Policy and Regulations on Solid Waste Management - Pakistan

Transcription

1 Policy and Regulations on Solid Waste Management - Pakistan 2.1 LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT The Government of Pakistan enacted the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) in 1997 which is the most recent and updated legislation on environment. It provides a framework for establishing federal and provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs), and suggestions for protection and conservation of species, habitat and biodiversity, and conservation of renewable resources. The MoELGRD is implementing the NEAP for improving the environmental conditions and natural resources protection. The organizational structure of the MoELGRD is being adjusted to improve its capacities to facilitate the implementation of both PEPA and NEAP. The Ministry will continue to take initiatives in collaboration with the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) and provincial EPAs to adjust the PEPA and NEAP to match up with the changing realities on the ground. Within the Ministry, there is also a NCS Unit that is responsible for promoting and monitoring progress of NCS implementation. As a follow-up to these initiatives, it is likely that decrees will continue to be prepared and issued in the near future to further improve the state of environment and regulate the natural resources utilisation and pricing. The MoELGRD under its new structure will have to strengthen necessary capacities to steer the process of policy and legislation formulation, fund management and implementation of the existing laws and NEQS in collaboration with the local administration and judiciary. The main issues are: Inadequate primary legislation for national decisions. Possible need for new ordinances for Government of Pakistan's decisions. Lack of monitoring and control. Depends on new laws/ordinances and the ability of municipalities to enforce them. Strengthening health and safety legislation to protect all sectors of society.

2 Presently, these legal rules and regulations are dealing with solid waste management in Pakistan are as follows: Section 11 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act prohibits discharge of waste in an amount or concentration that violates the NEQS. Unfortunately, presently we do not have any set of NEQS specific to the solid waste. Hazardous Substances Rules of "Islamabad Capital Territory Bye Laws, 1968" by Capital Development Authority Islamabad "Section 132 of the Cantonment Act 1924 deals with Deposits and disposal of rubbish etc deals with solid waste management by Jhelum Cantonment Board However the present legal rules and regulations are inadequate and are outdated. 2.2 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL OPTIONS GUIDELINES The guidelines on solid waste disposal and landfill establishments identify and explain issues that should be addressed for a proposal for solid waste disposal and establishment of landfill facility for municipal and hazardous waste. It is important to focus on key issues for specific proposals. The matter identified in these guidelines provides guidance, for setting up of solid waste disposal and landfill facility in Pakistan. It is recognized that there are five stages in the process of developing solid waste and landfill facility and following factors should be considered at each of these stages: i. The need to have a solid waste disposal and landfill facility ii. Selection of an appropriate site for solid waste disposal and landfill facility iii. Installation, commissioning and operation of solid waste disposal and landfill facility iv. Monitoring and reporting of solid waste disposal and landfill facility v. Closure of landfill facility Landfills are disposal sites that can be established successfully if they are well sited, well designed and operated properly. They have the potential to cause environmental harm if not sited, designed and operated properly.

3 These guidelines form part of a package of regulations and guidelines which includes: The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 Policy and procedures for filing, review and approval of environmental assessments Guidelines for the preparation and review of Environmental Reports Pakistan environmental legislation and the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) as amended from time to time. These guidelines should be read in the context of overall package. A whole series of clearance is required from Environmental Protection Agency for the setting up a solid waste disposal and landfill facility in Pakistan Specifications for land filling 1. Wastes subjected to land filling shall be compacted in thin layers using landfill compactors to achieve high density of the wastes. In high rainfall areas where heavy compactors cannot be used alternative measures shall be adopted. 2. Wastes shall be covered immediately or at the end of each working day with minimum 10 cm of soil, inert debris or construction material till such time waste processing facilities for composting or recycling or energy recovery are set up. 3. Prior to the commencement of monsoon season, an intermediate cover of cm thickness of soil shall be placed on the landfill with proper compaction and grading to prevent infiltration during monsoon. Proper drainage berms shall be constructed to divert run-off away from the active cell of the landfill. 4. After completion of landfill, a final cover shall be designed to minimize infiltration and erosion. The final cover shall meet the following specifications ;-- a. The final cover shall have a barrier soil layer comprising of 60 cms of clay or amended soil with permeability coefficient less that 1 x 10-7 cm/sec. b. On top of the barrier soil layer there shall be a drainage layer of 15 cm. c. On top of the drainage layer there shall be a vegetative layer of 45 cm to support natural plant growth and to minimize erosion.

4 2.2.2 Pollution prevention In order to prevent pollution problems from landfill operations, the following provisions shall be made:- 1. Diversion of storm water drains to minimize leachate generation and prevent pollution of surface water and also for avoiding flooding and creation of marshy conditions; 2. Construction of a non-permeable lining system at the base and walls of waste disposal area. For landfill receiving residues of waste processing facilities or mixed waste or waste having contamination of hazardous materials (such as aerosols, bleaches, polishes, batteries, waste oils, paint products and pesticides) minimum liner specifications shall be a composite barrier having 1.5 mm high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane, or equivalent, overlying 90 cm of soil (clay or amended soil) having permeability coefficient not greater than 1 x 10-7 cm/sec. The highest level of water table shall be at least two meter below the base of clay or amended soil barrier layer; 3. Provisions for management of leachates collection and treatment shall be made. The treated leachates shall meet the NEQS. 4. Prevention of run-off from landfill area entering any stream, river, lake or pond Water Quality Monitoring 1. Before establishing any landfill site, baseline data of ground water quality in the area shall be collected and kept in record for future reference. The ground water quality within 50 metres of the periphery of landfill site shall be periodically monitored to ensure that the ground water is not contaminated beyond acceptable limit as decided by the concerned Federal/Provincial Environmental Protection Agency. Such monitoring shall be carried out to cover different seasons in a year that is, summer, monsoon and post-monsoon period. 2. Usage of groundwater in and around landfill sites for any purpose (including drinking and irrigation) is to be considered after ensuring its quality meets the WHO guidelines for drinking water supply Ambient Air Quality Monitoring 1. Installation of landfill gas control system including gas collection system shall be

5 made at landfill site to minimize odour generation, prevent off-site migration of gases and to protect vegetation planted on the rehabilitated landfill surface. 2. The concentration of methane gas generated at landfill site shall not exceed 25 per cent of the lower explosive limit (LEL). 3. The landfill gas from the collection facility at a landfill site shall be utilized for either direct thermal applications or power generation, as per viability. Otherwise, landfill gas shall be burnt (flared) and shall not be allowed to directly escape to the atmosphere or for illegal tapping. Passive venting shall be allowed if its utilization or flaring is not possible. 4. Ambient air quality at the landfill site and at the vicinity shall be monitored to meet the following specified standards 5. The ambient air quality monitoring shall be carried out by the concerned Federal and Provincial Environmental Protection Agency on quarterly basis in a year Standards for Composting, Leachates and Incineration 1. The waste processing or disposal facilities shall include composting, incineration, pelletization, energy recovery or any other facility based on state of the art technology duly approved by the concerned Federal and Provincial Environmental Protection Agency. 2. In case of engagement of private agency by the municipal authority, a specific agreement between the municipal authority and the private operator shall be made particularly, for supply of solid waste and other relevant terms and conditions. 3. In order to prevent pollution problems from compost plant and other processing facilities, the following shall be complied with:- 4. The incoming wastes at site shall be maintained prior to further processing. To the extent possible, the waste storage area should be covered. If, such storage is done in an open area, it shall be provided with impermeable base with facility for collection of leachate and surface water run-off into lined drains leading to a leachate treatment and disposal facility;

6 5. Necessary precautions shall be taken to minimize nuisance of odour, flies, rodents, bird menace and fire hazard; 6. In case of breakdown or maintenance of plant, waste intake shall be stopped and arrangements be worked out for diversion of wastes to the landfill site; 7. Pre-process and post-process rejects shall be removed from the processing facility on regular basis and shall not be allowed to pile at the site. Recyclables shall be routed through appropriate vendors. The non-recyclables shall be sent for well designed landfill site(s). 8. In case of compost plant, the windrow area shall be provided with impermeable base. Such a base shall be made of concrete or compacted clay, 50 cm thick, having permeability coefficient less than 10-7 cm/sec. The base shall be provided with 1 to 2 per cent slope and circled by lined drains for collection of leachate or surface run-off 9. Ambient air quality monitoring shall be regularly carried out particularly for checking odour nuisance at down-wind direction on the boundary of processing plant. 10. In order to ensure safe application of compost, the following specifications for compost quality shall be met as given in table 2.2. Table 2.2: Specifications for compost quality Parameters Concentration not to exceed * (mg/kg dry basis ) Arsenic Cadmium 5.00 Chromium Copper Lead Mercury 0.15 Nickel 50 Zink C/N * Compost (final product) exceeding the above stated concentration limits shall not be used for food crops. However, it may be utilized for purposes other than growing food crops.

7 2.2.6 Incineration Guidelines The Incineration Guidelines identify and explain issues that should be addressed for setting up incineration facility for healthcare infectious waste, narcotics and hazardous industrial waste. It is important to focus on key issues for specific proposals. The matters identified in these guidelines should provide guidance, for setting up an incineration facility. It is recognized that there are five stages in the process of developing incineration facility and following factors should be considered at each of these stages: i. The need to put up an incineration facility ii. Selection of an incinerator iii. Installation, commissioning and operation of an incineration facility iv. Monitoring and reporting of incineration facility v. Disposal of ash These guidelines form part of package of regulations and guidelines which includes: i. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 ii. Policy and procedures for filing, review and approval of environmental assessments iii. Guidelines for the preparation and review of environmental reports iv. Pakistan environmental legislation and the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) These guidelines should be read in the context of overall package. A whole series of clearance is required from Environmental Protection Agency for setting up an incineration facility. The guidelines may be reviewed/modified as and when required by the respective Federal/Provincial Environmental Protection Agency. These guidelines shall be applicable only to the new installation of incinerators. However, the existing incinerator should be upgraded with additional facilities as mentioned in these guidelines Emission standards and monitoring The emission from the incinerator, irrespective of the operation mode, shall comply with the standards as specified in the EPA of Pakistan NEQS-1997.

8 Hospitals should maintain in house continuous monitoring record of Stack emissions, which may be provided to EPA s, whenever required Air Pollution Control Device It is not possible to comply with the emission limit of 150 mg/nm3 (corrected to 12% CO2) for particulate matter, without Air Pollution Control Device (APCD). Therefore, a Healthcare waste incinerator shall always be equipped with APCD. No incinerator shall be allowed to operate unless equipped with APCD. The incinerator shall be equipped with High Pressure Venturi Scrubber System as ordinary APCD such as wet scrubber or cyclonic separator cannot achieve the prescribed emission limit for the facilities operating for 24hrs a day, APCD in terms of dry lime injection followed by bag filter can be considered Emission limits Proposed incineration of hazardous healthcare waste must be accompanied by the technical information about the facility, technology, manufacturers' emissions guarantees, specifications, existing regulatory agency permits and operating licenses, and mandatory maintenance schedules to ensure guaranteed performance. The air emission limits are summarized in the following table. Table 2.3: Air Emission Standards Parameter Maximum value Particulate matter (PMio) mg/nm Carbon monoxide (CO) ppmdv 40 Nitrogen oxide (NOx) ppmdv 250 Hydrogen chloride (HC1) ppmdv 100 Mercury (Hg) mg/nm Cadmium (Cd) mg/nm Dioxins / Furans (CDD/CDF) ng/m 3 125(Total)

9 Emission of grit and dust The emission of grit and dust shall not exceed the figures given in table 2.4. Calculated heat release (see clause 8 of BS 3316: Part 2: 1987) Table 2.4: Grit and dust emissions* KW Maximum emission of Grit and dust g/h * Intermediate values can be found by interpolation.