ESIA –Tunisia PCBs management and disposal and HCW management improvement Project
Executive Summary ANGed - June 2010 revised
DEMONSTRATING AND PROMOTING BEST TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES FOR MANAGING HEALTHCARE WASTE AND PCBS PROJECT
GEF GRANT N0-FF056587
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
September 24, 2010
GEREP-Environment
17 Mustapha Abdessalem Street ; El Menzah V, 2037 - TUNISIA
Tel: (+216) 71752976/71236248 Fax: (+216) 71234825
www.gerep-environnement.com
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND COMPONENTS 3
2.1 Objective 3
2.2 Project Components 4
3. Summary of regulatory and institutional requirements for project concept and implementation 4
3.1 Institutional and Regulatory Arrangements for Project Implementation 5
3.2 World Bank Safeguard Policies 7
4. HCW SUB-PROJECT 8
4.1 Project Description 8
4.2 Technical, economic, and environmental alternatives comparison 9
4.3 Project Environmental and Social Assessment 11
4.4 Mitigation framework 12
4.5 Environmental and Social Management Framework Plan and Cost Estimates 14
4.6 Environmental and Social Monitoring Framework 1716
4.7 Capacity building and training 19
4.8 Implementation timetable for the HCW components and sub-components activities (2011-2014) 21
5. PCB SUB-COMPONENT 22
5.1 Project description 2322
5.2 Diagnosis of current PCB management practices in Tunisia Error! Bookmark not defined.24
5.3 Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Framework 26
5.3.1 Potential impacts of the current PCB management 26
5.4 Mitigation Framework 28
5.5 Environmental and Social Management Framework and Cost Estimates 29
5.6 Environmental and Social Monitoring Framework 3332
5.7 Capacity-Building and Training 3534
5.7.1 Implementation of oversight and performance procedures, training and technical assistance 3534
5.7.2 Management Structure for PCB Project Activities 3534
6. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS 3938
Public Consultation Findings 3938
1. INTRODUCTION
This report is the Executive Summary of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Framework (ESIAF) of the Tunisia Management and disposal of Hazardous Healthcare Waste (HCW) and PCBs Project.
This study is a framework assessment which aims at establishing a set of environmental and social procedures which will represent the basis for project implementation. This assessment is an exhaustive analysis and a comprehensive study on socio-economic and environmental impacts for improving healthcare waste and PCBs in Tunisia, in the context of a project co-financed by the Global Environmental Facility and the Tunisian Government.
This Framework assessment will be followed by specific ESMPs and environmental audits for PCBs storage areas and PCB contaminated sites, and storage areas of health care waste which will be identified prior to t implementation.
The ESIAF report was prepared according to the World Bank safeguard policies (specifically OP 4.01 on environmental assessment) and the Tunisian environmental conditions and regulations regarding the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), particularly Decree no. 2005-1991 of July 11, 2005, related to the environmental impact study which define those unit categories for whch a EIA shoulbe conducted and unit catagories for which environmental specifications should be inincluded
In addition, the ESIAF is primarily based on feasibility studies already prepared under the proposed project: (i) the diagnostic study on HCW management in pilot areas, the development of an HCW management strategy for Tunisia and the feasibility study, and (ii) the feasibility study for the PCBs management plan in Tunisia.
This study was carried out by an independent consulting firm: GEREP-Environment. Key technical staff includes a team of environmentalists and an environmental economist with extensive experience in hazardous waste management and the technical support staff includes two environmental engineers. (See Annex)
2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND COMPONENTS
2.1 Objective
The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve handling of PCBs and management of health care waste through establishing sound and sustainable management programs and improving modalities of public private partnerships for waste management.
The Global Environment Objective (GEO) is to reduce POPs releases, specifically those of dioxins, furans and PCBs in Tunisia by strengthening the country’s regulatory and institutional frameworks to improving the HCW management system and phasing out the existing PCB equipment
.
This project will allow Tunisia to fulfill its obligations under the Stockholm Convention and strengthen its national waste management capacities.
2.2 Project Components
The project includes two sub-projects:
Sub-project 1: Improving Healthcare Waste Management (HCW): In the context of this project, an appropriate waste management system will be implemented, in accordance with the provisions of the Tunisian Decree no. 2745 of July 28, 2008, regarding management arrangements for healthcare waste activities (particularly those related to sorting, collection, storage, transport, and treatment).
An annual quantity of 3184 tons of healthcare waste, generated by public health facilities and hospitals in the following parts of the country: North (1555 T/year in the Governorates of: Tunis, Ariana, Manouba, Ben Arous), Center (937 T/year in the Governorates of: Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia and Kairouan) and South (692 T/year in the Governorates of: Safax, Gabès, Tataouine and Medenine).
Also included in this project, are the private healthcare facilities especially in the "Awareness-raising, training and capacity building" component. These facilities generate: 845 t/year in Greater Tunis, 163 T/year in the central area, and 253 T/year, in the south.
The implementation period of this sub-project will be 4 years. Its total cost excluding physical contingencies is US$9.5.5 million to be financed through a GEF contribution of US$2.14 million and co-financing from the Tunisian Government and the private sector of US$7.37 million.
Sub-project 2: Management and disposal of waste and PCB contaminated equipment in Tunisia: An environmentally and economically rational policy will be identified under this project, in addition to best practices and technical procedures for waste and PCB contaminated equipment management in Tunisia, in accordance with existing conventions and legislation in force.
The quantity of PCB and oil contaminated equipment to be treated is a project priority and amounts to 1,100 tons. It covers equipment (some operational but in poor condition) and waste oil.
The phase first of this sub-project will be implemented in 4 years. The total cost of this sub-project excluding physical contingencies is US$5.88 million financed by a GEF contribution of US$2.96 million and co-financing from the Tunisian Government and the private sector of US$2.92 million.
3. Summary of regulatory and institutional requirements for project concept and implementation
Regarding PCBS, it is worth mentioning that a circular from the Ministry of National Economy dated 1986, banned PCB containing equipment imports.
The regulatory requirements for project design and implementation are:
Ø EIA and the ESMP for project concept and monitoring (HCW and PCB)
Ø Law no. 96-41 of June 1996 on control, management and disposal of waste as well as application decrees (HCW and PCB)
Ø Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development approval of hazardous waste collection, transport and disposal activities (HCW and PCB)
Ø Law No. 97-37 of July 2, 1997 on hazardous waste road transport as well as application decrees (HCW and PCB)
Ø Decree no. 2008-2745 of July 28, 2008 setting conditions and procedures for healthcare waste management (HCW)
Ø Decree no. 2002-2010 of September 2002 setting up technical procedures for equipment and vehicles to be used for hazardous substances road transport (HCW and PCB)
Ø Ministry of Transport Order of January 19, 2000 establishing hazardous labeling and distinctive symbols for hazardous substance road transportation (HCW and PCB)
Ø The transport component specific to this project will be subject to the regulation governing the transport of dangerous goods in EU territory:
o The ADR, or “the European Agreement concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road”
o The ADN, or “the European Agreement concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways”
o The RID, or “the European Agreement concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail”
Ø The Basel Convention on transboundary transport of oils and wastes contaminated with PCBs for their treatment and disposal (PCB)
Ø The Tunisian Standards (TS 106-02 and TS 106-04) concerning effluent discharge resulting from ground decontamination, handling of PCB equipment and healthcare waste storage and treatment (HCW and PCB).
In addition to these regulatory provisions, management procedure manuals for healthcare waste and PCB contaminated equipment will be prepared. These manuals will define:
- Waste management approaches
- Handling at all stages of management
- Handling during soil decontamination (for PCBs)
- Safety measures to be taken
- The equipment and the means used
3.1 Institutional and Regulatory Arrangements for Project Implementation
The project will be implemented by the National Agency for Waste Management (Agence Nationale de la Gestion des Déchets) ANGed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health for healthcare waste and the Ministry of Energy for PCBs. During project implementation, the entities responsible for the oversight, regulation and monitoring are:
Regulatory requirements / Control Entity / Monitoring entityHCW
EIA and ESMP / ANPE / ANPE, ANGed
Law of no. 96-41 of July 10, 1996 / ANPE, DHMPE / ANPE, DHMPE, ANGed
Hazardous waste collection, transport and disposal permits (HCW and PCB) / MEDD, ANPE / MEDD, ANPE, ANGed
Law of no. 97-37 of July 2, 1997 / Ministry of Interior and Local Development, ANPE / Ministry of Transport, ANGed
Decree no. 2008-2745 of July 28, 2008 / ANPE, DHMPE / ANPE, DHMPE, ANGed
Decree no. 2002-2010 of September 2002 setting the technical procedures for equipment and vehicles for hazardous substances road transport / Ministry of Interior and Local Development, ANPE / Ministry of Transport, ANGed
Ministerial order (Ministry of Transport) of January 19, 2000 establishing hazardous labeling and distinctive hazardous symbols for road transportation / Ministry of Interior and Local Development, ANPE / Ministry of Transport, ANGed
Tunisian Standards (TS 106-02 and TS 106-04) / ANPE / ANPE, ANGed
PCB
EIS and ESMP / ANPE / ANPE, ANGed
Law no. 96-41 of July 10, 1996 / ANPE / ANPE, ANGed
Hazardous waste collection, transport and disposal permits (HW and PCB) / MEDD, ANPE / MEDD, ANPE, ANGed
Law no. 97-37 of July 2, 1997 / Ministry of Interior and Local Development, ANPE / Ministry of Transport, ANGed
Decree no. 2002-2010 of September 2002 stipulating technical regulation for the equipment and vehicles to transport hazardous substances by road. / Ministry of Interior and Local Development, ANPE / Ministry of Transport, ANGed
Ministerial order (Ministry of Transport) of January 19, 2000 regulating hazardous labeling and symbols for hazardous substances road transport / Ministry of Interior and Local Development, ANPE / Ministry of Transport, ANGed
Stockholm, Basel and Bamako conventions / ANPE / MEDD, ANPE, ANGed
Tunisian Standards (TS 106-02 and TS 106-04) / ANPE / ANPE, ANGed
3.2 World Bank Safeguard Policies
This ESIAF is also subject to the World Bank safeguard policies integrating natural resources management and social considerations. The 10 World Bank safeguard policies are:
· 1. Environmental Assessment OP. 4.01
· 2. Natural Habitats OP 4.04
· 3. Pest Management OP 4.09
· 4. Physical Cultural Resources OP 4.11
· 5. Involuntary Resettlement OP 4.12
· 6. Indigenous Peoples OP 4.10
· 7. Forests OP 4.36
· 8. Safety of Dams OP 4.37
· 9. Projects on International Waterways OP 7.50
· 10. Projects in Disputed Areas OP 7.60
The only policy triggered under this project is OP 4.01 on environmental assessment. According to this policy, the project has been classified as Category A, which requires the preparation of an environmental impact assessment which will be submitted to public consultation and disclosed on ANPE's and ANGed's websites, and on the World Bank’s Infoshop's website. Since the detailed technical design and location of storage areas and disposal and treatment sites were not fully identified prior to appraisal and will be completed during the Project implementation, the preparation of the Environment and Social Impact Assessment will take place in two stages :
Stage 1: An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Framework (ESIAF) was prepared prior to appraisal, and mitigation, monitoring and institutional measures were outlined in an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) .
Stage 2: The second stage will be the preparation during project implementation of site or group of sites- specific environment and social management plans for HCW storage and treatment sites ; and in case visual audit results on PCB contaminated sites show potential negative impacts, a specific environmental and social management plan of the site or group of sites, will be prepared, in accordance with the Environmental and Social Impact assessment Framework (ESIAF) and included in PCBs disposal bidding document. All EMPs will be disclosed on the ANGed website and in the InfoShop according to the Bank's Policy on Disclosure of Information.
4. HCW SUB-PROJECT
4.1 Project Description
The HCW management project objective is to resolve considerable social, environmental, and economic problems resulting from current HCW management practices by identifying the most sustainable operational methodology for technical, institutional and financial management issues. Thus, the implementation of a national waste management strategy would include the following activities:
1. STRENGTHENING OF THE REGULATORy, INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL CAPACITY FRAMEWORK: (cost: US$1,239000) 1.1 Strengthening of the institutional and regulatory Framework: (cost: US$318,000)
- Organization of HCW management from an institutional and regulatory standpoint
- Strengthening of regulations, establishment of standards and technical guidelines and ensuring the oversight at the structural, as well as public and private health facility level, including private waste treatment operators
- Allocation of responsibilities for waste management
1.2 Awareness-raising and extension for the HCW management (cost: US$250,000)
- Development of awareness-raising campaign for staff on sharp objects handling and other infectious diseases risks
- Organization of regular workshops and information and monitoring seminars with sector participants
- HCW minimization program: Technical guidelines, brochures, support groups, billboards, movies, etc).
1.3 Training: (cost: US$671,000)
- Training for all HCW management participants
- Training of care providers on sorting, packaging, storage, transport, and waste handling: Training for trainers and workshops