1. Waste and materials management requirements

 

Background

 

Why is the mismanagement of plastic waste bad for the environment? 

 

Environmental contamination due to solid waste mismanagement is a global issue. Open dumping and open burning are the main implemented waste treatment and final disposal systems, mainly visible in low-income countries (Ferronato, N. and Torretta, V., 2019). Main environmental issues are (1) visual impacts; (2) air contamination, odors and green-house gasses (GHG) emission; (3) vectors of diseases; (4) surface water and groundwater pollution. 

 

Objectives

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Manage waste and materials in a manner that minimizes their short- and long-term physical and chemical risks, and protects the health and safety of communities and future land and water uses.

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• Policy and governance 

• Plastic waste source characterization and impact prediction 

• Waste facility assessment 

• Mitigation of risks and management of plastic waste management

• Facilities 

• Independent review of plastic waste management facilities 

• Stakeholder engagement of in plastic waste management 

 

2. Water Management requirements

 

Background

 

How does plastic affect the water?

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The landfill leachate being generated from the open dump sites contains a high concentration of carbons, ammonia, chloride and other heavy metals. A global and visible impact that is affecting the seas and oceans is the marine littering, mainly caused by plastic waste. 

 

Objectives

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To manage water resources in a manner that strives to protect current and future uses of water.

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• Water management context and collaboration at the local and regional level

• Site characterization and prediction of potential impacts 

• Prevention and mitigation of impacts to water

• monitoring and adaptive management 

• Data sharing, Communications and Reporting on Water Management Performance 

 

3. Air Quality requirements

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Background

 

Why are plastic landfills impacting the air quality?

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Open landfills contaminates the air, because of the odors and green-house-gasses emission or because of burning waste at the site. 

 

Objectives

 

Protect human health and the environment from airborne contaminants.

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• Air quality screening and impact assessment 

• Air quality management plan

• Air quality monitoring 

• Protection of air quality 

• Reporting 

 

4. Greenhouse gas emission (GHG) requirements

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Background

 

How is the plastic influencing greenhouse gas emissions?

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GHG and other odors generated from the waste in landfills are affecting the environment and people’s health. The generation of methane and GHGs increases global warming, the risk of local fires and the pollution of the atmosphere surrounding the final disposal sites.

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Objectives

 

Minimize climate change impacts through increased energy efficiency, reduced energy consumption and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.

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• Greenhouse gas policy 

• Emissions quantification 

• Emissions reduction strategy 

• Reporting 

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5. Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Protected Areas requirements

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Background

 

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, describes the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes. Biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human well-being, it is a central component of many belief systems, world views and identities, it provides for food security, human health, clean air and water, and contributes to local livelihoods and economic development. Despite its fundamental importance, however, biodiversity continues to be lost.

 

In which context does landfill take place and is posing a threat to the diversity? 

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Objectives

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Protect biodiversity, maintain the benefits of ecosystem services and respect the values being safeguarded in protected areas.

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• Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and protected areas screening 

• Impact Assessment 

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Impact Mitigation and Management 

• Protected areas mitigation and management 

• Monitoring