Assessing the Challenges and Potential of Implementing Composting As Part of a Municipal Solid Waste Management System in Baisha, Hainan, China
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Assessing the challenges and potential of implementing composting as part of a municipal solid waste management system in Baisha, Hainan, China by Gloria Elizabeth Ichim A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Environmental Studies in Geography Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2007 ©Gloria Elizabeth Ichim 2007 AUTHOR'S DECLARATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract China currently produces the largest quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the world at 190, 000, 000 metric tones (World Bank 2005). China faces the continuing challenge of increased waste generation due to population growth, increased income, and increased urbanization. As part of environmental protection initiatives, the central government has issued many policy commitments at the national level to address waste management. In concurrence with the national objectives of addressing the problem of waste management, Hainan province has developed an integrated waste management plan that it hopes to implement by 2020 (The Hainan City Environment and Sanitary Association, in association with Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2005). Organic waste, which accounts for a significant proportion of the waste stream in China, poses both challenges and opportunities in terms of disposal and recovery. While the final disposal of organics may present significant challenges, recovery of organic waste through composting is one alternative. Composting is widely recognized as an effective method of turning organic waste into a useful product. Nevertheless, the implementation of composting as part of a Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) strategy faces challenges. Broadly, these challenges include administrative/policy, human acceptance and participation, management, technological and logistical, and marketing as well as composting process, source separation, contamination, quality of the final product, appropriate composting technologies and final demand and distribution of the final product (Schubeler et al. 1996, Hoornweg et al. 1999). This thesis uses a case study approach in implementing a composting pilot project in cooperation with the local and provincial government in Baisha Hainan China. Labor intensive, low technological, windrow composting is used so as to assess the challenges and potential of implementing composting iii as part of a municipal solid waste management strategy in Baisha Hainan China. The research uses a participatory action research approach incorporating research methods such as participant observation, key informant interviews (n=122), and rapid rural appraisals. The research objectives are to understand the current waste management system, understand how implementing composting affects the waste management system entails, understand the barriers to implementation, understand the implications: impact of implementation, potential, and finally to propose recommendations on how to implement composting. The research identified seven necessary key factors that if not given sufficient attention could potentially jeopardize the successful implementation and operation of composting: governmental support must be present, funds must be made available since operating cost of the waste management system will increase, best practices for composting must be established, training for waste workers must be provided, a market (or end use) for the final product must be established, NIMBY needs to be addressed, source separation should be applied. iv Acknowledgements This work was made possible through the financial support of eco-plan China (Tier one project of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)). I would like to give heartfelt thanks to my supervisor Brent Doberstein for his excellent supervision skills. His supervision and knowledge have meant an incredible amount to me. I would like to thank my committee member Murray Haight for providing me the amazing opportunity to work on his project. His guidance and insight into waste management systems has been truly inspirational. I would also like to thank my readers Mark Seasons and Mary Louise McAllister for their time and effort. I would like to thank our partners and colleagues at the Hainan Department of Land Environment and Resource: Zhang Jing and Wu Guo Wen for their hard work and dedication to this project. I would also like to thank Director Yue Jian Hua, Director Yue Ping, and Li Qing Gui. Special thanks go to Yang Shui Wen and Jing Jiao for their companionship and their willingness to share data and insight. From Baisha County I would like to thank Chunqiu Tang. From Baisha Township I would like to thank Chief Wang Wen, Fu Jianming, and Yuanqi Xu for the incredible hospitality and cooperation. From the department of land special thanks go to Chief Chen Weiye for his hard work and help. From the department of environment protection a heartfelt thanks go to Zhou Puxuan and Mai Guangwei; especially Mr. Mai for his positive spirit, friendly personality, and excellent assistance. From the department of sanitation I would like to thank Huang Yongjun for his cooperation. I would also like to thank the waste workers Fu Yu and Fu Guilan for their commitment to composting and friendship. Thanks also go my two students Mingliang Xu and Wang Hui Hui for their companionship. Special thanks go to my friend and translator Li Li from Hunan. No amount of thanks can truly convey the extent of appreciation that I have for your help in translation, research, and networking which have been truly remarkable. I would also like to thank Quan Bo for assisting in translation. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Zhao Hui Zhong (Jeffrey) and his family form Changsha Hunan, for receiving us in Hunan. His help throughout the years has helped me know and love Chinese history, culture, and people. Thanks my favored aunt and uncle Parascheva and Ion Vasilescu for your constant encouragement and constructive pressure. I would like to thank my siblings: Christine for her proofreading, editorial scrutiny, and constructive arguments: Thomas for his proofreading and support: Matthew for stimulating conversations about the economic implications of waste: Chris for his “chilled-ness”: Julian for inspiring me to Wei Ren Min Fu. Super thanks go to Issam Aib for his formatting assistance, friendship, and patience: I would like to thank Wang Kai for his thought provoking conversations, translation, and friendship throughout the years: Dong Yun Wei for his cartography assistance: Ernest and Zoreh- you guys are the best- enough said!! As well as Dan Petrovic, Caroline and Isabel Siudylo, Nancy Pereira, Thuy Bui, Faranak Amirsalari and Nadia Hausfather- for making my life lively and interesting. v Dedication On a personal level this thesis is dedicated to my father Dumirtu Ichim for teaching me the importance of education and inspiring me to search for knowledge and my mother Florica Batu Ichim for instilling in me a healthy dose of skepticism and encouraging me to question. On a practical level this thesis is dedicated to the all the Chinese people who continue to “serve the people”. vi Table of Contents AUTHOR'S DECLARATION ............................................................................................................... ii Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ v Dedication ............................................................................................................................................. vi Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ xii List of Photograph ............................................................................................................................... xiii Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Chinese government’s growing awareness of environmental problems and responses ............... 6 1.2 Statement of problem and research aims: ..................................................................................... 9 1.3 Approach and limitations ........................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Thesis organization ..................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2 Review of the Literature ...................................................................................................... 14 2.1 Waste and resources ..................................................................................................................