| [Ziad Al-Ghazawi] Can you tell us evidence, case studies that show a linkage between poor MSW management and human health? |
| There are many published, authoritative scientific studies that link waste management and health. |
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| [Ziad Al-Ghazawi] What do you think the reasons that regulations are usually unenforceble? |
| - Regulations ARE enforceable but you need adequate numbers of trained people and other resources. Regulations have to clearly specify the consequences of polluting. These consequences must be stringent and credible enough to deter people and businesses from polluting. |
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| [Ziad Al-Ghazawi] Do we have a national strategy for solid waste management in Jordan? |
| We suggest that you look at the environmental sections of Jordan's National Agenda. |
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| [Ziad Al-Ghazawi] For new landfills, and considering the high organic content, isn't it time to consider composting instaed of landfilling? |
| Many experts consider that composting is better than landfilling because it can generate a product (compost/fertilizer), it reduces the need for landfull space and it does not generate greenhouse gases. However, it has the potential for creating pollution if it's not done properly. Since 70% of Jordan's household solid waste is organic, it is suitable for composting. Jordan will still need landfills, though, for solid waste that cannot be composted. |
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| [Ziad Al-Ghazawi] Few years back, a feasibilty study was done by an American firm (Delenova Energy) on gas-to-energy from Akaider (another environmental challenge in the North), but they concluded it was not economically feasible. My question is: did any one do such feasibility studies for the country's landfills with Carbon Credits in account? |
| We are not aware of such a study, however it may exist. |
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| [Mark Peters] What are the hoped for outcomes of the project? |
| As established by the Government of Jordan, we are working towards the following outcomes at Russeifah: strengthening and landscaping the piles of phosphate ore, capping (covering) the landfill, capturing more gas from the landfill, and most of all, preventing illegal dumping of waste. |
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| [Mark Peters] Please tell us a bit about the projects that you are working on in Jordan currently. |
| Dr. Thabet Tolaymat is an environmental engineer from EPA's Office of Research and Development in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been working in Jordan since March and is focusing on solid waste issues in Russaifeh. |
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[mohammed khashashneh] what is the % of recycled solid waste from the overall disposed waste
what is the % of waste-to-energy and incineration
what is the % of the SW landfilled
|
| In the United States, the EPA has a goal of recycling 30% of solid waste. Well over 50% of solid waste in the US is put into landfills. There is some incineration. |
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[mohammed khashashneh] • Solid waste landfill rehabilitation – success stories
• Solid waste landfill control mechanisms
• Private sector participation in solid waste management
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| In the United States, there are detailed regulations that prescribe how a landfill must be built and what types of waste can and cannot go into it. These regulations, implemented in 1990, help to prevent pollution. This means that we control groundwater contamination and air emissions through engineered processes and proper landfill design. After a properly managed landfill is full, it can be reused by the owners for other purposes. There are regulations that prescribe what can be done to a landfill after it closes. For example, we have built golf courses over landfill sites. |
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[Ruba Zubi] If you were to prioritize solid waste problems in Jordan, what would be the top 3?
If you were to propose one major research topic on solid waste in Jordan, what would it be? |
| Uneven collection of solid waste, limited recycling, and non-specific solid waste regulations. A good research topic would be to find innovative ways to reuse and/or treat wastes that are unique to this area such as the waste from olive oil production. |
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[Ruba Zubi] What are three key messages regarding solid waste that you would communicate to:
- Jordanian policy-maker/regulator
- Jordanian housewife
- Jordanian school teacher |
| The US supports Jordan's efforts to protect its environment. The environment is a precious resource that we need to protect for future generations. Environmental protection starts at home and at school. Community participation and sharing of information is critical. |
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[Ruba Zubi] In light of the FTA and WTO obligations regarding liberlization of services, how could this impact (positively and negatively) each of the following in Jordan:
- Waste managment services & local service providers?
- Environmental protection?
- Green technologies?
- Trade & Economy? |
| Trade and competition under a liberalized economic agenda will promote inexpensive and effective waste treatment. |
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| [Sara Hashaikeh] Jordan is not a very rich country and as we all know it has a very high population rate which causes a lot of problems especially the high amount of garbage that is found in every house ,so how can we solve this problem with a less amount of money paid by the government? |
| Please refer to our previous answers on the three “R’s” – reduce, reuse, recycle. |
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| [eyad saca] Jordan has a lot of financial problems which results in problems with solid waste management so can u provide us with a way in treating solid wastes that doesn't need a lot of financial recourses? |
An effective way of managing solid waste is the three "R's" - reduce, reuse, recycle. Everyone can do that. If we don't generate as much solid waste, it becomes easier and cheaper to manage the solid waste that we do generate.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in this webchat. It has been a privilege. We will try to answer the remaining questions over the next few days. Please check the website http://amman.usembassy.gov. Goodbye. |
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[sahar samara] 1)How we can manage the waste of the vigetables and fruits to be useful for people ?
2)How we can protect our food and agriculture from the pollution caused by soild wastes ?
3) in our way to Zarqa there is a place whish the people put the waste coming from the houses and there is a very bad smel at the area , what we can do to solive this problem ?
|
| Composting (aerobic decomposition) is a good option for managing organic waste. You can protect agriculture by disposing of solid waste only in properly designed, properly built and properly run landfills. In the United States, landfills are located away from residential areas, farms, water sources and other important assets. On the question of the bad smell coming from the waste, you should contact the Ministry of Environment or the local government. |
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| [Farah Daghistani] Jordan is suffering from an inviromental problem by dumping wastes in Zarka-Amman River and that problem had spread through all Jordan , so what is the solution for this problem that can be solved with less amounts of money paid ? |
| The United States, at the request of the Government of Jordan, is working with Jordanian stakeholders to improve wastewater management, especially at the As-Samra wastewater treatment plant. We are also working on a manifest system to track waste from the point of origin until it is disposed of. This will help enforcement. This is a low-cost measure that will save money by preventing pollution. |
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| [Ra'ed Hourani] whilst planning to expose of solid waste wouldn't it be a good idea to determine the base chemical composition of the solid waste, then treet with appropriot chemicals to inhabit its affects on the environment when burning |
| For any type of waste disposal, it is essential to know the composition of the waste so that the appropriate type of controls and treatment can be applied. |
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[rawan twal] along time ago jordan had al-zarka river but now its polluted and full with wastes so we can not use water from it any longer
so whats the solution for this problem ?? |
| At the request of the Government of Jordan, the United States has been working with all stakeholders to expand and enhance the As-Samra wastewater treatment plant. That will go a long way towards addressing this issue. |
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| [fadi twal] Dr.Tolaymat would you give me some deep problems concerning solid waists that are affecting the American society? |
| The problems that affect Americans are similar to the problems that affect Jordanians. For example, as towns and cities grow, they “encroach” (get closer to) solid waste landfills which can affect the health of residents. An ongoing problem around the world is appropriate management of hazardous chemicals. |
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| [Hadeel Smairat] what are the disadvantges that are caused by burning the solid wastes? |
| Air pollution from unmanaged burning is definitely the main problem. |
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| [Faris Saca] can you give me a few examples on new ways of which to get rid of solid wasts |
| Among other technologies being developed, the EPA is actively researching ways to enhance degradation in landfills by adding liquids to the solid waste. This promotes faster stabilization of the solid waste and a higher generation rate for gas that can be used to generate energy. |
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[rawan twal] how does the u.s environmental protection agency work?
|
| The EPA has a headquarters in Washington and ten regional offices. In cooperation with industry, NGO’s and other stakeholders, EPA sets policies, regulations and standards for environmental protection. Local and state governments then enforce those regulations. EPA has an enforcement office that can impose heavy fines and take polluters to court. |
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[Muhannad Smairat] 1.what is the percent of poluting the air by burning the solid waste
|
| The exact percentage is not known, but motor vehicles are usually the biggest source of air pollution in urban areas. |
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| [Ra'ed Hourani] to what limit do the preservative actions towards the environment, cut down the industrial and economical development in jordan and the rest of the developed and developing countries |
| Environmental protection has an immediate economic cost, but that cost is much, much less than the ultimate costs of uncontrolled pollution and its effects on human health, natural resources, agriculture, cultural monuments, and the environment. |
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| [Hala Madani] what are the priority that Americans placed on portecting environment? |
| Americans place a high priority on protecting the environment, especially when it is a local issue that might affect them personally. At the same time, we place value on jobs and economic growth, so we need to balance environmental protection and economic growth. |
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[mervat batarseh] 7- we always say protection is better than cure ? how could we raise this issue for students at schools in the context of solid waste ? what is the most important isuue we should talk about ?
|
| We agree with you strongly. It is much easier to prevent pollution than to clean it up. We would encourage students to talk about environmental issues and participate in environmental activities. It's up to Jordanians to decide what they consider to be the most important environmental issues. |
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[mervat batarseh] 6- how do you rate the landfills as a solution for solid wastes in Jordan ? can we do more in this stage ? and if yes what could we do ?
|
| Properly built and managed landfills are a good and inexpensive way to manage much of Jordan’s solid waste stream. |
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| [mervat batarseh] 5- what is the most dangerous environmental effect by solid wastes in Jordan ? |
| Groundwater pollution is probably the most dangerous effect from solid waste. Jordan has limited water resources and relies heavily on groundwater for drinking. |
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| [mervat batarseh] 4 - what is the obstacles of implementing solid waste management programs in Jordan ? |
| The biggest obstacles are insufficient public awareness, the costs of infrastructure (like landfills) and inadequate legal enforcement. Individuals can make a big difference. |
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| [mervat batarseh] 2 - What are the achievements of the BIO Gas project in Zarqa until now? And if there Any relationship to KYOTO protocol in this area ? |
| The biogas project is successfully collecting gas and converting it to energy. It reduces odor from the landfill and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases. There is currently no relationship to the Kyoto Protocol but the Government of Jordan is studying the possibility. |
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| [mervat batarseh] 3 - how could Jordan use GIS in solid waste management ? is there any projects right now ? |
| GIS may be used to select good places to put landfills, and to design effective routes for collecting solid waste. We are not aware of any GIS projects now in Jordan on solid waste management. |
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| [mervat batarseh] 1 - Can you give us a brief description about the latest records of the a mounts of solid wastes in Jordan, and comparing to other countries what is the level of danger? |
| According to the Government of Jordan, each person in Jordan produces, on average, 0.98 kilograms per day of solid waste, or roughly 3,000 metric tonnes per day. This is slightly lower than the figures for the United States. Because of its high content of food waste, Jordanian waste probably contains fewer harmful chemicals than solid waste in the United States. |
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| [noor noubani] Does insufficient waste management affect global warming? |
| Yes it does, because when solid waste degrades, it can produce methane gas and carbon dioxide, which are both greenhouse gases. Capturing and utilizing the methane gas from a landfill can both generate renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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| [noor noubani] How can we help (as students) to encourage participation in environment protection and other environmental issues in my community? |
| Public support for a clean environment is absolutely essential. The environmental movement in the United States started with individuals who were concerned about environmental issues in their community. To start protecting the environment around you, use the three "R's": Reduce (the amount of resources you consume), Reuse (find ways to reuse products rather than just throwing them out) and Recycle (take used products and transform them into new resources - like aluminum cans and paper). Do some simple things: walk more instead of driving, use less water, and turn down the thermostat on your airconditioning. |
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| [noor noubani] What materials are dangerous if thrown in the trash? |
| ALL forms of waste can be dangerous if they're not properly managed. However, EPA pays special attention to substances that can potentially damage human health if not properly managed. These include waste from hospitals, pesticides, mercury, and some households chemicals. |
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| [Ruba Marji ] Can we generate energy from solid waste? |
| You can generate energy from some types of solid waste but not from all types. You can capture energy from incineration (burning tires and plastics, for example) and from gas generated by degradation (biological breakdown). Of course you need to properly manage these processes to both capture the energy and minimize further pollution. |
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| [Ruba Marji ] Does the recycling generate any kind of pollution? |
| Recycling generates some pollution but overall it generates less pollution than if you don't recycle at all. |
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| [Ruba Marji ] How much solid waste is generated each year in Jordan or in Russayfa? |
| Please see our previous answer on this same topic to Mervat Batarseh (above). |
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[mohammed khashashneh] can you provide with US legislation, guidlines related to solid waste hazadrouse waste and healthcare waste?
|
| To manage solid waste, hazardous waste and medical waste, the US has a system of laws and supporting regulations to implement those laws. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead US government agency for managing all forms of waste. EPA works closely with industry to develop environmental regulations that are both practical and effective. The goals are to protect human health and the environment. Specific environmental laws can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) volume 40. Much of this information is available on the internet about US environmental regulations at www.epa.gov. |
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