In vessel composting, aerobic and anaerobic, has been a promising waste management technology for sometime. Landfill closed cell composting is one variant, tried here locally in Yolo County. Stand-alone vessels have seen varied success--mixing, batching and processing seem to prevalent obstacles. Here's a news release of a promising commercial scale launch in Australia:
"AnaeCo (ASX:ANQ) is pleased to announce the official opening of Stage 1 of the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC) project, which took place on Friday 28 November, 2008.
"The opening was conducted by Mr Bill Marmion, MLA for Nedlands, and was attended by WMRC, AnaeCo, Palisade Regional Infrastructure Fund, and interested parties from the waste management sector throughout Australia. WMRC Stage 1 comprises a single DiCOM bioconversion vessel and a material recovery (sorting) facility. AnaeCo is currently commissioning the facility, preparing it for performance trials, prior to proceeding to Stage 2 which will involve an expansion of the material recovery facility and the construction of two
additional bioconversion vessels.
"Tom Rudas, Managing Director of AnaeCo said “After years of development we are very proud and excited to have reached this milestone which as far as we are aware is a world first. The patented DiCOM System is a unique hybrid aerobic / anaerobic process which combines these two biological phases inside a single closed vessel. WMRC Stage 1 is the full scale application of the technology which has been tried and tested at pilot scale and as such represents
a breakthrough in urban waste management.”
Here's wishing them success.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Uganda town begins the most rudimentary solid waste management as health concerns rise
The clerk of Apac, Uganda's Town Council, Denis Egwel, is urging the residents to maintain cleanliness to avoid disease outbreaks. Egwel said recently that a tractor was acquired to collect waste and dump it at designated sites.He added that most households were indiscriminately throwing rubbish into the streets, causing a blockage to traffic flow. The garbage collection plastic containers were stationed in many parts of the town. He said owners of bushy plots will be punished for putting other people's lives in danger becuase they harbour mosquitos which carry malaria, a leading killer in Africa. Diseases such as cholera and dysentry result from unhygienic conditions.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
California public has right to administative review of landfill permits
California solid waste law provides a hearing to "any person" charging that county landfill permits don't follow the law. SPRAWLDEF, a small environmental group wanted that hearing. Solano County refused. They brought suit to get the hearing in state superior court. Lost. Appealed. The First District Court of Appeal reversed, ordering the lower court to issue a writ of mandamus, ordering Solano County to provide the hearing. The published decision makes clear to all California counties that the public has a right to administrative review of solid waste facility permits. The case is Sustainability of Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund v. County of Solano Dept. of Resource Management 2008 WL 4725415 (Cal.App. 1 Dist., 2008).
Friday, October 24, 2008
EU follows California waste management (after 20 years)
European Union ministers on October 20 confirmed the adoption of legislation that will see EU member states obliged to recycle at least half of their household and general waste by 2020, according to International Environmental Daily. California of course adopted AB 939 in 1989 to cut in half California's waste by 2000--something largely accomplished. Perhaps the Europeans wanted to wait 20 years to see if it would work... The less-than-pioneering EU legislation also adopts a hierarchy of waste management favoring reuse, etc. etc... Done that too.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Tweeks to solid waste facility permitting passed
The governor has signed into law AB 2679 (Ruskin) fine tuning California's regulation of solid waste facility enforcement and permitting, the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989. The act provides that local enforcement agencies perform specified functions with regard to the regulation of solid waste management, including the issuance and enforcement of solid waste facilities permits. The enforcement agency can issue an administrative order requiring the owner or operator of a solid waste facility to take corrective action and to issue a cease and desist order.
This bill changes the enforcement and penalty provisions of the act to include violations of the act regarding disposal sites. It revises the procedures for the imposition of civil penalties to authorize the board or an enforcement agency to issue an order imposing a civil penalty upon a person that violates the act, a regulation adopted pursuant to the act, or an order issued under the enforcement provisions of the act applicable to a solid waste facility or a disposal site, or the terms or conditions of a solid waste facilities permit. The bill requires the board or an enforcement agency before issuing an order, except as specified, to follow specified procedures regarding notification and meeting with the owner or operator to bring the facility or site into compliance.
Under existing law, a request for a hearing stays the effect of the order pending completion of all appeals, but a request for a hearing does not stay a provision of the order, or the order as a whole, when there is an imminent and substantial threat to public health and safety or the environment, as specified. This bill would instead allow the owner or operator of a permitted solid waste facility subject to an order, in the case of extraordinary circumstances, to petition the executive director of the board to stay the order, pending the completion of specified administrative appeals pursuant to a specified procedure and would authorize a person who is not the owner or operator of such a facility to petition the board, as specified.
This bill changes the enforcement and penalty provisions of the act to include violations of the act regarding disposal sites. It revises the procedures for the imposition of civil penalties to authorize the board or an enforcement agency to issue an order imposing a civil penalty upon a person that violates the act, a regulation adopted pursuant to the act, or an order issued under the enforcement provisions of the act applicable to a solid waste facility or a disposal site, or the terms or conditions of a solid waste facilities permit. The bill requires the board or an enforcement agency before issuing an order, except as specified, to follow specified procedures regarding notification and meeting with the owner or operator to bring the facility or site into compliance.
Under existing law, a request for a hearing stays the effect of the order pending completion of all appeals, but a request for a hearing does not stay a provision of the order, or the order as a whole, when there is an imminent and substantial threat to public health and safety or the environment, as specified. This bill would instead allow the owner or operator of a permitted solid waste facility subject to an order, in the case of extraordinary circumstances, to petition the executive director of the board to stay the order, pending the completion of specified administrative appeals pursuant to a specified procedure and would authorize a person who is not the owner or operator of such a facility to petition the board, as specified.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Nigeria wants integrated waste management partnerships
Nigeria's Osun state Commissioner of Environment Alhaji Ademola Adio Kazeem noted his state's commitment to develop improved sanitisation, with waste management handled properly so that it can boost the state's revenue.
The Commissioner emphasised that "waste to wealth" would be carried out, and a permanent solution would be sought. He disclosed that the Osun Government will partner with the Federal Government on integrated waste management, thereby establishing private/public sector partnership for waste management in the state.
The Commissioner emphasised that "waste to wealth" would be carried out, and a permanent solution would be sought. He disclosed that the Osun Government will partner with the Federal Government on integrated waste management, thereby establishing private/public sector partnership for waste management in the state.
Tanzania president boosts economy with waste management and carbon credits
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete has urged regional and district authorities to spearhead conservation of the environment in order to check carbon dioxide emission and earn more carbon credits.
Addressing Iringa District leaders on August 7, 2008, President Kikwete said Tanzanians would boost their incomes significantly through such credits. Under the system, credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced their greenhouse gases below their emission quota. Carbon credits can be traded in the international market at their current market prices. The system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol. Its goal is to stop the increase of carbon dioxide emissions.
President Kikwete said such conservation served two purposes--reduce global warming and serve as an income-generation project. He said some other countries had vigorously ventured into environment conservation through solid waste management programmes and were benefiting economically. Through solid waste management , authorities could also recycle waste and get other materials/products and even generate electricity.
President Kikwete pointed out that Iringa as one of the regions had made great strides in environment conservation, urging them to take advantage of the carbon credit system. The president advised local authorities to contact the Director of Environment (Vice-President's Office) for more details on how to utilize the Carbon Credit System to their advantage. He told the meeting that Tanzania and other countries are engaged in negotiations with international environment bodies to also benefit from forest conservation. Mr Kikwete explained that under the carbon credit system, major beneficiaries are countries that have stepped up tree planting. He noted that Tanzania has already planted millions of trees and is efficiently conserving her forests.
Addressing Iringa District leaders on August 7, 2008, President Kikwete said Tanzanians would boost their incomes significantly through such credits. Under the system, credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced their greenhouse gases below their emission quota. Carbon credits can be traded in the international market at their current market prices. The system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol. Its goal is to stop the increase of carbon dioxide emissions.
President Kikwete said such conservation served two purposes--reduce global warming and serve as an income-generation project. He said some other countries had vigorously ventured into environment conservation through solid waste management programmes and were benefiting economically. Through solid waste management , authorities could also recycle waste and get other materials/products and even generate electricity.
President Kikwete pointed out that Iringa as one of the regions had made great strides in environment conservation, urging them to take advantage of the carbon credit system. The president advised local authorities to contact the Director of Environment (Vice-President's Office) for more details on how to utilize the Carbon Credit System to their advantage. He told the meeting that Tanzania and other countries are engaged in negotiations with international environment bodies to also benefit from forest conservation. Mr Kikwete explained that under the carbon credit system, major beneficiaries are countries that have stepped up tree planting. He noted that Tanzania has already planted millions of trees and is efficiently conserving her forests.
Climate and waste tied in Lagos megaprocurement
Aug 28, 2008 (Leadership/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX News Network) -- The Lagos State government in partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative waste management in Lagos state, have concluded plans to shop for over N4 billion from investors to carry out its waste management at the down stream level.
Speaking at press conference in Lagos , the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan, said the state had come up with a standard plan to manage waste in the state which was fast acquiring the status of a mega city.
The commissioner who was flanked by the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ola Oresanya , the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Mr. Sesan Olarenwaju said the state government after several deliberations came out with Request For Proposal (RFP), to encourage competent investors to participate in the project which he said had been secured by institutionalised legal framework.
Oyekan explained that the initiative was in furtherance of the state government's, Public Private Participation initiative (PPP), adding that the project would be implemented by a consortium of local and foreign investors as well as financial institutions.
The Lagos State government and CCI, jointly selected waste management as its priority area for technical assistance after the initiative sent environmental experts to Lagos to assess the state of its residual waste collection and disposal infrastructure in March 2008. The LAWMA boss said that the Clinton Climate Initiative role, would be limited to technical assistance, to complement the state government's waste to wealth project at Ikorodu axis of Lagos State to covert waste to compost manure for agricultural use.
Speaking at press conference in Lagos , the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan, said the state had come up with a standard plan to manage waste in the state which was fast acquiring the status of a mega city.
The commissioner who was flanked by the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ola Oresanya , the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Mr. Sesan Olarenwaju said the state government after several deliberations came out with Request For Proposal (RFP), to encourage competent investors to participate in the project which he said had been secured by institutionalised legal framework.
Oyekan explained that the initiative was in furtherance of the state government's, Public Private Participation initiative (PPP), adding that the project would be implemented by a consortium of local and foreign investors as well as financial institutions.
The Lagos State government and CCI, jointly selected waste management as its priority area for technical assistance after the initiative sent environmental experts to Lagos to assess the state of its residual waste collection and disposal infrastructure in March 2008. The LAWMA boss said that the Clinton Climate Initiative role, would be limited to technical assistance, to complement the state government's waste to wealth project at Ikorodu axis of Lagos State to covert waste to compost manure for agricultural use.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
African climate change has room to improve
ACCRA, Aug 24, 2008 (AFP) - The UN-sponsored climate change talks between rich and poor countries offer few benefits to Africa, which bears the brunt of climate change in the world, officials and African delegates said Sunday.
"Many African negotiators have expressed concern that the current regime delivers few real benefits to the continent," Yvo de Boer, head of the ongoing UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) conference in Accra, told reporters. De Boer spoke at the sidelines of the week-long negotiations on reducing carbon emissions by industrialised countries by up to 40 percent by 2020.
"The total value of projects in Africa financed by the Global Environment Facility in the last 17 years stands at 378 million dollars, while the total value of projects worldwide is more than 2.4 billion dollars, which reflects lack of benefits for the continent," he added. The projects are being implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a private sector-based fund reserved by developed countries to assist developing nations in mitigating the consequences of climate change.
"The way African countries feel is that we need a fairer, more equitable deal that is sensitive to the looming consequences of climate change on Africa," said Victor Fodeke, head of the Nigerian delegation to the conference. "Only about two percent of the entire CDM projects worldwide are in Africa which is unacceptably low in contrast to 45 percent located in China, 16 percent in India and 13 percent in Chile," said Ewah Otu Eleri, head of Nigeria-based International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development. He called for a more flexible mechanism for African countries to access the funds, arguing the current rules were too stringent.
"Many African negotiators have expressed concern that the current regime delivers few real benefits to the continent," Yvo de Boer, head of the ongoing UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) conference in Accra, told reporters. De Boer spoke at the sidelines of the week-long negotiations on reducing carbon emissions by industrialised countries by up to 40 percent by 2020.
"The total value of projects in Africa financed by the Global Environment Facility in the last 17 years stands at 378 million dollars, while the total value of projects worldwide is more than 2.4 billion dollars, which reflects lack of benefits for the continent," he added. The projects are being implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a private sector-based fund reserved by developed countries to assist developing nations in mitigating the consequences of climate change.
"The way African countries feel is that we need a fairer, more equitable deal that is sensitive to the looming consequences of climate change on Africa," said Victor Fodeke, head of the Nigerian delegation to the conference. "Only about two percent of the entire CDM projects worldwide are in Africa which is unacceptably low in contrast to 45 percent located in China, 16 percent in India and 13 percent in Chile," said Ewah Otu Eleri, head of Nigeria-based International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development. He called for a more flexible mechanism for African countries to access the funds, arguing the current rules were too stringent.
California firm posts Uganda WTE project
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 27, 2008--Carbon Jungle, Inc. (Pink Sheets:CBJG) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary waste-to-fuel company, Cobal-USA Alternative Fuels, LLC, received a Pre-Agreement from Dag & Bragan Ltd. for processing 1000 Tons per day of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) accompanied with a letter of interest from the Mayor of Kampala City in Uganda, Africa.
In order to process this waste, Cobal USA will form a joint venture with W2 Energy, Inc. (www.w2energy.com) to build and operate this waste-to-energy plant. W2 Energy will build a plasma reactor and gas-to-liquid conversion system which will convert the 1000 tons per day of MSW into 52,000 gallons daily of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and 50 MWh continuous of clean electricity. The project estimated sales may exceed $82 million per year.
In order to process this waste, Cobal USA will form a joint venture with W2 Energy, Inc. (www.w2energy.com) to build and operate this waste-to-energy plant. W2 Energy will build a plasma reactor and gas-to-liquid conversion system which will convert the 1000 tons per day of MSW into 52,000 gallons daily of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and 50 MWh continuous of clean electricity. The project estimated sales may exceed $82 million per year.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Waste management key to health in Africa
About thirty per cent of human ill health that leads to death is as a result of poor quality of environmental management, according to the Nigerian Minister of Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Halima Tayo Alao.
Mrs. Alao recently addressed the ninth Conference of Parties of the Basel Convention in Bali, Indonesia, pointing out that women and children in most parts of the world are in many cases, most negatively affected by the poor waste management practices and hazardous wastes.
The Minister noted that it is these vulnerable groups who come into contact with chemicals, especially agrochemicals and used containers which are used as domestic water containers. Mrs Alao who spoke on the topic, "Improving Maternal Health Through Sound Management of Hazardous Waste," noted that "35 percent of human ill health is caused by poor quality environment," adding that, "improper management of hazardous wastes is one of the problems confronting environmental watchdogs all over the world."
She said the African continent has become the destination of growing volumes of unserviceable electronic equipment and other materials. She added that Nigeria alone, accounts for about five million used computers annually which ultimately constitute a blight to the environment. "These e-waste materials ultimately are burnt off us increasing green house gases (GHGs) which cause global warming and persistent organic poll (POPs).
Mrs. Alao recently addressed the ninth Conference of Parties of the Basel Convention in Bali, Indonesia, pointing out that women and children in most parts of the world are in many cases, most negatively affected by the poor waste management practices and hazardous wastes.
The Minister noted that it is these vulnerable groups who come into contact with chemicals, especially agrochemicals and used containers which are used as domestic water containers. Mrs Alao who spoke on the topic, "Improving Maternal Health Through Sound Management of Hazardous Waste," noted that "35 percent of human ill health is caused by poor quality environment," adding that, "improper management of hazardous wastes is one of the problems confronting environmental watchdogs all over the world."
She said the African continent has become the destination of growing volumes of unserviceable electronic equipment and other materials. She added that Nigeria alone, accounts for about five million used computers annually which ultimately constitute a blight to the environment. "These e-waste materials ultimately are burnt off us increasing green house gases (GHGs) which cause global warming and persistent organic poll (POPs).
"Bundling" small waste recovery for carbon credits
Proponents of small Philippine-based projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are advised to "bundle" their projects to satisfy the requirements of companies or banks who buy carbon credits in bulk. German bank KfW Bankengruppe, for instance, which acts as intermediary for European firms wishing to buy carbon credits to meet their emission reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, requires a minimum of 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year to keep its costs down.
At a forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines yesterday, KfW announced the availability of a 225-million euro carbon fund co-financed by the European Investment Bank, the Belgian government, and other partners with which to buy carbon credits. Katja Eicher, senior project manager of the KfW Carbon Fund, said putting a floor on the number of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent was necessary for "keeping (the bank's transaction cost at a reasonable level" and suggested the bundling of projects in the Philippines.
Greenhouse gas emission reductions are measured per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, carbon dioxide being the reference gas against which other greenhouse gases are measured. A carbon emission reduction (CER) certificate is issued for every ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.The Environment department has received a total of 80 applications for eligibility under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. It has approved 56 projects.Only 19, however, are registered with the CDM Executive Board in Bonn, Germany, which issues the CERs used as currency in carbon trading.
Of the 80 projects, 15 are regular-scale while 65 are small-scale. Regular-scale projects can generate a low of 53,000 to a high of 582,000 CERs a year and include renewable energy projects, a wastewater project and a landfill gas recovery and power generation project. Small-scale projects, on the other hand, can generate a low of 241 CERs and a high of 79,000 CERs a year. These include methane recovery and power generation from swine and poultry waste, methane avoidance from composting, power generation from biomass, mini-hydropower projects, and tricycle retrofitting.
Bundling of small-scale projects has been permitted under the Kyoto Protocol since mid-2007 to allow project proponents to participate in carbon trading.CDM projects of a similar type comprise a "program of activities." The program becomes the project that can claim CERs. Its implementing agent, be it a private firm, a nongovernment organization or an industry association, receives the revenues, which shall be partitioned among the program participants.
While ideal, the Environment department expressed its reservations. Manuel D. Gerochi, Environment undersecretary, said program participants might realize very low revenues as a result. However, Philippine Bio-Sciencies Co. Inc., which develops and implements biogas projects, has no qualms about the idea. Ellen Zanoria, CDM manager, said PhilBio was able to bundle several projects that capture methane capture from piggeries and poultry farms into one project.She said a project bundle usually consists of five to 10 similar ventures. The company is looking at facilitating three bundles in September.
At a forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines yesterday, KfW announced the availability of a 225-million euro carbon fund co-financed by the European Investment Bank, the Belgian government, and other partners with which to buy carbon credits. Katja Eicher, senior project manager of the KfW Carbon Fund, said putting a floor on the number of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent was necessary for "keeping (the bank's transaction cost at a reasonable level" and suggested the bundling of projects in the Philippines.
Greenhouse gas emission reductions are measured per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, carbon dioxide being the reference gas against which other greenhouse gases are measured. A carbon emission reduction (CER) certificate is issued for every ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.The Environment department has received a total of 80 applications for eligibility under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. It has approved 56 projects.Only 19, however, are registered with the CDM Executive Board in Bonn, Germany, which issues the CERs used as currency in carbon trading.
Of the 80 projects, 15 are regular-scale while 65 are small-scale. Regular-scale projects can generate a low of 53,000 to a high of 582,000 CERs a year and include renewable energy projects, a wastewater project and a landfill gas recovery and power generation project. Small-scale projects, on the other hand, can generate a low of 241 CERs and a high of 79,000 CERs a year. These include methane recovery and power generation from swine and poultry waste, methane avoidance from composting, power generation from biomass, mini-hydropower projects, and tricycle retrofitting.
Bundling of small-scale projects has been permitted under the Kyoto Protocol since mid-2007 to allow project proponents to participate in carbon trading.CDM projects of a similar type comprise a "program of activities." The program becomes the project that can claim CERs. Its implementing agent, be it a private firm, a nongovernment organization or an industry association, receives the revenues, which shall be partitioned among the program participants.
While ideal, the Environment department expressed its reservations. Manuel D. Gerochi, Environment undersecretary, said program participants might realize very low revenues as a result. However, Philippine Bio-Sciencies Co. Inc., which develops and implements biogas projects, has no qualms about the idea. Ellen Zanoria, CDM manager, said PhilBio was able to bundle several projects that capture methane capture from piggeries and poultry farms into one project.She said a project bundle usually consists of five to 10 similar ventures. The company is looking at facilitating three bundles in September.
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