A Waste Management Review - possibilities to make a change with recycling 9 December 2009 Jim Straker
Where are we? Do you really know what is in the waste you throw out? Do you know where it goes after being collected? Who knows what are the real characteristics of the Qatar waste stream?
Waste amounts Domestic waste; 2500 tpd Commercial & Industrial; > 2500 tpd Construction & Demolition; 20,000 tpd
What happens now? Domestic collection from communal bins and nearby; Treatment & recycling at Compost Plant; Disposal at landfills; Umm Al Afai landfill; Al Shamal landfill; MIC landfill.
Where are we going? Planning under Qatar National Master Plan; SWM Framework; SWM Master Plan; SWM Action Plans. MIC, RLFC & DC SWM Plans; Government facility construction initiatives.
A Management Journey Planning for the journey; Need a map; Location for now and end. A plan for the trip phases; Preparation for the journey resources; Implementation plan; Timelines.
Government Initiatives (now) General Cleaning Project & Doha Municipality; Compost production; Steel recovery; Recycling pilot schemes; Recycling at Umm Al Afai. C&D Materials; Recycling at Umm Al Afai; Recycling contractor at Rawdat Rashid.
Government Initiatives (under way) DSWMC at Mesaieed (under construction); Compost solid & liquid; Metal recovery ferrous & non ferrous; Plastic recovery; Electrical energy. Four new transfer stations (under construction).
Location of Waste Management Facilities Transfer Stations Domestic Solid Waste Management Center
Layout of DSWMC aerial view
View of Waste to Energy Plant
View of Waste to Energy Plant
View of Compost Plant
Road blocks Recycling can physically happen; But, separated material is still a waste product until there is a demand or use; Few users of recyclable materials in Qatar. Need a Plan; Plan gives coordination; Plan gives a direction in which to head; Investment follows a Plan. Need a commitment; Investors need to see government commitment.
Other available recycling (1) Packaging materials; Pallet recovery & reuse; Cardboard recovery; Steel recovery; Timber recovery & reuse; Plastic materials.
C& D and Wood Waste Treatment 3000 tons / day @ Rawdat Rashed Wood shredder @ compost plant
Other available recycling (2) Commercial & Industrial waste exchanges; Other industries to use your waste or unwanted materials ; Water reuse WWTP water for non potable uses. Food wastes; Maybe >30% of purchased food is thrown out;? % of food is thrown out from commercial & retail facilities; Restaurant / café & hotel wastes.
Other available recycling (3) Tyres Retread more tyres Use as fuel; Reuse rubber.
Other available recycling (4) E Items (computers, games & phones); Precious metals; Plastics; Batteries. Household & white goods repair instead of discard; Goods exchanges; Furniture; Books; Plants; Clothes.
Closing ideas (1) Education; Schools; Industry groups; Media; NGO & other organisations; Industry & Government; Tell people what you are doing for recycling; What and where can I recycle.
Closing ideas (2) Part of World One Billion Trees project; Household plantings; Commercial & industrial area planting; A border for or within the utilities corridor around Doha (1300 metres wide and about 100 km long); Rehabilitation of former quarries & landfills; Use compost & treated effluents.
Closing ideas (3) Remember the 3R s; Reduce; Reuse; Recycle. Need to market and sell better environmental concepts; Public places & event recycling; Waste minimisation; Waste assessments; Review what you are doing or can influence; Use different products. Be aware, be involved and be proactive;
Do something which: Requires the least effort to implement; Achieves the most impact; Requires the cooperation of the least number of people; and Is reportable and is visible.