WASH Cluster – Disaster Waste in Emergencies
DW1.5
Handout
DW1 – Threats and Opportunities
1.
Threats
1.1 Health and safety
Chemical Risks:

Direct dermal contact with contaminants (oils, acids)

Inhalation of:
o Products of incomplete combustion (dioxins/furans, volatilised heavy
metals)
o Dust (PM10)
o CO2 asphyxiation in confined spaces (LFG)
o Asbestos fibres

Ingestion of surface/groundwater impacted by leachate (high organics,
ammonium, heavy metals, trace organics – PCBs, VOCs)

Explosion of CH4 from LFG

Nuisance from odours (chemicals or decomposition)
Biological Risks:

Dermal contact/ingestion of faecal material/body fluids (parasitic, enteric and
viral)

Disease vectors:
o Rat excreta – hanta virus, leptospirosis, plague, scrub typhus
o Mosquitoes – malaria, dengue fever
o Flies – bacterial infections

Nuisance – insects, birds, rodents
Physical Risks:

Collapse of stockpiles

Cuts and abrasions from sharp objects

Uncontrolled fires (spontaneous combustion)

Vehicle accidents

Nuisance – plumes, wind or wave-blown litter
1.2 Environmental
Local Environment Risks:

Waste – directly contaminates soils (chemicals and micro-organisms)

Leachate – contaminates surface, ground and marine waters, results in stress
and/or algal blooms (eutrophication)

Landfill gas – dieback of vegetation
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WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies

Biodiversity - rodent, insect infestation

Aesthetics – wind and wave blown litter
DW1.5
1.3 Reconstruction and Livelihoods
2.

Impedes vehicle, marine and pedestrian access

Blocks drains/gullies/wells

Dumping of waste in low-lying agricultural areas (rice paddies) and fish-farming
ponds

Serves as a constant reminder of the disaster

Acts as magnet for ongoing fly-tipping

Precludes livelihood recovery

Harbour and channel blockages prevent resumption of fishing activities and
restricts river and marine transport
Opportunities
2.1 Recycling of Demolition Waste
Disaster waste can comprise valuable resource material.
Example: Waste from the Tsunami affecting Aceh in Indonesia included:
 coral blocks
 concrete
 mortar
 steel re-inforcing bar/sheets
 electrical cable and equipment
Scrap values
Material
Value ($ USD/tonne)(1)
Scrap Steel
180
Acid/Lead Batteries
220
Copper
Aluminium: mixed
2332 - 2992
638 – 1980
(Al cans = 902)
Mixed Paper
9.50
Office Paper
58.50
Mixed glass
4.50
Waste engine oil
Recycled aggregate
Cost neutral
17
(1) Recycler's World USA 12 May 2005 (spot-rates)
Handout – DW1: Threats and opportunities
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WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies
DW1.5

Rubble can be recycled for aggregate (concrete –mass and block manufacture,
mortar or foundation sub-base), in-fill (behind retaining walls, depressions) or
coastal/river protection

In addition, reconstruction will force up costs of aggregate and/or be
constrained by quarry production capacity, recycling can ease these problems
2.2 Disaster Preparedness

Temporary demolition stockpiles could be used as “Memorial Mounds” (flood
refuge platforms) or for coastal bunds/embankments
2.3 Composting

Disaster waste typically comprises soils, sediment and vegetation which could
be used for agricultural purposes

Disasters can often lead to topsoil being removed (i.e. landslides, tsunamis
etc.)

Development of sustainable soil policy
2.4 Improved Waste Management (WM) Systems and Governance

Generally pre-disaster waste management systems do not represent best
practice

Systems can vary across regions depending on access to disposal facilities, land
availability, local custom and government / municipal intervention

Hazardous wastes are either stored (used oil), ignored or disposed off
inappropriately (mixed with domestic waste)

Disaster waste management-related projects represent an opportunity to
develop long-term sustainable WM systems for the affected communities.
Systems can include:
o waste planning
o recycling initiatives
o future waste-stream forecasting
o waste collection
o local community involvement
o education programmes
o advice on technical solutions
o revenue sources
o regulations and enforcement
2.5 Economic Development

Disaster waste clean-up and recycling represents a potential source of income
for IDP’s and unemployed from the host community

Direct “cash for work” projects
Handout – DW1: Threats and opportunities
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WASH Cluster – Water in Emergencies
DW1.5

Ancillary opportunities, such as supply of equipment, PPE and transport

Sale of recycled products

Trained disaster waste clean-up and disposal workers will become an important
resource for the implementation of long-term sustainable WM systems

Promotion of revenue-generation schemes linked to long-term sustainable WM
systems include:
1. Collection and disposal charges
2. Fiscal policy – import duty on aggregates/plastic bottles, landfill tax
3. Promotion – composting, glass bottle return schemes, waste exchange
programmes, financial opportunities for private sector
Handout – DW1: Threats and opportunities
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