domingo, 23 de novembro de 2014

Waste Colection in São Tomé / Recolha de resíduos em São Tomé

Os esforços de recolha diferenciada, a começar pelos Mercados Municipais, está a ter resultados positivos.




Composting in São Tomé, Africa

Artigo a publicar
http://athens2014.biowaste.gr/pdf/vaz_et_al.pdf

Bio-waste separate collection implementation in the African urban context and how to improve waste management. São Tomé and Principe islands (pop. 178 739), located in West Africa face acute waste management problems due to lack of suitable resources and knowledge. Both non-biodegradable and biodegradable waste fractions are dumped in several scattered places. It is estimated that bio-waste accounts for around 70% of discarded municipal waste. The discussion is focused on how to sustain a bio-waste separate collection within such framework. In 2012, UCCLA – a Portuguese Non Profit Municipal Association – with financial support mainly from EU and Portugal - organized an innovative action: selective collection combined with local bio-waste management. The collection scheme was designed to initially gather 225 tons a year. The Municipality provided collection services, targeting non-domestic bio-waste producers (municipal markets, supermarkets, restaurants, canteens). Additionally, garden waste from municipal premises is also separately collected. Bio-waste is to be sent to the first working municipal Composting Plant (ETRC) in São Tomé. Hereby integrating collection with treatment. From July to December 2013 bio-waste delivered to the ETRC although not continuously, allowed a compost production of 5 tons. In 2014, ETRC output should increase up to 50 tons of compost thus maximizing the initial investment, and requiring more efficient and extended bio-waste collection, a major challenge. The ongoing experience shows that bio-waste collection success in São Tomé depends more on good planning, a user friendly system, local leadership, municipal engagement (political, financial), persistent donors then on any other factor.