Proposal

Creating Public Awareness of Non-Biodegradable Waste

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Background The improper disposal and treatment of solid waste is one of the gravest environmental problems faced by Guyana. The problem is most acute in Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and other highly populated areas and is beginning to be a major concern in the hinterland areas. The generation of waste for disposal has been steadily increasing and is likely to continue to increase. Also over the years the composition of waste has changed and now non-biodegradables account for a greater proportion of waste. Plastic makes up just over 10% of total waste disposed of in Guyana. Glass bottles, which are often re-used 10-15 times before being recycled, have fallen out of favor with the introduction of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. PET is a plastic that is used to make beverage, food and other liquid containers. It is very lightweight, impact resistant and is fully recyclable. However, the empty PET packaging that is discarded by the consumer after use becomes PET waste, which constitutes an increasing component of improperly disposed of waste. This is of particular concern as non-biodegradable waste can remain in tact for many decades, hence it accumulates, and currently there is little evidence of recycling or re-use of PET in Guyana. In Guyana the social costs of improper Solid Waste Management (SWM) are significant. Among these are: • The public health costs associated with improper disposal of solid waste

can be traced to the proliferation of disease carrying flies, as well as airborne and waterborne diseases through leaching from open dumpsites. Additionally the burning of waste in open fires can have significant bronchial effects. Residents in the vicinity of improperly dumped waste are all susceptible to these problems.

• There are also infrastructural costs arising out of more intense and frequent cleaning of drainage and irrigation canals as a direct result of improper solid waste management. GUYSUCO has publicly indicated that this is a significant issue that effects its production.

• The value of property may drop significantly in areas contiguous to improper dumpsites.

• The negative impression created by poorly disposed waste takes away from Guyana’s aesthetic beauty and can indirectly damage the tourism industry.

Justification for mounting this awareness campaign: A recent study “assessment of the impact of the environmental education and

awareness and capacity building programme in Guyana – a case study in Parika, Region 3” concluded that there is a high level of awareness about basic environmental issues and a high level of care and concern about the environment but that there was a very low level of participation in action orientated activities.

There are at least two waste handling companies that have attempted to market used PET in Guyana. As mentioned before, PET is fully recyclable but if the waste handlers have to sort, collect, clean, shred, transport and sell the plastic, without collaboration, the activity proves not to be profitable or feasible. The waste handlers would presumably welcome initiatives that focus on how PET can be reused or recycled.

Another solution to the problem may be the use of more durable plastic that can be re-filled.

Feedback from the drinks producers and importers demonstrate a willingness to contribute to a solution for the now overburdening plastic problem in Guyana, of which aerated drinks bottles constitute a major part.

The proposed public information campaign will complement other initiatives such as the Georgetown Solid Waste campaign by the Municipal SWMD and IDB.

Development objective: • Environmental sustainability – the campaign aims to contribute to the

reduction of the abovementioned social costs. • Reduce poverty through the promotion of sustainable income initiatives.

New products and processes which reuse or recycle PET will be identified, creating an opportunity for waste collectors and handlers to generate income.

Overall Objective To create a partnership between government, business and communities, among others, to identify and promote environmentally sustainable solutions for the reuse, recycling or proper disposal of non-biodegradable waste.

Specific Objectives: 1. Raise awareness on non-biodegradable waste and to encourage the

reuse and recycling of PET plastic; 2. Stimulate sustainable income generation initiatives; and 3. Demonstrate how money can be saved by not throwing plastic away!

Strategy of the awareness activity: • Promote involvement in environmentally sustainable practices through

action orientated activities.

• To encourage the building of alliances and partnerships between government, business, schools and community based organisations to promote environmentally sustainable practices.

• Awareness through information and public messages. • Training and exposure to products/methodologies. • Stimulate/encourage development of local products.

Target groups: • Schools, both primary and secondary including WES clubs/ECO Clubs. • University and tertiary professionals and students. • Community based organisations including environmental clubs.

Activities: a. Presentation & Planning of Competition:

1. Invited representatives of the producers and importers of plastic bottles, solid waste handlers, MoLGRD including the M&CC, Ministry of Education, EPA, Ministry of Health, micro enterprise institutions, NGOs discuss the proposal and commit to support and organise a public information campaign in the form of contribution of prizes, design and adjudication of competition.

2. Presentation on Legislation for Deposit Refund System for plastic bottles, as proposed by Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and Saint Lucia.

3. PAHO presentation on a refund system for plastic bottles in Guyana. 4. IPED will be invited to give a presentation on access to finance and

technical guidance for micro-initiatives. 5. Exposure to products and methodologies - Re-Use of PET bottles. i.e

Barbados Company that recycles PET for roofing systems and / or Community experiences in the production of brooms and others merchandise (e.g. Brazil).

6. Define criteria among the organizers, such as: • marketability, • quality of product, • creativity, • amount of bottles used in the product / process (the more the

better!). • intact bottles or halved bottles could be in a separate competition

category to chipped or melted plastic products Define categories for the various prizes, including:

• Primary School, • Secondary School, • Tertiary Education, • Community based organisations.

7. Define prizes to be awarded for best use of used PET at a publicised event

• Guaranteed business loan / grant for best idea to come from general public (organized with micro-enterprise institution). • Trip to CEPIS (Pan American Centre for Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Science), Peru, to attend course / event for best idea to come from the tertiary education category. • Prize of equipment, for environmental activities, for best practical idea from primary and secondary schools.

b) Advertising and Promotion: • Advertise competition through the national media, schools and

environmental club network. • Organise collection of all practical examples from participants.

c) Competition and Prize winners event: • Organisers adjudicate competition awarding top placed practical examples

from the different categories. • Organise a Prize Winners Event to be covered by the national media.

d) Final Report and Evaluation: • Document the various practical examples from various categories. • Evaluate the project inviting feedback from various stakeholders at the

Prize winners’ event and through subsequent communication with participants.

• Prepare and present final report.

Project Duration:

Impacts: • Greater Public Awareness of Social Costs of improperly disposed garbage,

particularly of the non-bio-degradable type. • Partnership created through the project between Government, community

based organisations, schools, business and other stakeholders should lead to other goals being pursued on the same issue in the future.

• Emergence of practical ideas and solutions for sustainable income activities that promote environmental sustainability and public health.

• Reduction in the amount of improperly disposed of PET plastic waste and as a result reduction in the associated social costs.

Dec 1st

Dec 31st

Nov 25th

Oct 29th

Oct 9th

(b) Advertising & Promotion

(a) Presentation & Planning of Competition Workshop

Competition Deadline

(c) Prize Winners’ Event

(d) Final Report

Oct 4th

Indicators: • At least one micro-initiative started up and registered with IPED. • Number of queries for more information. • Number of schools, tertiary education institutions and community based

organisations that participate in the various competitions. • Number of innovations from the various categories. • Participation of private businesses in the organisation and planning of

competition. • At least one follow-up meeting within three months of the project’s

conclusion.

Reporting and Evaluation: To be agreed on.

Budget: Total Cost

Component Description Qty Unit Cost G$ US$

Public Campaign

To be defined in the workshop 5,198

Workshop Travel cost to bring experiences 2 320,000 640,000 3,200

Awards Top Prize (Category A, B & C) 3 150,000 450,000 2,250

Trip to CEPIS (incl. expenses) 1 520,000 520,000 2,600Event: rental, snacks etc. 1 80,000 400Awards

Event

Transport exps. Participants from regions 6 40,000 240,000 1,200

Support Services

Transport, Telephone, Photocopies, etc. 80,000 400

3,039,600 15,198