A Brief Guide to the Management of Building Waste in Emergencies DRAFT 1

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies WHAT - a simple and practical guide for use in disaster and post-disaster situations WHO - for generalists or specialists in the field needing quick but reliable guidance WHY - access to basic information when needed, and to avoid causing unnecessary additional damage to human health WHERE - booklet and training downloadable at and

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies Management of wastes generated during a disaster can also rapidly become a major concern and add to the problems faced by affected populations A few key considerations can help improve the quality of assistance to affected populations

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies GROUP DISCUSSION : Problems encountered in the field a)Have you been in a situation where emergency services access has been hindered by building waste? How was it dealt with? b)Have you been involved in recycling building waste as an income- generating activity? What were the advantages and disadvantages?

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies NATURE OF DISASTERS AND WASTE GENERATION Priorities, types and composition of waste vary according to the type and scale of disaster: –Conflict –Disaster

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies TYPICAL COMPOSITION OF WASTE

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies RE-USE, RECYCLE AND DISPOSAL When useful materials are recovered: the volume of the waste requiring disposal is reduced and the impact of rebuilding and recovery is diminished Recycling a material is only feasible if it is economically viable The most common post-disaster operation is the recycling of concrete and bricks into a gravel or aggregates material

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies ACCESS AND TRANSPORT Waste will need to be cleared to provide access Transport can be done by a variety of methods, from livestock pulled carts to heavy duty machinery It is often better to avoid heavy machinery: family remains, personal possessions and ownership issues may need to be resolved

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies WASTE SORTING To get the best value from waste in terms of items for re- use and recycling, it is typically necessary to sort it This can be done by: –Manual sorting –A basic mechanical plant for primary sorting –Complex mechanical plants

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies IMPACTS AND HAZARDS Hinder access, reconstruction and rehabilitation activities Increase public health risks Hazardous waste risks to health and environment Detrimental to future normal waste operations Mechanised clearance Aftershocks Blocked utilities, e.g. sewers

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies RESPONSIBILITY AND LEGAL ISSUES Three main issues: –Value and ownership –Access –Safety

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies HEALTH AND SAFETY Identify materials and waste that are hazardous to human health UXOs in post-conflict situations should be dealt with by specialists Provide protective clothing and equipment where necessary

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS The first people on the scene of a disaster are the affected population Working with the community will help identify what normal practice is and develop preferred options Strategies for disseminating public information can include posters, flyers, radio announcements, TV announcements, or public meetings

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies CAPACITY-BUILDING AND EMPLOYMENT Community waste recycling and recovery projects can help restore livelihoods Using local partners will facilitate operations and strengthen local capacity to manage waste and debris in the future

Management of Building Waste in Emergencies CONCLUSIONS It may not always seem like a priority but building waste management after a disaster needs careful consideration It is a complex issue involving land rights, legal aspects, safety and livelihoods of the affected population A few key considerations can help improve the quality of assistance to the local populations