Planning for
Disaster Debris Management
Charlotte Brown
Mark Milke
Why is disaster debris management
important?
• Impact on emergency response
• Public & environmental health hazard
• Hinder social, economic and
environmental recovery
Past events
Hurricane Katrina
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Wind and flood damage
Toxic sediments
Rotting food
Illegal dumping
Asbestos
Absent residents
The goal and the priorities?
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Fast as possible
Minimise public health hazard
Minimise environmental effects
Coordinate with emergency activities
Environmental impact
• Standard waste management hierarchy?
– Source reduction
– Recycling
– Waste combustion and landfilling
• Hazardous materials
Economics
• Direct costs
– Waste collection & disposal
• Indirect costs
– Adverse environmental impacts
– Business disruption
Social impact
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Public health hazard
Restore order and sense of normalcy
Rebuilding
Also allow personal grieving
Organisational structures
•Coordination
Legal framework
•Waivers and liability
Funding
•Lowest cost?
Debris Management Plans
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New – last 15 years internationally
How-to guides
Country specific
Little guidance on decision-making
Way forward for NZ
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Prepare plans
Establish contracts and MOU’s
Determine roles and responsibilities
Establish funding mechanisms
Assess environmental impacts
Waste management strategies
www.disasterwaste.org
Thank you