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 www.sheltercentre.org and www.proactnetwork.org

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

EmergenciesGROUP 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

EmergenciesNATURE 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

EmergenciesTYPICAL COMPOSITION OF WASTE

Management of Building Waste in

EmergenciesRE-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

EmergenciesACCESS 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

EmergenciesWASTE 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

EmergenciesIMPACTS 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

EmergenciesRESPONSIBILITY AND LEGAL ISSUES

Three main issues:– Value and ownership– Access– Safety

Management of Building Waste in

EmergenciesHEALTH 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

EmergenciesCOMMUNITY 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 EmergenciesCAPACITY-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

EmergenciesCONCLUSIONS

• 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

www.sheltercentre.orgwww.proactnetwork.org