24 / 92
24
The UNEP methodology 'Sustainable Assessment of Technology'
4
(SAT) provides guidance on how to identify and select the
best possible technology options, through an informed and
participatory decision making process. The SAT Methodology
can be adapted to country-specific needs and parameters. It
integrates social, economic and environmental considerations.
Effects of altitude on solid waste and its
management
The types of waste management at high altitudes are influenced
by climatic and atmospheric conditions and soil characteristics,
particularly the scheduling of street sweeping and collection
services, the types of refuse collection vehicles used and the
application of biological treatment of organic of waste.
The slower rate of decomposition and fermentation in weather
conditions associated with high altitudes reduces the impact
of waste on public health, the environment and aesthetics in
mountain cities, particularly where there are deficiencies in
urban cleaning services. Vector-borne diseases are more limited
in number and variety, odour generation is not as immediate as
in cities with warmer climates and the generation of leachate is
relatively more controllable than in other cities at lower altitudes,
because levels of rainfall are generally lower.
These conditions allow private or public operators to collect waste
less frequently with a consequent reduction in collection costs,
because inhabitants can store waste for longer in their homes. This
also means that community containers can be used to store waste in
densely populated residential areas – depending on the frequency
of collection services (Scheinberg,Wilson and Rodic-Wiersma, 2010).
On the other hand, biological decomposition processes
differ at higher altitudes. Lower temperatures can affect the
decomposition of organic matter in composting processes
(Cooperband, 2002). Despite this, biological treatment of
organic solid waste (including composting or vermiculture) is
still an option in some mountain cities (Coffey and Coad, 2010),
providing care is taken to maintain temperatures suitable for the
microorganisms responsible for generating compost or humus
(which can then be used as a soil enricher).
HIGH INCOME
UPPER MIDDLE INCOME
LOWER MIDDLE INCOME
LOW INCOME
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
2.2
kg/capita/day
AVERAGE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION
- ACCORDING TO COUNTRY INCOME LEVEL, 2010
AVERAGE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION EFFICENCY
- ACCORDING TO COUNTRY INCOME LEVEL, 2010
HIGH INCOME
UPPER MIDDLE INCOME
LOWER MIDDLE INCOME
LOW INCOME
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
%
Source: Hoornweg D. & Bhada-Tata P. (2012)
What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management
, World Bank.
L
O
W
I
N
C
O
M
E
C
O
U
N
T
R
I
E
S
H
I
G
H
I
N
C
O
M
E
C
O
U
N
T
R
I
E
S
53%
ORGANIC WASTE
34%
28%
OTHER WASTE TYPES
19%
2%
METALS
5%
2%
TEXTILES
1%
2%
GLASS
6%
7%
PLASTIC
11%
6%
PAPER
24%
%
%
LOW INCOME
COUNTRIES
vs.
HIGH INCOME
COUNTRIES
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
COMPOSITION
Source: UNEP & ISWA (2015)
Global Waste Management Outlook
.