Workshop Report:

Regional Training Workshop on application of Sustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM)

15 -16 December 2010

Plaza Athénée Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Introduction

UNEP is implementing a project on Resource Efficiency in Southeast Asia with a financial support from Government of Republic of Korea. This subsequent regional training introducedSustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM), after the first regional training on “How to develop ISWM Plan” successfully held in Republic of Korea.

SAT is a methodological tool for informative decision-making, developed by UNEP.This workshop providedan overview of SAT and helped to build national and local capacity on application of SAT to select appropriate technologies for ISWM.Active exercisesfollowed by a theoretical basis consolidated its feasibility. Also, examining the case of PathumThaniProvince in Thailand, participants shared the process of implementation of SAT and discussed relevant challenges as well as opportunities.Furthermore, the workshop introduced international experiences to the participants. Cases in Tunisia, Bangladesh, and Republic of Korea let Southeast Asian representatives envisioned possible future scenarios with proper policies, strategies, and technology.

The two-day workshop was hosted by UNEP and KOICA on 15th to 16th December 2010 at thePlaza Athenee Hotel, with more than 30 attendees comprising of government officials, policy specialists, experts in environmental science and technology, etc.

Objectives

The aim of the workshop was:

  • To build national and local capacity on Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) in Southeast Asian countries, by understanding the holistic process ofSustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT)
  • To assist decision-makers and practitioners in making informative decisions on technologies for ISWM, including technologies for source segregation, collection and transportation, transfer stations with material recovery facility, treatment with energy recovery, and final disposal.
  • To examine SAT implementation through case studies abroad, as well as the pilot project on ISWM Plan for PathumThaniProvince in Thailand.

Presentations & Discussions

Day 1:

The workshop was opened by Dr. Young-Woo, Park, Regional Director of the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, who pointed out common misconception about technology. He urged that sometimes we were too obsessed by high-technologies and failed to notice that what we need is suitable technologies for the local level; these suitable technologies might be actually simpler than the most sophisticated ones.He reminded participants that simple and easy approaches could be fundamental to success. Moreover he mentioned that long-term vision for sustainable lifestyle would give us a way to improve the quality of life, and to do so, there should be collaborative actions to resolve challenging issues.

Most participants shared his point of view. Ms. Me Kyung, Lee from KOICA said we needed to take advantage of regional platform, to step into sustainable future. She thanked UNEP for arranging this regional training workshop. Next, Dr. Mushtaq Memon from UNEP IETC and Dr. Alice Sharp from ThammasatUniversity expressed their opinion. Both regarded how to select the most suitable technology as the most important issue for this workshop. Last but not least, Dr. Stefanos Fotiou encouraged participants that we could apply better management, viewing waste as new resource for the environment. After remarks, each participant introduced himself/herself and broke the ice for active discussion.

The first presenter, Dr. Stefanos Fotiou clarified the objectives for the SAT workshop. He briefly presented the KOICA funded project on Resource efficiency and Green Growth implemented by UNEP in which one component is on waste management. He said the workshop was a middle point of the project’s implementation which would involve multi-step approaches with various players: national government, technical providers, and financial stakeholders. He also envisioned enlarged regional meetings next year and appealed to continuous support.

After that, Dr. Mushtaq Memon facilitated whole sessions, delivering a comprehensive overview of ISWM related technologies as well as SAT methodology. Recognizing hardships for local authorities to make decision under various conditions, he explained characteristics of SAT. According to him, decision-making in SAT should be done not only in the strategic level but the operation level, to optimize every detail. It would entail manual processes for setting criteria, in consultation with experts including local stakeholders.To make sure the SAT technique feasible, stages of ISWM were introduced: Waste prevention and reduction; Source segregation and collection; Transfer stations; Treatment; and Disposal. Additionally, Dr. Memon showed theISWM case in Sri Lanka for participants’ reference.

In the afternoon, participants applied SAT for ISWM as a group. Each group set certain targets, arranged technical routes, assessed possibleoptions based on criteria, and made decision.

Day 2:

Second day of the workshop began with group presentations. Objectives dealt in the group exercise were organic waste management; environmentally-sound technology (EST) against illegal dumping; and Green Economy Initiatives.

The next item of the agenda was a presentation by Dr. Alice Sharp (ThammasatUniversity) on the ISWM Project for PathumThaniProvince in Thailand. Scrutinizing whole process of the Project, participants could seize both accomplishment and future tasks hereafter.

Another group discussion was followed by the case of Pathum Thani. Composition of groups reflected the various fields of participants, sorting them into three: central government, local/municipal government, and technical experts. Dr. Alice Sharp brought several issuesrelevant to the nature of waste in Pathum Thani, such as its increasing pattern, high portion of organic waste, uncollected waste, limited area for landfill, etc. Participants exchanged innovative ideas and possible suggestions, representing own experiences. Indeed, the discussion got much more colorful out of national borders, with international participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Viet Nam.

Lastly, presentations for international experiences enabled Southeast Asian representatives to broaden horizons. The first presentation from KOICA introduced a recent exemplary case in Tunisia for its E-waste management since November 2010. Then, Ms. Karin Andersson from ESCAP Urban Development Section presented simple and easy applications of IRRC (IntegratedResourceRecoveryCenter), jointly managed between UN and local NGO Waste Concern. Her messages gave great potential of public-private partnership in local waste management. Third presenter was Mr. Do Hyung, Kim from the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. He showed proactive and progressive strategies in national level, in line with long-term vision for the Green Growth.

Outcome

The workshop participants agreed that the UNEP Sustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) proved to be useful tools for national implementation and agreed on the following:

1)Technology selection: Targeting and Adaptation

National experts are encouraged to use simple, easy, and less expensive technologies that can be spread out widely. It was acknowledged that frequently we held misconceptions about technology, and it led to a very rash conclusion: environmentally sound technology could not be economically profitable. However, participants reminded that ‘effective’ technology would embody impacts on not only economic but also environmental. To choose the best suitable technology, the workshop also suggested that there should be a process for adaptation, concerning local issues which could not be covered globally.

2) Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM)

It was proposed to identify the stream of waste, from its origin to the end. Implementation of ISWM involves penetrating technological skills, in harmony with supportive policies and finances. To manage this whole process, it was agreed to engage public as far as possible, to exchange consultation and feedback with various stakeholders.

3) Interaction in every stage

The workshop also suggested that interaction among local/central authorities, private sectors,and NGOs should be strengthened to be able to effectively guide and coordinate this process of SAT. The process would cover not only for funding but operating, to ensure participatory approach towards the ISWM. Additionally, participants proposed a team-based management within SAT.

4) Regional Platform

Furthermore, it was considered that setting a regional platform could be an effective way for dealing similar issues on waste management in Southeast Asia. It would be of mutual benefit to be satisfactorywith getting concrete answers on how the region could arrange a more effective mechanism in ISWM.And it was likely to involve exchanges in both knowledge and technology, reflecting on the diversified use of SAT in different countries.

Subjective assessment

Findings

Almost all of participants said it was a meaningful step into the right direction, and they looked forward to seeing next workshop continuously. But many found the schedule too tight for scrutinizing, especially observing technologies applicable. Some participants suggested adding more days in current two-day workshop. Site visit or field trip for case study was also suggested, to examine technologies applied in reality. However, most were satisfied with the networking and experience-sharing it allowed them to conduct.

Although quite satisfied with the contents, a few participants wanted the next workshop to include financial issues in implementation that was not much discussed this time. The call for participation of representatives of the private sector was welcomed by most, as the workshop was mainly composed of governmental officials. Also, they hoped to interact with technological specialists, regional experts, Ministries such as environment and energy, municipal communities, NGOs, academia, and financial stakeholders. And it was proposed to share whole materials presented in the workshop as soft copies.

All in all, the Forum received a big thumb up from the participants, who found the experience very rewarding, and looked forward to repeating it.

<Figure 1> Evaluation results from participants

(Mean value based on 5.0 scale scoring, from 5 (Excellent) to 1 (Poor))

Actions to be taken

It was obvious that the workshop participants expected continuous active learning opportunities from now on, which is likely to be expanded to international level discussion/seminar. Remaining questions are to identify the extent of proper partners; technical issues to be discussed; and relevant financial and legal regulatory constraints.

The workshop was assured thatteam-based resource collection and analysis could be managed in collaboration withmost participants. On the other hand, participants asked UNEP for providing stable ground for such collaboration, as well as technical/financial support. Find a way for compromising needs between global standards and local condition will be a top priority for the next.

Annex 1: Outline of Agenda

15 December 2010

0830–0900 /

Registration

0900–0910 / Welcome Remarks / UNEP
0910–0920 / Opening Remarks / KOICA
09 20–1000 / Participants’ Introduction
1000–10 15 / Overview of SAT Training / Mr. Stefanos Fotiou
1015 – 1100 / Overview of SAT for ISWM related Technologies / Mr. Mushtaq Memon
11 00 – 11 15 / Tea Break
11 15 – 13 00 / SAT Methodology / Mr. Mushtaq Memon
13 00 – 14 00 / Lunch
14 00 – 15 30 / Cases of SAT Methodology application
-Sri Lanka
-Nepal
-Pakistan / Mr. Mushtaq Memon
15 30 – 15 50 / Tea Break
15 50 – 17 30 / Application of SAT Methodology for
Integrated Solid Waste Management (group work)
-Source segregation
-Collection and transportation
-Transfer stations with material recovery
-Treatment with energy recovery
-Final Disposal / Ms. Alice Sharp
Mr. Mushtaq Memon
Ms. Tunnie Srisakulchairak
Mr. Chao Nokyoo
17 30 / End of Day 1

16 December 2010

0900 – 10 00 / Role Play on
Application of SAT for ISWM / Mr. Mushtaq Memon
Ms. Alice Sharp
Participants
10 00 – 10 30 /

Tea Break

1030 – 1130 / Introduction of ISWM Project for Pathum Thani, Thailand / Ms. Alice Sharp
1130 – 13 30 / Possible Areas for Technology Identification for Pathum Thani ISWM / Group Discussion
13 30 – 14 00 / Lunch
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
14 00 – 14 30 / KOICA role in
CapacityBuilding and Technology Support / Ms. Me Kyung, Lee
(KOICA)
14 30 – 15 00 / Green Growth and Waste Management / Ms. Karin Andersson (ESCAP)
15 00 – 15 30 / Korea’s work on solid waste management / Mr. Do Hyung, Kim (MoE, Korea)
15 30 – 16 00 / Participants’ Feedback / All participants
16 00 – 16 15 /

Closing Remarks

/ UNEP - KOICA

Annex 2: List of Participants

No. / Name / Nationality / Position / E-mail
1 / Alice Sharp / Thailand / SIIT, ThammasatUniversity /
2 / Bussabong Jiaranai / Thailand / Director of the Health and Environment Division /
3 / Chao Nokyoo / Thailand / Director of Solid Waste and Night Soil Management, Pollution Control Department (PCD) /
4 / Chrin Sokha / Cambodia / Deputy Director-General, General Directorate of Technical Affairs, Ministry of Environment /
5 / Chutchai Champeawong / Thailand
6 / Daya Ram Nhuchhen / Thailand / Student from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). /
7 / Do Hyung, Kim / Korea /
8 / Feungrabil Satyasai / Thailand / Environmental consultant /
9 / Jirawat Markruksa / Thailand
10 / Kanokwan Kocharoen / Thailand / NakonRatchasimaMunicipality /
11 / Me Kyung, Lee / Korea / Policy Advisor | Climate Change & Environment Department, KOICA / ,
12 / Mungkorn Chaonkaew / Thailand / NakonRatchasimaMunicipality
13 / Mushtaq Memon / UNEP / Programme Officer
International Environmental Technology Centre
United Nations Environment Programme
2-110 Ryokuchi koen, Tsurumi-ku
Osaka 538-0036, Japan /
14 / Nathseth Yurawan / Thailand / Environmental consultant /
15 / Netiwit Roengsukpipatthana / Thailand / Senior Sanitary Engineer /
16 / Nilun Ruengpinyophun / Thailand / Environmental consultant /
17 / Noppadon Sinpaisansomboon / Thailand / Sanitation Engineering Director / ,
18 / Prit Sarathee / Thailand / Researcher for ISWM project /
19 / Piyapachr Nabangchang / Thailand
20 / Rapiphong Kullathamyothin / Thailand / Researcher for ISWM project /
21 / Strefanos Fotiou / UNEP / Regional Coordinator /
22 / Supattra Yamsrual / Thailand / Ph.D.student in Urban Environmental Management field of study, AIT / ,
23 / Tippawan Petehnopparat / Thailand / Tongta
24 / Tran Thi Thu Hien / Vietnam / Waste Management and Environment Promotion Agency (WEPA)
Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA)- MONRE / (office)
(private)
25 / Tunnie Srisakulchairak / UNEP / Associate Programme Officer /
26 / Ujang Solihin Sidik / Indonesia / Ministry of the Environment, RoI / &
27 / Vich Cheepsujjayan / Thailand / Environmental consultant /
28 / Vuttichai Kaewkrajang / Thailand
29 / Wanpen Tawipanyasap / Thailand /
30 / Wipawan Thammachataree / Thailand / Ms. Student from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). /
31 / Yahya Bin Othman / Malaysia /
32 / Yehah, Lee / UNEP / Intership /

Annex 3: Evaluation Results

Category / Evaluation parameter / Score*
(Mean Value)
Content / Usefulness and applicability / 4.61
Agenda and available time / 4.05
Material and PPTs / 4.26
Quality / Main presenters and trainers / 4.63
Objectives achieved / 4.42
Technical issues covered / 4.26
Logistics / Venue and technical facilities / 4.83
Pre-workshop arrangements / 4.58
On-site support / 4.53
Overall satisfaction / 4.66

* A scale measured from 5 (Excellent) to 1 (Poor)

Comments from participants

  • "I would like to suggest that the period for the next workshop to be extended to four to five days. Using attained knowledge, I will develop the Code of Practices for local government, to operate the Solid Waste Management (Mr. Chao Nokyoo, PCD, Thailand)."
  • "I hope to have more time allocated for exercise and discussion (Ms. Alice Sharp, Thammasat University, Thailand)."
  • "Looking into various country cases, I have learned a lot. I would like to see many exemplary cases, to apply them to my home country (Mr. Daya Ram Nhuchhen, AIT, Nepal)."
  • "If site visit or field trip was provided, it will let us better-understand the SAT in reality (Mr. Ujang Solihin Sidik, Ministry of Environment, Indonesia)."
  • "The workshop was very helpful for Vietnamese government, to build Program on prevention, reduction, reuse and recycle for solid waste, up to 2020. Next time, I am looking forward to hear voices from donors, as well as decision-makers (Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hien, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam)."
  • "I will disseminate knowledge by organizing workshops, seminars, and other meetings in Cambodia, at national and sub-regional levels, in accordance with Environmental Strategic Plan 2009-1013 (Mr. Chrin Sokha, Ministry or Environment, Cambodia)."
  • "National government can arrange a project-team, composed of Solid Waste Department officials and policy specialists. What we need further is financial budget (Mr. Yahya Bin Othman, Department of Environment, Malaysia)."

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