Beginnings Issue 16

PIOJ—Sustainable Development & Regional Planning Division

Beginnings Volume 5 Issue 16 June 2011

Innovative Waste Management in Jamaica

In

Creating Environmentally Friendly Waste Treatment Systems

This Issue...

By The Scientific Research Council, & the Planning Institute of Jamaica

Introduction

Innovative Waste Management in Jamaica

1

SD Events and More

5

Off the Bookshelf

6

An Integrated Waste Management Strategy for Jamaica

7

International Year of Forests

11

Forest Trek 2011 Pictures

Beginnings

12

Jamaica‘s growth and development over the last few years has been accompanied by a steady increase in the amount of waste generated, moving from 0.7 kg/day per capita in 2006 to 0.86 kg/day per capita in 2010. While an increase in the amount of waste generated can have negative impacts on the environment, health and general quality of life; if waste streams are innovatively and properly managed, there are many benefits to be gained. One of the ways in which this is currently being done is the exploration of waste management options for bio-waste1 such as composting, incineration, landfilling, and anaerobic wastewater treatment.

This article will examine the development of anaerobic wastewater systems in Jamaica and the economic and environmental benefits to be derived from its use.

What is Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment?

Anaerobic wastewater treatment uses biological agents in an oxygen-free environment to remove impurities from wastewater. After undergoing such a treatment, water can be safely released back into the environment. The biological agents

used in this process are naturally occurring microorganisms that consume or break down biodegradable material in the wastewater.

Anaerobic wastewater treatment is also known as anaerobic digestion due to the action of the microorganisms. That is, they are essentially "digesting" the organic portion of the polluted water. Anaerobic digestion is essentially a process/technology that is utilized in the biological treatment to decrease the amount of organic matter in waste material such as sewage, food processing water and any factory wastewater such as the coffee factory, rum factor and the diary factory. Anaerobic digestion can be utilized to treat waste from any factory containing organic material.

The anaerobic process takes place in sealed tanks, located either above or below the ground. There are four stages of conversion that the organic material undergoes. During the initial stages of the organic matter (carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins) breakdown, the microorganisms, which are bacteria, converts the complex molecules into organic acids. In the final stages of anaerobic wastewater treatment, the organic (Continued on page 3)

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Vol.5 Issue 16

From The Editor

along with useful tips on how you can play your part in making Jamaica waste efficient.

The subject of waste management, though often not given the desired attention, is one which affects everyone in every strata of society. A typical person living in an industrialized country discards about 2 kg of solid waste each day, but household garbage makes up only a portion of this amount.

Offices, construction sites, restaurants, farms, and manufacturing plants produce most of the solid waste generated every day.

Industrialized countries annually generate more than 408 million metric tons of solid waste. In the United States alone, solid waste generation has increased 235 per cent in the last 40 years to more than 11 billion metric tons annually, (Maczulak, 2010).

Where our small island of Jamaica is concerned, the facts are just as startling. It is reported that Jamaica produces approximately 900,000 tonnes of solid waste annually, of which plastics make up approximately 14 per cent (Jamaica Environment Trust).

The Beginnings

This issue focuses on what Jamaica is doing to contribute to the concept of ―Reduce, Reuse, Recycle‖ in our lead article on the Biodigester Septic Tank and its environmental and financial benefits. We also examine aspects of the National Waste Management Strategy which was developed out of a response to the increase in the quantity and diversity of waste generated by population growth, the influx of technology, increased urbanisation, and increased per capita income and other waste generating drivers.

Beginnings

joins with the United Nations in celebrating the International Year of Forests and recognizes this in a special section on the event and how it is being celebrated locally. Be sure to view the exciting pictures of the Forestry Department‘s Forest Trek 2011 which was held in June.

We also present a number of useful online reading material on waste management in our ―Off the Bookshelf” and ―Reading List” section

Special thanks to Mrs. Marcia Henry and Mrs. Julia Brown of the Scientific Research Council, Jamaica who provided information and pictures for our main article. I hope you find this issue informative and fun and that it will inspire you to be a waste management champion in your own way, however small.

As John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day stated — "Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."

References Jamaica Environmental Trust, Earth Facts: Why Recycling is Important. Available online: http://www.jamentrust.org/en/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=82&Itemid=110 Maczulak, Anne. Waste Treatment: Reducing Global Waste (2010)

Thank You.

Nadine Brown Editor/Desktop Publisher

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!! team would like to get your valuable feedback and response in order to provide

relevant information and links about issues important to YOU! Send us your input on sustainable development related websites, events, projects, articles, workshops etc. and we will gladly include them in our publication.

Beginnings Editorial Team Toni-Shae Freckleton Kim Hoo Fatt Kathryn Williams

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who may find the information useful. Past issues of Beginnings are posted on the official website of the PIOJ at: http://www.pioj.gov.jm Beginnings is a biannual newsletter of the Sustainable Development & Regional Planning Division, Planning Institute of Jamaica. The opinions expressed by our contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Beginnings. Please send comments to: The Editor, Beginnings, 16 Oxford Road, Kingston 5. Tel: (876) 935-5058 Fax (876) 906-4465 Email: nbrown@pioj.gov.jm

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Innovative Waste Management ...

technology with the implementation of tertiary systems to facilitate treatment to ensure the discharged effluent meets the required standards. The tertiary system utilizes the natural environment to further treat the water after it leaves the drying beds.

(Continued from page 1)

acids are converted by a single-cell microorganisms known as a methanogens, into methane, the combustible portion of biogas and carbon dioxide as the major components of the gas.

Scientific interest in the manufacturing of gas produced by the natural decomposition of organic matter, was first reported in the seventeenth century by Robert Boyle and Stephen Hale. They noted that flammable gas was released by disturbing the sediment of streams and lakes. The first anaerobic digester was built by a leper colony in Bombay, India in 1859. In 1895 the technology was developed in Exeter, England, where a septic tank was used to generate gas for the sewer gas destructor lamp, a type of gas lighting.

Also in England, in 1904, the first dual purpose tank for both sedimentation and sludge treatment was installed in Hampton.

Through scientific research, anaerobic wastewater treatment gained academic recognition in the 1930s. This research led to the discovery of anaerobic bacteria, the microorganisms that facilitate the process.

Further work was developed during World War II, during which in both Germany and France there was an increase in the application of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of animal manure.

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Development of Biodigester Septic Tanks (BSTTM) to replace septic tanks. The BSTTM uses anaerobic technology to treat domestic waste. SRC works with housing developers, schools, institutions and communities to implement BSTTM accross the country. SRC currently holds a patent and trademark for the BSTTM. Over 300 of these BSTTM have been implemented over the island.

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Development of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactor. Utilizes anaerobic technology to treat industrial, agroprocessing and municipal waste. This refined anaerobic system efficiently treats the complex waste at the large scale.

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Commissioning of a UASB Reactor (the first in Jamaica) to treat food waste produced at the Food Technology Institute, SRC and a bammy factory in St. Catherine.

Today, anaerobic wastewater treatment systems are used in both developed and developing countries. In developing countries, simple home and farm-based anaerobic digestion systems offer the potential for cheap, low-cost energy for cooking and lighting. While in developed countries anaerobic digestion has been used to reduce pollution in waste streams and generate energy for electricity generation to the national grid.

Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment in Jamaica The Scientific Research Council (SRC) is the sole provider of anaerobic wastewater treatment technology in Jamaica. The SRC provides technical support to the municipal, industrial and agroprocessing sectors in the design, implementation, commissioning and operation and maintainance of wastewater treatment systems. Some of the achievements include:

Biodigester Septic Tank Under Construction

Biodegester /Biodigester Septic Tank  Reuse of treated sewage and wastewater for irrigation and soil conditioning. Establishment of Sidgrains pilot project which demonstrated that treated wastewater can grow crops economically, and reduce the use of potable water for irrigation. 

Biogas/Anaerobic Technology. Developed to promote the use of alternate sources of energy, supplement total energy demand, utilize waste and provide organic fertilizer and biogas while preserving a healthy environment. Over 400 biodigesters have been commissioned on farms/households islandwide. A large-scale system was also commissioned in 2010 at a major fast food chain. Since 1993, SRC has enhanced this

The Biodigester System operates on the principles of anaerobic technology, and is used to treat organic waste. Another variant, the Biodigester Septic Tank (BST) is an on-site sanitation unit that utilizes anaerobic technology for the disposal and treatment of toilet (black) wastewater as well as of kitchen and bathroom (grey) water, in a enclosed system. The SRC currently applies this technology using the BST instead of septic tanks and absorption pits in several institutions, housing complexes and single households to treat domestic sewage.

Many communities, farms, organizations and institutions have benefited from Scientific and Technological solutions, as the SRC

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Innovative Waste Management ... works with them to develop environmentally friendly waste management systems. The SRC had assisted with the development and implementation of a Biodigester System for the treatment of banana skin and liquid waste - sewage; to generate biogas and organic fertilizer at a chip factory. The organic fertilizer (treated solid waste) is utilized by the factory and/or sold to small farmers as soil conditioners. A puffery in Hatfield, Manchester, is another example of the successful application of Biodigester Technology. At the Boys‘ Home, food crops are produced from treated organic waste, treated wastewater is used for irrigation, and biogas used for the operation of Pig Brooders.

80 per cent.

The Need for Biodigester Septic Tanks The Biodigester Septic Tank is particularly useful in the Jamaican context as it provides a formidable solution to a number of waste water treatment issues. Some of these are:

Weed seeds - AD kills many weed seeds and hence there is less need for herbicides.

      

Pollution - AD can lower the biological oxygen demand, (BOD - a measure of the polluting strength of a material) in the feedstock to less than 40 per cent of that in the digestate.

However, BOD of digestate is still extremely high relative to the discharge standards for wastewaters.

Pathogens - pathogens in the feedstock, such as salmonella, are lowered by AD.

Plant nutrients - management of plant nutrients is aided by mechanical separation of the digestate. Plant nutrients in the fibre fraction can be exported off farms as a soil conditioner, or further processed into granular organic fertiliser or combustible fuel.

The discharge of untreated wastewater on economically important natural resources such as rivers and seas, and their ecosystems leads to their destruction.

The inadequate handling and disposal of sewage leads to health problems.

Household sewage generated is causing serious pollution of surface and ground waters.

The present ‗on-site‘ systems of sewage disposal do not provide much in the way of treatment.

The extremely high cost of high tech systems (activated sludge, oxidation ditches etc.).

The use of the generated biogas which can be used in place of LPG and firewood.

The need for alternative energy sources.

Handling - compared to raw slurry, digestate flows easier and requires less mixing before spreading.

Grazing - cattle can reject grass spread with untreated slurry; they do not readily reject grass spread with digestate.

Financial Biogas gives direct financial returns when used to generate electricity. Including the value for renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) further increases these returns. Use of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit to produce electricity and hot water is of further benefit, provided the heat produced can be utilised fully to heat the digester and for export. Biogas can also be used in modified gas boilers to produce hot water for use on site, or for export. In addition, biogas can be scrubbed of impurities and fed into a natural gas grid, or used as a fuel for cars, buses and trains.

Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion There are many benefits to be derived from the use of anaerobic technology. The method is simple in construction and operation, and consequently inexpensive. Biogas Projects should aid in the reduction of fuel cost, as it is more cost effective to use biogas than Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) as fuel. The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland states other benefits to include: Environmental Methane - released to the atmosphere during normal storage and utilisation of farm slurries. Methane is 23 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). Anaerobic digestion (AD) collects methane and provides a source of renewable energy that is carbon neutral i.e. provides energy with no net increase in atmospheric CO2.

It is clear that the benefits to be derived from the use of this technology are far reaching. It is hoped that the wider society will seek to realize these benefits by trading in the old septic systems for the innovative and eco-friendly biodigester septic tanks as well as the other stated systems.

Bio-waste is defined as biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, caterers and retail premises, and comparable waste from food processing plants. It does not include forestry or agricultural residues, manure, sewage sludge, or other biodegradable waste such as natural textiles, paper or processed wood. It also excludes those byproducts of food production that never become waste.

1

.

Bibliography

Fertiliser - compared to undigested slurry, the nitrogen in digestate is more readily available as a plant nutrient.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-anaerobic-wastewater-treatment.htm. Accessed in July, 2011

Smell - AD can lower the odour from farm slurries by up to

http://www.afbini.gov.uk/index/services/specialist-advice/renewable-energy/re-anaerobicdigestion-intro/re-anaerobic-digestion-benefits.htm. Accessed in July, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic_digestion. Accessed in July, 2011

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SD Events and More Sustainable Development Events The 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC 2011) 26 to 29 July 2011 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 2011 International Conference on Energy and Electrical Systems (ICEES 2011) 12 to 14 August 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2011 International Conference on Green Buildings and Sustainable Cities (GBSC 2011) 15 to 16 September 2011 Bologna, Italy

WASTE REDUCING TIPS REDUCE the waste you produce in the first place:

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Buy goods with little or no packaging or pack-

Reading List Global Challenges of Managing Organic Waste http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/display/article-display/ _saveArticle/articles/waste-management-world/volume-12/issue-1/ features/global-challenges-of-managing-organic-waste.html Closing the Gap http://www.2cg.ca/pdf_files/swrdec-jan09.pdf Action Needed: The Case for Recycling http://www.naturalnews.com/ 026745_recycling_water_environment.html A Model of Eco-Efficiency and Recycling http://www.economics-ejournal.org/economics/journalarticles/2009-21 Household Solid Waste Characteristics and Management in Rural Communities http://mypdfsearch.info/Household-Solid-Waste-Characteristics-andManagement-in-Rural-....html

aging that can be recycled.

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Also buy refills and concentrates – these usually involve less packaging.

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A Comparison of Alternative Solid Waste Management Practices http://mypdfsearch.info/A-Comparison-of-Alternative-Solid-WasteManagement-Practices.html

Repair an item instead of replacing it, or if you no longer want it, give it to a person who does.

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Avoid buying disposable items such as paper plates and foam cups.

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Print or photocopy articles on both sides of the paper – it saves money on buying paper and on storage and postage.

© Seppo Leinonen, www.seppo.net

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Off the Bookshelf

Waste Management and GHGs

The Paradox of Development

Waste and Climate Change presents examples of the

Solid waste has become a major consequence of development and modernization, yet some of the greatest challenges to its management are felt most keenly in the developing countries. This is part of the larger paradox of development; namely, that factors that create the most intransigent problems currently facing the developing countries are invariably those which derive from development itself." Introduction

potential benefits of different waste management activities for climate change abatement, discusses the relationships between waste and climate change, and identifies specific impacts of waste management on climate change.

The objective of the publication is to identify the potential impacts and benefits of different waste management systems in terms of climate impact, derived from information presented in the literature. Based on these findings, a framework is proposed for developing a UNEP-led international strategy targeting waste and climate change initiatives. It also attempts to guide the strategy framework towards allocation of limited resources to priority actions, aligned with both climate change mitigation and the waste hierarchy.

The publication examines the climate impact of management systems for municipal solid waste (MSW), commercial and industrial (C&I) waste (excluding mining and munitions), construction and demolition (C&D) waste, agricultural waste, and hazardous waste (where data is available), at a global scale.

Wastewater management is not addressed within the scope of the present report.

Waste and Climate Change: Global trends and strategy framework Compiled by United Nations Environmental Programme Division of Technology, Industry and Economics International Environmental Technology Centre Osaka/Shiga Copyright Š United Nations Environment Programme, 2010 http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/spc/ Waste&ClimateChange/Waste&ClimateChange.pdf

Solid Waste Management presents a collection of papers which, with perspectives from Africa and the Caribbean, raise critical issues in the management of solid waste.

It is intended to offer a basis for discussion among the wide range of disciplines and sectors involved in solid waste management and suggest directions for future work both in the theoretical and practical dimensions of the challenge with which developing countries are confronted.

Solid Waste Management: Critical Issues For Developing Countries Elizabeth Thomas-Hope Paperback: 296 pages Publisher: Canoe Pr (August 8, 1998) Language: English ISBN-10: 9768125438 ISBN-13: 978-9768125439 Engineering Waste

Solid Waste Engineering addresses the growing and increasingly intricate problem of controlling and processing the refuse created by our urban society. While the authors discuss issues such as regulations and legislation, their main emphasis is on solid waste engineering principles. They maintain their focus on principles by first explaining the basic principles of the field, then demonstrating how these principles are applied in real world settings through worked examples. By using this book as part of a graduate or advanced undergraduate course students will emerge being able to think reflectively and logically about the problems and solutions in solid waste engineering.

Solid Waste Engineering 2nd Edition Worrell; Vesilind Publisher: Cengage Learning Engineering Copyright year: Š 2012 Pages: 433

eText ISBN-10 1-133-20727-8 ISBN-13 978-1-133-20727-6 Print ISBN-10 1-4390-6217-X ISBN-13 978-1-4390-6217-3

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IN FOCUS An Integrated Waste Management Strategy for Jamaica (excerpts from the document prepared by Ianthe Smith)

P

opulation growth, the influx of and relatively rapid

obsolescence of technology, increased urbanisation, increased per capita income, improvements in standard of living and expansion of tourism have all combined to result in an increase in the quantity and diversity of waste generated. The country generated 0.86 kg/day per capita in 2010. As a result, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has indicated that while there is the need for a focus on solid waste, the increase in the quantity and diversity of waste being generated, including ewaste, hazardous, sewage and wastewater have resulted in an even greater urgency for an integrated waste management strategy along with an accompanying Action Plan. This is necessary as Jamaica seeks to attain developed country status by 2030. The country‘s Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan also emphasizes the need for an efficient and effective waste management system.

With respect to waste management, the Government has highlighted the following critical concerns:  The absence of a national integrated waste management strategy and action plan which is supported by an adequate and appropriate policy, legislative and institutional framework  The fragmentary and uncoordinated approach to the management of waste. Initiatives for waste management are spread across several ministries and agencies and therefore requires a streamlined and integrated approach  The need to deal with the increasing waste generation in the Riverton Wasteshed and the possible relocation of the Riverton Disposal Site, which has been projected to attain its useful life within the next 5-7 years  The need for an appropriate waste separation programme which would assist in recycling and reuse of material to reduce the volume of waste for disposal These concerns impelled the need for the development of an Integrated Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan aimed at promoting efficient and effective waste management within Jamaica. The Strategy and Action Plan was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and was completed in March 2010. Technical oversight for the

development of the Integrated Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan was provided by a Steering Committee comprising the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Ministry of Health, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Environmental Management Division, Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Local Government, Office of the Prime Minister and the IDB. This article will briefly look at the priority waste types and issues that require urgent management and highlight some of the broad strategies outlined in the document.

National Priorities Jamaica‘s waste streams mainly consist of the following waste types:

Through consultations with key stakeholders, the Integrated Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan highlighted the most important areas of waste management that require urgent attention. These are outlined in Figure 1 on page 8.

Strategies It was generally concluded from the public consultations and the Steering Committee Meetings that there are a number of prerequisite for the waste management sector to function optimally. These include: 1. Recognising waste management as a national priority; ensuring bi-partisan agreement (at the political level) on strategies to improve waste management

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Integrated Waste Management Strategy...

Figure 1: Important Areas of Waste Management

2. Having a Ministry responsible for the environment instead of combining the portfolio with other Ministries and/or removing its obvious Ministerial status. This diminishes its importance in the eyes of the public 3. Consistently communicating the importance of waste management in relation to good health and a clean environment 4. Establishing a sustainable financial mechanism for beneficiaries to pay for waste management services 5. Promoting the economic value of waste.

The following strategies to address the waste management issues facing Jamaica within the context of the priority areas were developed from the situational analysis, Steering Committee Meetings as well as stakeholder discussions and consultations.

Institutional Relationships

Arrangements

and

Interagency

The institutional and interagency strategies that should be pursued include: 1. Streamlining the management of the waste sector by strengthening an existing agency and separating regulatory and operational roles 2. Ensuring that there are adequate resources for regulators to manage additional responsibilities associated with

regulations enacted 3. Improving information flow in the sector through mechanism for (a) regulators to meet as a group and (b) regulators and operators to meet, to resolve problems, discuss issues and ensure the orderly development of the sector.

Policy From the situational analysis and stakeholder consultations the following policy strategies were developed: 1. Develop a single integrated waste management policy which addresses the following: a.

Government entities not regulating their own operations b. Polluter pays principle where beneficiaries pay for waste management services commensurate with the cost of providing the services c. Private sector and public-private participation in the waste sector 2. Institutionalise green procurement policies across the public sector by requiring: a. all entities, public and private to consider the end of life treatment and disposal requirements associated with goods and services to be procured for operations, projects and programmes b. all investors to consider the end of life treatment and disposal requirements associated with their potential investments as a mandatory requirement

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Integrated Waste Management Strategy...

3.

Strengthen the policy implementation capability of Ministries and Agencies particularly as it relates to waste management

Regulatory Framework 1. Strengthening or enacting legislation to support regulators so that they can do their job effectively and fulfil their mandate 2. Encouraging compliance with waste management legislation 3. Strengthening the capacity of enforcement personnel and the judiciary to effectively regulate the waste sector

2.

3.

4.

5.

goods and services, particularly where materials have to be imported to avoid where possible hazardous waste that will be generated and/or account for the cost of safe disposal Ensure that the capability exists for safe hazardous waste (interim) storage Develop the capability to treat and dispose of some hazardous and special waste locally Implement appropriate cost recovery mechanisms to support hazardous/special/radioactive/medical waste management Ensure that the capability exists in either the public or private sector to respond to emergencies associated with hazardous substances and waste.

Financing the Waste Sector 1. Finance public sector waste management through a mixture of levies, taxes and fees 2. The polluter pays principle applies. Regulators and operators are to implement cost recovery measures as a component of service delivery a. for regulators - regulatory fees and fines, b. for operators - revenue to cover operational costs (at least) and possibly make a profit to keep the entity viable 3. Review existing arrangements for financing municipal solid waste management services through property taxes and modify or develop a new model so that revenue collected can pay for the services Municipal Solid Waste Management 1. Ensure an efficient and reliable municipal garbage collection service involving private and public sector stakeholders 2. Ensure the efficient and environmentally sound operation of disposal sites and ensure that there are adequate plans for the development of new sites and the environmentally acceptable closure of those taken out of service. The disposal site development plans must take into consideration and be compatible with other waste management strategies such as waste minimisation, recycling and resource recovery.

Hazardous/Special/Radioactive/Medical Waste Management 1. Implement systems to properly assess the life cycle of

Tipping Face at Riverton at 11:00 a.m. September 15, 2009

Public Education 1. Ensure that there is a sustained, comprehensive, harmonised public education programme regarding (integrated) waste management 2. Explore the use of low cost but effective public and community education programmes to promote behaviour change Community-based waste management initiatives Ensuring that a. the capacity exists within the agencies responsible for waste management to provide technical assistance and guidance to communities interested in developing waste management initiatives b. mechanisms are in place to promote community based waste management solutions especially in areas where collection services are not provided c. communities know where to access information and technical support for waste management initiatives d. low cost funding is available to assist with the start up costs

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Integrated Waste Management Strategy...

associated with the initiatives Skilled personnel 1. The provision of training, certification and licencing through local institutions 2. Promoting the formation of sector associations 3. Recognising the work of professionals in the area of waste management.

Occupational Health and Safety 1. Develop occupational health and safety standards for the waste sector supported by legislation and enforcement by the relevant body (Ministry of Labour) 2. Ensure mandatory safety training for workers in the waste management sector Research and Technological Developments

Composting Toilet Queue Š Seppo Leinonen, www.seppo.net

1. Provide funding to help to promote research in the waste sector and facilitate the use of technology for development of the sector Action Plan Based on the priorities listed and the strategies described in the preceding section, a medium-term action plan covering 3-4 years has been developed.

A multidisciplinary team Waste Management Council (WMC), will oversee and ensure the implementation of the action plan. The team will include representatives from relevant ministries and agencies. The WMC will assess the need for technical assistance and/or other resources and will coordinate the process of identifying the required resources through the appropriate entity (Ministry or Agency) in accordance with Government guidelines.

Waste Stream Š Seppo Leinonen, www.seppo.net

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International Year of Forests 

What is the International Year of Forests?

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2011 as the International Year of For es ts (For es ts 2 0 11).

Everyone from Governments and the UN system, to major groups and other forest-related organizations are invited to come together to raise awareness on strengthening the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.

The International Year of Forests 2011 (Forests 2011) logo is designed to convey the theme of ―Forests for People‖ celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of our world‘s forests. The iconographic elements in the design depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a 360‐degree perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water; and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well-being of people everywhere.

In celebration of the International year of Forests, Jamaica‘s Forestry Department has scheduled a series of activities which includes a School Poster, Song and Model Competition, island-wide consultations and the following activities: Activities Hike to Holywell National Tree Planting Day Forestry Seminar Forestry Department Exposition

Dates June October 7, November 23 November 24

More information on upcoming activities can be obtained from the official website of the Forestry Department at http://www.forestry.gov.jm/

Forests cover 31 per cent of total global land area.

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Forests store more than 1 trillion tons of carbon.

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Over 1.6 billion people‘s livelihoods depend on forests.

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Trade in forest products was estimated at $327 billion in 2004.

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Forests are home to 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity.

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30 per cent of forests are used for production of wood and nonwood products.

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Forests are home to 300 million people around the world.

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Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

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Forests contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air.

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Over 40 per cent of the world's oxygen is produced from rainforests.

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A tree releases 8-10 times more moisture into the atmosphere than the equivalent area of the ocean.

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Forests protect watersheds which supply fresh water to rivers – a critical source of the water we drink and use in our daily lives.

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Tropical forests provide a vast array of medicinal plants used in healing and health care, worth an estimated $108 billion a year.

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More than a quarter of modern medicines originate from tropical forest plants.

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Forests curb transmission of infectious diseases. Undisturbed tropical forests can have a moderating effect on the spread of insect- and animal-borne diseases.

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40 per cent of the world‘s population lives in malaria infested regions. Heavily deforested areas can see a 300-fold increase in the risk of malaria infection compared to areas of intact forest.

Source: United Nations Forum on Forests (http://www.un.org/esa/forests/index.html)

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