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Waste - is the developing world ready?
Melford Ita
Waste is a problem but can rethinking basic assumptions turn challenges into
opportunities or sources of competitive advantage? Melford Ita, reports.
The Brundtland report - initiate of sustainable development - declares that
in order for development to be sustainable, the basic needs of the world's
population must be met and the opportunity extended to all to fulfil their
aspirations for a better life. The report proposes that this could be achieved
through a number of mechanisms; effective growth for economically challenged
nations; the participation by citizens in decision-making; and the adoption by
the more affluent nations to lifestyles within the planet's
ecological means, particularly by reducing their use of energy.
Governments are retreating from their earlier broader roles in society,
allowing the private sector to fill the gap. Consequently, with myriad platforms
now available for addressing regeneration issues that were
sidelined for many years, the approach to development is changing. At the
Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the world was described as bipolar, consisting of
governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Five years later,
the perception changed to a tri-polar world consisting of governments,
business and civil society. Today the issue is how these three poles can
interact in a constructive way to find solutions to the sustainable
development challenges.
What do we mean by waste
Waste can be defined as any material lacking direct value to the producer
and so must be disposed of. The production of waste material is known as
the waste stream and includes the entire variety of refuse generated during
domestic, industrial, construction and commercial processes. Depending on
the industrial base, litter is likely to vary from country to country. In highly
developed countries, (HDCs) the major components of industrial waste
are blast furnace and steel slag, and power station ash. Food manufacture
and horticulture also contribute to high volumes of industrial waste.
Municipal refuse is the litter originating from urban areas, houses etc.
Although organic waste - ranging from garden detritus to food scraps - is
still the leading component of municipal waste, it accounts for only a
relatively small fraction of total waste production and can be personally
controlled. Nevertheless, in the absence of appropriate intervention
measures, disposal is likely to pose a crisis in many of the world's
developing countries in the not too distant future.
Personal computers in the rubbish heap
HDCs produce hundreds of millions of tonnes of new waste annually, much of
which is harmful to humans or other plants and animals. In 2001 an
estimated 134 million personal computers (PCs) were sold worldwide -
roughly, 45 million in the United States alone - and it won't be long before
these are discarded for upgrade models. Ted Smith, director of the Silicon
Valley Toxics Coalition claims that the U.S. is facing enormous disposal
problems with obsolete computers.
The numbers are growing at such a rapid rate that infrastructure is unable to
cope, Smith added. In 1999, over 24 million people replaced their PCs; nearly 90
per cent of this high-tech waste ended up in the rubbish heap. Carnegie Mellon
University estimates suggests that by 2005 approximately 150 million PCs - rough
equivalent of three acres stacked 4,000 feet high - are destined for U.S.
landfills.
Computers contain heavy metals that are toxic, can leach into soil and
contaminate ground water. Therefore, the burden of safe disposal proving
difficult and expensive, together with mounting public opposition to siting
new landfill facilities, recycling is increasingly becoming an attractive
option.
Corporations and waste
Undoubtedly, corporate branding or reputation is a central development goal
in management, and as corporations face expectations from communities,
employees and individuals calling for corporate social responsibility (CSR),
a few corporations are showing signs of a shift in their business approach
to sustainable development. Previously, both - business and sustainable
development - were viewed as risk factors, but for Daimler Chrysler, a
rethink of basic assumptions has turned challenges into opportunities or
sources of competitive advantage. Some years ago, Mercedes Benz E class
went into production in South Africa. Although local farmers had been
harvesting Sisal leaves all the while, combining Sisal fibre with old cotton
fabric to make up the vehicle's rear parcel shelf marked a bold new step in
materials technology. This merging of farming with appropriate technology
has proven successful and a significant achievement in that the vehicle's
weight and fuel consumption are appreciably reduced. Besides, local farmers
were said to be benefiting financially through this useful model of
cooperation with Daimler Chrysler.
Waste in the developing world
India
Although the current waste stream from emergent nations is nowhere near that
of the HDCs, there are signs that the developing world is attracting and gaining
investor confidence; a signal that its environment is responding to local and
global market stimuli. Consequently, over time, the developing
world can expect a significant increase in its waste stream. In India,
reuse and recycling was the trend, but systems are now stretched beyond
their carrying capacities. Almitra H. Patel claims that up to 15 years ago
the bulk of city waste was carted to farms for composting. However, the
influx of plastics, particularly thin-film carrier bags, which precludes
germination of plants and the entry of rainwater into the soil, has been a
major deterrent to the rural use of municipal waste, which now ends up in
open dumps outside cities and towns. Patel asserts that plastic is the
scourge in India's landscapes; wind-blown thin-film carrier bags are visible
everywhere. They contribute to flooding where they block drains, and kill
livestock that forage in the streets eating garbage-filled plastic bags that
remain undigested. Following globalisation, Indian cities have been
inundated with packaging that is recyclable, but is not in practice
recycled; consequently, cash-strapped municipalities are battling with large
heaps of nuisance wastes, Patel added.
South Africa
South Africa, a country slowly emerging from a period of non sustainable and
inequitable development, the likes of which has not only had significant
economic and social impacts, but has also resulted in serious environmental
degradation, its National Waste Management strategy (NWMS) and Action Plans were
finalised in 1999. In September 2001, representatives of the national,
provincial and local governments, civil society and the business community
convened at Polokwane - the Northern Province - for discussions over the
existing waste management situation in South Africa. Following this, a joint
declaration was delivered with specific aims to implement a waste management
system that contributes to sustainable development and safeguarding livelihoods,
by harnessing the energy and commitment of citizens to waste reduction. The
joint declaration also proposed the reduction of waste generation by 50 per cent
and disposal by 25 per cent respectively by 2012 as well as developing a plan
for zero waste by 2022. Further reference was made to reiterate a commitment to
the Integrated Pollution and Waste Management (IPWM) Policy, the NWMS and the
principles of waste minimisation, reuse and recycling for sustainable
development.
Nigeria
Poor management of Nigeria's environment is costing the nation roughly $5
billion annually. Executive director of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF),
Muhtari Aminu-Kano spoke over the country's environment asserting that much of
the damage resulted from oil and gas extraction in the Niger Delta region.
"We are losing more than $5 billion in Nigeria annually based on the way we
manage our environment," he said, blaming "poor agricultural
practices, oil exploration, oil spills, grazing and habitat destruction".
Grievances over environmental management have contributed to
years of instability in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Africa's
biggest oil producer. Figures from the World Bank suggest that $3 billion
of the losses arose from land degradation while deforestation accounts for
$2 billion a year, Aminu-Kano added.
Nigeria and South Africa are spearheading the New Partnership for African
Development (NEPAD); the initiatives proposed might be great for Africa if
acted upon. However, for many living in Lagos - Nigeria's former capital -
waste disposal remains a contentious issue, and with no end in sight, refuse
is thrown onto roadways, spread on pedestrian walkways or even dumped into
gutters. The problem becomes compounded during the rainy season; water, no
longer flowing freely along the gutters it remains stagnant, creating the
necessary conditions for mosquitoes and vector borne diseases like malaria. It
became so bad that a pragmatist approach was adopted requiring residents to
spend the last Saturday morning - each month - cleaning their property; and the
refuse to be placed on the streets for collection. This of course does not
always happen and the rubbish piles up. A consultant to the Lagos State
government on the environment, Mr. Oluseun Fakoya, has rightly called for
community involvement to rid Lagos of its recurrent wastes. Meanwhile, the World
Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked Lagos as the dirtiest city in the world.
Role of market demand, politics
Recycling proponents are of the opinion that market demand, political
resolve or both, could influence the development of sustainable markets and
facilities for reprocessing recyclables. The African Union uniquely placed;
it could develop a robust set of strategies as part of its response to the
environment. This co-operation between member states is likely to lead to
new perspectives on sustainable development, particularly recycling, and
will cause spin-off effects in other materials sectors, but good initiatives
must command the full support needed to achieve meaningful goals.
Competition in today's business environment requires building great business
relationships, and the sharing of accurate real time information, which will
help facilitators work better, faster and cheaper. Moreover, the cost
benefit advantages of exporting or importing raw unprocessed products -
baled paper and card, plastic film or even DSD - must be carefully worked
through. On the basis that specialist equipment - bins, banks, balers,
compactors, skips, shredders - and facilities are required, suppliers must
have surety of payment. This is a sensitive issue in that; suppliers are
risk averse entering new markets, particularly when they have no previous
representation in a country.
Scenario planning
Terry Brownhill - a UK-based consultant - has worked in the waste management
and recycling sector for 13 years. He submits scenario planning as an
interactive process where experts and facilitators have the chance to provide a
view on future outcomes based on a set of strategic drivers. It is a fitting
medium for understanding and developing a response to achieving set goals,
claims Brownhill. The process - scenario planning - should be aimed at involving
all the key stakeholders, government, local authorities, industry, residents,
producers and reprocessors to examine the key strategic drivers, which will
impact on achieving goals. The essence of the exercise therefore, is to
ascertain the rationale for intervention; why do it and who will do it, where it
can be done, when it can be done and how it can be done. These are important
preconditions for taking stock of what is
available as well as evaluating gaps in resources, reprocessing capability,
volume of material, type of material, which may either prevent or support
achieving goals. Brownhill advanced that knowing what is currently
available and a route to the desired status are requisite for the development of
a new industry or service. He added that scenario planning
could be achieved within 2-3 days; and spread out between groups evaluating the
key drivers, an additional two or three days may be required for writing the
findings.
Designer recycling
A well-designed recycling scheme can contribute directly to improving the
quality of life, expanding opportunities and safeguarding livelihoods.
Where appropriate and relevant to the design and implementation of a
particular project or programme, the active participation of parastatal,
private and non-governmental organisations should be encouraged. The wider
community and regional governments should be at the forefront of good
sustainable development practices by actively encouraging public awareness in
environmental protection measures including the promulgation and enforcement of
necessary legislation aimed at safeguarding natural
resources, and pollution control.
Waste management companies, particularly in the developing world, should be
encouraged as organisers of future-oriented resources management centres; both
in ecological and economic terms. To better serve the public a fair balance of
interest must be struck between the fee-paying industry, environmental policy,
and the public authorities responsible for waste disposal, including waste
management and recycling companies. In addition, to benefit both consumers and
business sectors obliged to implement the principle of product responsibility,
companies should open up their logistical structures for the collection of
recyclables to other material streams in future.
But it's up to the citizens
Unless citizens are fully involved and committed, no amount of capital
injected into waste management would suffice. To this end, in many parts of the
developing world art plays an important role in the lives of citizens,
and being a widely accepted medium of entertainment; drama sketches can be
employed to bolster recycling messages. Television and radio stations can be
helpful in offering free airtime while print media could run waste
management and recycling columns. Essentially, civil society can be
co-operative if an initiative is understood fully hence gaining wide
acceptance, recycling can become a popular activity amongst citizens.
Depending on local grouping, applications and resources, beneficiaries will
vary from one community to another. Members of a community who may come to rely
on recycling for a significant part of their income could also benefit through
the development of management systems with low capital for generating long-term
low risk incomes. Whilst others may benefit through resource supply chains
expressed as markets and resource availability change, conservation and resource
management focused organisations including project partners and donors could
equally benefit through networking and information sharing.
Melford Ita is an environment consultant and freelance journalist. Genuine
expressions of interest over recycling in the developing world should be
initiated via telephone: + 00 49 (0) 1628 9828 65.
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