WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies
Timetable
Opening &
Introduction
DW1-What is disaster waste ?
DW2-Handling disaster waste
DW3-Disaster waste case studies
DW4-Useful resources
DW1
15 mins 1 hr 15 mins
Session-at-a-Glance
1 hr 45 mins 45 mins 15 mins
Session Activities
Discuss the causes of disaster waste
Sources and Types of disaster waste
Challenges, threats and opportunities
Approx.
Time
15 mins
30 mins
30 mins
Total time 1hr 15 mins
Instructional Activity
Power point presentation, plenary discussion and brainstorm
Plenary discussion and power point presentation
Plenary discussion and power point presentation
Session Aims
 To highlight the different types of disaster waste and the key threats they pose.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will:
 Understand the types of wastes arising from natural disasters and post-conflict
 Understand the key relationships between disaster wastes and other humanitarian activities
 Be able to apply risk assessment criteria to decisions relating to handling of disaster waste
 Present the justifications for why disaster waste requires attention in an emergency
Session Materials
 Computer and projector
 Flip chart paper and pens
 Handouts:
- Examples of Disaster Waste (DW1.3)
- Impact of Waste Management on other Clusters (DW1.4)
- Threats and opportunities (DW1.5)
Key Messages
 The types, compositions and sources of various disaster wastes
1

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
 The impact which different disaster wastes have on human public health, the environment, financial implications in reconstruction and social impacts


How disaster waste impacts on humanitarian relief and community recovery
The opportunities which successful disaster waste management can lead to
Facilitator Guidance
Background reading for facilitator:
 See supporting information (DW4.3) bibliography and links
Session plan
Definition of Disaster Waste (15 mins)
PP slides 2-8
2. Introduce the concept of disaster waste.
Ask participants to brainstorm what might be included in disaster waste.
3. Run through points on slide. Highlight any points not raised during the brainstorm.
4. Explain that different types of disasters can lead to different types of waste.
Handout on Examples of disaster waste and different disasters (DW1.3)
Ask participants to identify reasons why management of waste after disasters is important. (brainstorm in plenary, discuss in pairs and write on VIPP cards, etc.)
Session Plan – DW1 2

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
5. Run through points on slide. Highlight any points not raised by the participants.
6. Highlight the importance of coordinating management of disaster waste with other stakeholders.
7. Discuss the importance of community involvement at all stages of managing disaster waste.
Practices in camps/ host communities must be appropriate and sustainable.
8. Explain the different phases of generation of disaster wastes and therefore the priorities to tackle them.
Relate to the specific or typical disasters faced by the participants.
Sources and Types of Disaster Waste (30 mins)
PP slides 9-23
9-12. Identify the typical sources of disaster waste, highlighting the types of waste in the specific / typical disasters faced by the participants.
Session Plan – DW1 3

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
Also highlight which waste materials may be hazardous
13. Define what is meant be hazardous waste.
14. Ask participants to identify examples appropriate to the context.
15&16. Use these slides if asbestos is an issue in the local context
Session Plan – DW1 4

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
17. Explain what is meant by health care waste and the differences between infections and non-infectious waste.
18. Explain the inherent problems in dealing with infectious health care waste, what are likely consequences if not handled correctly.
19. Identify examples of infections waste, use examples from local context.
20. Discuss with participants what would be non-infectious waste
21. Discuss the different types of debris / rubble, the need to understand the difference between clean and hazardous materials.
22. Ensure participants understand the problems of reclaiming mixed rubble for new works and therefore the importance of properly identifying the components of particular rubble sources.
Ask participants to identify sources of rubble
Session Plan – DW1 5

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
23. Run through points on slide. Highlight any points not raised by the participants.
Challenges, Threats and Opportunities (30mins)
PP slides 24-35
24. Explain how the proper handling and management of disaster waste involves a number of different stakeholders and sectors and cannot be tackled in isolation.
25. Divide participants into groups giving each group specific clusters to consider. Ask each group to identify the role and impact of their clusters in waste management and present back to plenary.
Handout on the impact of disaster waste on other clusters (DW1.4)
26. Ask participants to identify one local example of each challenge and which other clusters / stakeholders would be involved and their possible role in combating the challenge.
27. Explain that the main threats fall into 3 main categories
Session Plan – DW1 6

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
28-30. Explain that the main health and safety concerns fall into three main categories
31. Discuss the main environmental threats within the specific context.
32. Discuss the main livelihoods threats using the points on the slides, and using examples from local context where appropriate.
33. Ask participants to brainstorm what opportunities exist within the local context using the points on the slide.
Session Plan – DW1 7

WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies DW1
34. Discuss the opportunities for economic development within the local context
35. Highlight the importance of ensuring that any systems for waste management put in place during disaster response form the foundation for best practice in longer term and sustainable waste management.
Handout on challenges, threats and opportunities (DW1.5)
Session Plan – DW1 8