water, clothing, dwellings and energy are