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REGIONAL TRAINING COURSE ON
SOLID \VASTE I\IANAGEl\IENT
Amman. Jordan. 25 March to 6 April 1995
WORLD HEAL TH ORGANIZATION
\VHO-EM/CEHAf68-E
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN r-.1EDITERRANEAN REGIONAL CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AL HEAL TH ACTIVITIES (CEHA)
Amman. Jordan
July. 1996
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ I
2. TECI-mICAL 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
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. I Conclusions .................................................................................................. 12
5 .2 Recommendations ........................................................................................ 13
6. PLAN OF ACTION ................................................................................................ 16
7. CLOSING SESSION .............................................................................................. 17
ANNEXES
l. Agenda ................................................................................................................... 18 2. Programme ............................................................................................................. 19 3. List of Participants .................................................................................................. 22
l. INTRODUCTION
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A Regional Training Course on Solid Waste Management was organized by the \VHO Regional Oflice for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) with its Regional Centre for Environmental Health Activities (CEHA). Amman. Jordan. from 25 March to 6 April l 995. 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 \VHO 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 (CED ARE). 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 implications of 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 \VHO. 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 and friendly'' practices. Finally. he hoped for a successtul and frnitful course with practical recommendations for furtuer follow-up.
Dr Saad Al Kharabsheh, on behalf ofH.E. the Minister of Health. formally opened the Training Course and welcomed the guests to Jordan. He stated that he appreciated CEHA's 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 country's 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 t he agenda and programme (Annexes I and 2. respectively). Dr Abdel Kaher El Zaemey {Yemen) was elected as Chainnan of the Training Course, Mr EI 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 nm n:1gement
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 (El\1R). 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 E.MR 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. compcfsting and other means are 80%, 0.5%, 0.5% and 19¾ 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 :rnd he:tlth 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 coliection 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 sanitary landfill. 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 sunreys: 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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compos1t1on. 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 nnd 111:1 11:tgement of stornge 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. l t then went on to outline the factors which determine the design of storage containers for home. ot1ice 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 collect ion 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 efliciency with respect to waste density and loading rates.
2.6 Clinicnl waste man:tgement
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 outl ined 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 wa5les from 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 municipal ity 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 al ternate is a sanitary landfil l where all appropriate measures are taken to dispose of the waste in a sate and aesthetic way.
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2.7 Computer aided design of solid waste stomge, collection and transportation systems
Mr Elliott presented a detailed description of the Waste Generation System (WAGS) computer program written for Habitat by Mennus Cotley 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, sep;1rntion mid recycling ,1pproaches 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 CED ARE. was presented.
2.9 Role or community particip:ttion in solid waste m:magernent
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 folly 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 filture plans; CEHNs 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 exch.inge capabi lities of existing information systems. Special attention was given to the use ofCD/ROMs in provision of recent literature on solid waste management (two bibliographies ofliterature published in l 993/ 1 994 on solid waste h.id 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 pan : role of information in solid waste management systems; types and categories of needed information: detailed description of information that should be included in the information management system: and some important issues that should be taken into consideration while designing information management systems.
2. 1 1 \Vaste collection vehicle scheduling �rnd m:urngement
Mr AI-Hishan. \VHO National Temporary Adviser. in his presentation pointed out that solid wastes have become one of the most dit1icult 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 t rained 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 fillly 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 shoul d 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 that should be used in importing the required inputs of the development plans.
2. 12 Sit ing, design and ernlnation or 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 cl inical.
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 each day with an inert material of 1 50-200 mm depth. Once the final level has been reached the site s�uld be covered with I 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 landtill 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 contro lling and treating any Jeachnte 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 1 993. 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 w:1Ste dispos,1I m:tnpower :rnd equipment
Mr AI-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. lrbid 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 Feasibil ity, planning nnd nrnnagement of composting i n the Eastern .l\lediterr:menn Region
Dr Natour. \VHO 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 under aerobic 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 i s 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 successfi.il composting. pretreatment of compost materials. to rid it from noncombustible materials. i.e. glass, plastic. nibber, steel and metals or rubbish. is of prime importance. Also, maximizing the materials surface by minimizing the particle size (milling oi:. shredding) 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 1 60 tonne capacity per day. composting plants in 1 984. using the wind row process. So far. composting in Egypt had proved to be successful and the Government plans to establish more. similar plants.
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2. 16 Composting in Kuwait : a c:1se study
Dr Natour presented the case study based on a project during J 980/ l 98 I 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 refi1se may have other important utilizations. besides composting, depending on the method of handl ing.
As for composting. household retlise \Vas found to contain a carbon:nitrogen ratio of 1 9-40: J . depending on the percentage of paper and carton present in the retlise. Such carbon :nitrogen ratios indicated the retlise 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 for. composting in artiticrally aerated bins and in naturally aerated bins gave the best results.
Compost microtlora 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 l evels of p lant 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 stt1dy.
2 . 17 Incineration as a w:1ste d isposal option in the Eastern l\lediterr:rne:rn Region
Dr Anderson indicated that incineration i s 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 p lay 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 gases but also th� liquid and solid discharges.
2 . 18 Ev:1lu:1 tion or course
Dr Anderson compiled and presented the evaluation which showed that the ovenvhelming opinion of the participants on the course was that they had found it very useful and that they appreciated both the technical content o f t he 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 cu rrent ,v.tste 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 AI-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 country's 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 intections. 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 t he 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-minister' s otlice in Iraq.
The number of landfills in Iraq is around I OS in the 1 5 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 1 4 governorates during the first half of 1994 were 1 650 000 and 8 60 1 7 45 tonnes per day respectively out of which only 43 9 000 tonnes was collected. The equipment available to deal with solid waste management consists of 1 204 pieces. The actual requirement is for 1 885 pieces indicating a shortage of 68 1 thus resulting in accumulation of solid waste in large amounts. increase in harmfitt 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 successfi.il treatment and processing of solid wastes.
4.5 l\lorocco
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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 recyclable products. of which 83.6% is cardboard. are collected through the acquisition of I 400 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 condi tions of the waste col lector. 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 containers of 1 . 1 m3
• 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 t ransportation 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 fro111 inhabited areas as specified by the municipality, where they are burnt in the open or buried or both. 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 municipal ity 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 Pnkistnn
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In accordance with Federal Government policy on local government affairs. provincial local governments frame rules for local urban and mral 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 efiiciency 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 mral localities. Retlise 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 1 95 1 local councils have held the responsibility for improvement of sani tation 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 efliciency 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 reti.ise.
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 (PRON AG DES) is one of the curative measures chosen by the government to manage sol id wastes. protect natural resources. provide various cities with an eflicient 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 lnterior. M inistry of Environment and Land Use Planning. Ministry of Public Health. Sanitation Ot1ice ( 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 pest 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 1 00 % 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. 1 0 Repulic or Yemen
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The cleaning Department of the Ministry o f 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 of0.5 to 0.7 kg per person per day, with a density of0.02 to 0.3 5 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 sufticiently high priority while more than 50% of the population in the Region live in such areas.
However, whi le 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 be rectified 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 oft he 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 were recommended:
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 sutlicient human and financial resources. In some countries this has already been addressed by the establishment of environmental protection agencies whose responsibilities
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include waste management. but they have not yet been i n operation long enough to assess their effectiveness and impact.
5.2 Recommend:1 tions
Community im·ol\'f!11tt!11t, participation. l!d11c:atim1 and £ni "t1rl!11t!ss
l . Member States should promote. and seek the assistance of EMRO/CEHA i n. setting u p and planning public participation and awareness programmes and facilities.
2. Central governments should develop well-researched and forceful public education programmes. in close cooperation and consultation with local municipalities or executing agencies.
3 a Governments and local authorities should hold education and public a\vareness programmes in rural areas.
4. Mass media (television. radio. press. etc.} should be used to emphasize the need for and role of public 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 . School children should be encouraged to participate in environmental health improvement projects.
6 . Academic institut ions. environmental health institutions and agencies. and non governmental organizations 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 i n solid waste management. The role and increased pai1 icipation 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.
Ed11catio11 and training ,?f em·iro11mt!11lal l,ealth pt!rsm111el in solid 1 1 ·aslt! mwwgt!mt!III
8. Training efforts should be undertaken by Member States. at three levels of education and training in :
I . 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.
WHO•EM/CEHN68·E Page 14
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.
Appropriate so/id waste mwwg,:nu:11I t,:chuo/ogies cmd options
9. The participants agreed that sanitary landfill is the best option for disposal of solid wastes i n the Region. Municipalities. environmental engineering schools and United Nations agencies should provide support for the preparation of appropriate guidelines and training courses for the design and operation of sanitary landfill sites. Cnide dumps and open burning sites should be replaced by proper sanitary landfill or landfill sites.
I O. Recycling and resource recovery should be promoted with proper consideration for environment and health. Separation of municipal solid waste components at source and reuse and recycling of materials by industry should be encotiraged. by providing practical and appropriate incentives.
1 1 . The success of some composting plants in the Region. and the need for soil conditioning using organic 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 wastes be disposed of using small specialized incinerators or by properly designed and secure sanitary landfilling.
1 3 . It was recommended that storage containers and collection vehicles should. where possible. be of 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 spare parts from overseas.
1 4. The selection and specification of collection vehicles should be based on local data and conditions. More attention should be focused on measuring work rates and estimating ninning costs so that economical systems are selected.
1 5. Proper schemes should be developed for the handling of hazardous wastes at source.
Legislatio11 cmd i11slit11timwl set up
16. EMRO/CEHA should support Member States in identifying. through solid waste management research and surveys. strengthening institutional and personnel needs.
1 7. All Member States should have national policies regarding equipment and fleets for solid waste collection and disposal with a back•up policy for replacing and upgrading such fleets.
1 8. Appropriate funding should be made available by Member States for solid waste management schemes in each city and mral community (if possible) to provide equal services to all the sectors. regardless of income or socio economic levels.
WHO-EM/CEHN68-E Page 1 5
19 . National environmental health regulations should call for monitoring the safety and health of all workers involved in solid waste management. through health insurance and other schemes.
20. EMRO/CEHA should support Member States in developing national environmental health policies. 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 treatment and 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).
Natinnal �oafs and plans t!f actim,
22. It is highly recommended that each Member State sets up time-bound national targets for each municipality 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:
a) Identification of priority needs;
b) Arranging annual "Environmental Heal th" and "Cleanliness" days for communities, with financial incentives and appreciation/acknowledgment systems;
c) Provision for community participation and environmental health awareness in highlighting the health risks associated with solid waste management and development schemes;
d) Training of human resources at all levels;
e) Development of systems and technologies that are atfordable. robust and appropriate to local conditions for storage, collection. resource recovery and disposal of solid waste;
• f) Introduction of specific management procedures for toxic and hazardous, including clinical.
wastes;
g) Evaluation of quantities and characteristics and the management of industrial wastes of all types;
h) Provision for the exchange of information. knowledge and experiences on nat ional. regional and inter regional levels.
WHO-El\1/CEHN68-E Page 16
i) 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.
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 otlicial capacity.
l . To translate in to local languages, disseminate. share· and spread the information (through local newsletters. news items. etc.) gathered and knowledge gained. and to act as "trainers11 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, of the implementation of the recommendations.
3 . To assist with, and promote. the process of col laboration and cooperation between government, industry and the public.
4. To obtain appropriate literature. information and support. from WHO and other United Nations agencies for education and training.
5. To print. adapt or translate the appropriate available documents concerning solid waste management 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 holding of "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 to EMRO and CEHA. in due course. for inclusion in its newsletter.
8. To maintain links with EMRO and CEHA and other participants about the tasks being undertaken 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.
I O. To assist in promoting greater understanding of solid waste problems among the people and in changing peoples attitudes towards it.
1 1 . To assist the government in the assessment and evaluation of the solid waste disposal options and their environmental health impact assessments.
WHO-EM/CEHN68-E Page 17
12. To initiate and promote processes of recycling and composting as pilot studies and also the handling of special wastes. such as clinical waste.
13 . To sensitize their respective agency staff and the public through celebration of "\Vorld Environment Day11
•
7. CLOSING SESSION
Dr Khan thanked the participants for their cooperation and active participation during the training course as well as in the formulation of recommendations for future follow-up. He emphasized that the participants. after their return to the1 r countries. should disseminate infonnation 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.
I . Opening Ceremony
WHO-EM/CEHA/68-E Page 1 8
Annex I
AGENDA
2. Global and Regional Overview of Solid Waste Management
3. Environmental Pollution and Health Implications of Solid Waste
4. Solid \Vaste Surveys. Storage. Collection and Disposal Facilities
5. Use of Computers in Designing Solid Waste Management Systems
6. Solid \Vaste Minimization. Recycling and Composting
7. Solid \Vaste Disposal Options
S. Country Reports
9. Site Visits
Satnrdav 25 Marc-h 1 995
08:30 - 09:30 Registration
09:30 - I 0 :00 Opening Ceremony
WHO-El\1/CEHN68-E Page 19
Annex 2
PROGRAl\11\1 E
- 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
1 0 :45 - 1 1 :00 - Election of course oflicers (Chairman. Vice Chairman. Rapporteur) - Announcements - Agenda adoption - Scheduling of Country Papers
1 1 :OO - 11 :30 Scope and purpose of course (Dr Khan, TRNCEHA)
1 1 :30 - 12:00 A global and Regional (EMR) overview of solid waste management (Dr Khan)
1 2:30 - 13 :30 Environmental Pollution and Health Implication of Solid Waste (Dr G. K. Anderson)
1 3 :30 - 1 4 :30 Discussions
14 :30 - 1 5 :30 Solid waste surveys: Quantities. sources and composition (Mr D. J. Elliott)
Suncfav 26 l\larch 1 995
08:30 - 1 0 :00 Planning and management of storage systems. (Dr G. K. Anderson)
10:30 - 1 1 :30 Discussions
11 :30 - 13 :00 Waste col lection vehicles and systems. (Mr D. J. Elliott)
13 :30 - 15 :00 Discussions/Case study
l\lonclav 27 l\larch 1 995
08 :30 - 1 3 : 00 Site visit to solid waste storage and collection facilities in and around Amman
1 3 :30 - 15 :00 Discussions/Case study
Tuesdav 28 l\farch 1 995
\VHO-EM/CEHA/68-E Page 20
08 :30 - 1 0:30 Country papers and discussions
I 1 :00 - 1 3:00 Continue country papers and discussions
1 3:30 - 1 4:30 Clinical waste management. (Dr G. K. Anderson)
1 4 :30 - 1 5 :30 Discussions
\Vednescfov 29 March 1 995
08:30 • 1 3 :00 Computer aided design of solid waste storage, collection and transportation systems. (Mr D. J. Elliott)
13 :30 - 1 5:00 Solid waste minimization, separation and recycling approaches and options, (CEDARE) Eng. M. Akrouk.
Thursdav 30 March 1 995
08 :30 - 09:30 Role of community participation in solid waste management
09:30 - 1 0:30 Discussions
I I :00 - 1 2:00 Information management for municipal solid waste management services (Eng. Malkawi, Dr Khan)
12 :00 - 13:00 Discussions
1 3;30 - 15 :00 Country papers and Discussions
Satnrdav 0 1 April 1 995
08:30 - 1 3:30 Visit to maintenance workshop for waste management equipment
1 3:30 - 14:30 Discussions
1 4:30 - 1 5:30 Waste collection vehicle scheduling and management (Mr EI-Hishan)
Snndav 02 April 1 995
08:30 - I 0:30 Siting. design and evaluation of sanitary landfills. (Dr G. K. Anderson/Mr D. J. Elliott)
WHO-EM/CEHA/68-E Page 21
1 1 :00 - 12:00 Discussions/Case study
1 2:00 - 1 3 : 00 Development and use of check lists/methods for evaluating disposal sites. (Dr G. K. Anderson/Mr D. J. Elliott)
1 3 :30 - 1 5 :00 Selection and use of appropriate waste disposal manpower and equipment (Mr El-Hishan)
Mond:1v 03 April 1 995
08:30 - 1 5 :00 Site visit and evaluation of existing land til ls (AI-Akaider and Rusaifa) and their environmental health impacts
Tuesdav 0-1 April t 995
08 :30 - I 0 :30 Feasibility, planning and management of composting in El\1R. (Dr Natour)
1 1 :00 - 12:00 Discussions
1 2 :00 - 1 3 :00 Composting case study (Dr Natour)
1 3 :30 - 1 4 :30 Incinerat ion as a waste disposal option in EMR (Dr G. K. Anderson)
1 4:30 - 1 5 :3 0 Discussions
\Vednesdav 05 April 1 995
08:30 - 1 5 :00 Full day site visit and evaluation of landfill sites of Madaba. Mafraq and Humra, as well to a functional hospital waste incinerator
Tlrnrsd:iv 06 April 1 995
08:30 - 1 0 :30 Evaluation of course and recommendations (Dr G. K. Anderson)
1 1 :00 - 12:00 Closing
WHO-EM/CEHA/68-E Page 22
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
ISLMflC 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 NajafGovemorate
Eng. Mohamed Ali Abdel Ameer Chief Engineer Environmental Protection Centre Baghdad
JORDAN
Eng. Mohammad Khal ik Dabbas Ministry of Health Amman
Eng. William Salty Haddad Greater Amman Municipality Amman
MOROCCO
Dr Boukli Director Bureau Municipal d 'Hygiene Rabat
OMAN
WHO-EM/CEHA/68-E Page 23
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 Corporation Lahore
SUDAN
Mr Kamal Abdel Azim Ibrahim Director Environmental Health White Nile State
WHO-EM/CEHN68-E Page 24
Mr Mohamed El Gak Humrani do WR/Sudan
TUNISIA
Mr Raki Zghondi lngenieur Principal Office National de l' Assainissement Tunis
Mr Lotti 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 Sana'a University Sana'a
Mr Mohamed Abdul Wasih Al Iryani Head of Cleaning Division Environmental Health Department Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning Sana'a
OBSERVERS
United Nations Relief and \Vorks Agency for the Palestinian People in the Near East (UNR\VA)
Mr Hassan Salem Field Sanitary Engineer Jordan
Mr Ibrahim AI Abdallah Senior Sanitarian Lebanon
Mr Zohdi Salah Field Sanitary Engineer Gaza
\VHO-Er..1/CEHN68-E Page 25
\VHO SECRETARIAT
Dr M. Z. Ali Khan Coordinator 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. $. Al Hishan WHO National Temporary Adviser Greater Amman Municipality Amman
Eng. Mazen Malkawi Technical Assistant CEHA
UNITED NATIONS/INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Engineer Maha Akrouk Research Assistant Urbanization and Human Settlements Programme Centre for Environment and Development for the
Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) Cairo fuyJl!
