Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Sustainable Design and Implementation of a Solid Waste Management System in Kratovo, Macedonia: A Learning Partnership between University of Florida and Macedonia through Engineers without Borders
EPA Grant Number: SU833152Title: Sustainable Design and Implementation of a Solid Waste Management System in Kratovo, Macedonia: A Learning Partnership between University of Florida and Macedonia through Engineers without Borders
Investigators: Lindner, Angela S. , Schert, John D. , Kerkez, Branko , Rokicki, Chris , Smillova, Diana , Fisch, Jessica , Perry, John , Vernon, Julianne , Hodoval, Kelly , Hink, Kristin , Nolan, Lindsey , Fortier, Marie-Odile , Roberts, Mark , Wangusi, Nathan , Indeglia, Paul , Kelner, Rebecca , Keddy, Scott , Nepal, Smiti , Bailey, Tanner , Townsend, Timothy , Pineda, Vanessa
Institution: University of Florida , Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management , Jones Edmunds & Associates Inc. , Peak Development Consulting, Inc. , HDR Engineering Inc.
Current Institution: University of Florida , Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management , HDR Engineering Inc. , Jones Edmunds & Associates Inc. , Peak Development Consulting, Inc.
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: January 31, 2006 through December 31, 2009
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Chemical Safety , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The technical challenge that this project addresses is the urgent need to develop and implement a long-term, sustainable solid waste management program in Kratovo, Macedonia, a city of approximately 10,000 people where solid waste is currently disposed of in the streets, in its Tavacka River, and in an illegal and unsanitary landfill. Another challenge of this project is to effectively transfer information to the community of Kratovo including the city government officials, its citizens, and Peace Corps volunteers about the impacts of their current method of solid waste disposal on human and environmental health. The group’s efforts were focused on the following:
- Gain the trust and cooperation of the community through education and outreach;
- Focus on solutions with the greatest impact on public health;
- Reduce the total waste going to the unregulated landfill as much as possible;
- Address each component of the waste stream with a sustainable, engineered solution;
- Enhance the logistics and efficiency of the current waste collection system;
- Integrate the management program into the municipality’s goals and budget;
- Make river and street clean-up days routine; and
- Keep cultural considerations a priority.
The EWB team had to evaluate not only the extent of the waste problem but also the characteristics of the region’s topology and geology and the social fabric of the city in order to assess the most economical and appropriate method for waste disposal. The life cycle analysis in Figure 1 depicts the flow of the solid waste stream in Kratovo and the steps that were taken to examine each individual part.
Figure 1. Life Cycle Analysis of Waste Stream
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
After familiarizing themselves with the socio-economic and environmental conditions in Macedonia, the team made two assessment trips to the town. During both trips, the team developed relationships with critical contacts in Macedonia including with USAID, US Peace Corps, municipal leaders, business owners, residents, and students. EWB-UF conducted a preliminary waste management composition study and found the stream of the combined sample total was predominantly biodegradable organic wastes (60%) with a notable component of PET plastic bottles (14%). A composting initiative, which gained momentum almost immediately, was implemented and resulted in the removal of roughly 15% of biodegradable waste. This is attributed to the success of the education campaign that EWB-UF undertook during their second trip in December 2006. Following their first trip the team assembled a number of feasibility studies ranging from a medical waste incinerator, anaerobic digesters, recycling options, and improvements to the unlined landfill. During the second trip EWB-UF conducted a thorough GIS (Geographic Information Systems) study using advance GPS (Global Positioning Systems) equipment to trace the current collections routes and to get a volumetric estimate of the landfill. The study concluded that the current landfill lacks slope stability and is under the impending risk of collapse. Meetings with concerned citizens evaluated all feasibility alternatives and determined that the majority of people would like to see a system to manage the many PET bottles that are piling up all around the town. The results of a survey of the local population on their attitudes toward solid waste show that a considerable majority feels that more needs to be done to address their solid waste management needs and that over 50% would recycle plastics if given the opportunity.
Conclusions:
The group has consciously sought to deliver both immediate improvements as well as develop the necessary resources for ongoing work. The relationships that have been developed must be fostered and are vital the project’s success. The team hopes to educate as many citizens as possible about the benefits of a healthy environment and the small steps that can be taken to begin the clean-up. Following the successful implementation of a composting and educational program, the focus of the project should now shift towards eliminating the second most prevalent component of the waste-stream: PET plastic bottles. The general consensus of all parties involved in the project is that a PET recycling initiative will best serve the town’s current solid waste management needs. The development of a community-driven recycling program is anticipated to instill a sense of pride in the Kratovo citizens. It will also provide increased employment opportunities for citizens and help to promote eco-tourism in the town. Other environmental benefits will include lessening the load on an already overstressed solid waste management system and reducing the amount of waste currently going to an unsanitary landfill.
Phase II Objectives and Strategies:
Phase II of the EWB-UF P3 initiative will layout all the necessary aspects to develop a sustainable PET plastics recycling plan for Kratovo, Macedonia. All necessary components of the system will be addressed: collection and transportation, processing, separation, storage, operations, sustainable management, and community education. The EWB-UF team has designed affordable recycling bins that will be produced locally and will be placed throughout the town, based on GIS data retrieved during Phase I (see Figure 2 for graphical representation of Phase II). Arrangements to empty the bins and pick up the PET bottles on a weekly basis have been made with a local NGO, the municipality and Eko-Eras, a recycling company that will buy the collected plastics from the municipality. This recycling company has agreed to arrange pickup of the PET via its fleet of trucks on a monthly basis. It will thus be necessary to create a temporary storage and processing facility that will house plastics that have been locally collected and are awaiting pickup by Eko-Eras. To accommodate for the collection of 30-40 cubic meters of unsorted PET plastic per week, the municipality has generously donated a 1000 m2 parcel within the town. The compound will be fenced off and will feature a 300 m2 structure, designed by EWB-UF, to house the sorting and crushing operations.
Figure 2. Proposed Recycling Initiative
After EWB-UF sets up the PET collection infrastructure, the municipality will be able to employ local workers and equipment to make enough money to “break-even” in the process. Phase II will be broken down as such:
- Verification trial period with only five bins in key locations;
- Data collection and analysis of the trial period along with further implementation of a multifaceted educational lesson plans;
- Adjustment of final plan based on trial period;
- Construction of transfer station; and
- Full implementation of all 30 recycle bins placed throughout the town of Kratovo.
Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits of removing the PET plastic bottles from the streets and the river, many direct environmental and economic benefits will be realized through the implementation of Phase II. The recycling of PET will ensure a steady cycle of use and reuse. Since PET in the open environment is known to leak carcinogens such as antimony, steady removal of bottles from the unlined landfill will improve the quality of ground water and surrounding ecology. Following a successful implementation, EWB-UF’s recycling plan will ultimately be considered a success when it continues to be an asset to the community by providing jobs and additional support to the local municipality. A working recycling initiative in Kratovo will set the precedent for future recycling operations in Macedonia.
Supplemental Keywords:
Leachate, Waste Minimization, Pollution Prevention, Community-Based Decision-Making, Eastern Europe, Recycling,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Sustainable Industry/Business, Sustainable Environment, Technology for Sustainable Environment, International, Environmental Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, sustainable development, Macedonia, education, environmental sustainability, community based, biowaste, solid waste management, pollution preventionProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.