UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSEMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SECTION

Disaster Waste
Management Guidelines

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
www.unocha.org/unep
www.eecentre.org
ochaunep@un.org
MSB - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
Coordination and Operations Department
SE 651 81 Karlstad
SwedenTel. +46 771 240 240
Fax +46 10 240 56 00
www.msb.se/enEdition 2
Published in Switzerland, March 2013 by the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit Copyright © 2013
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or not-forprofit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement
is made of the source.
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
www.eecentre.org
Experts contributing to report: Dr. Per Berg, Anttilator; Mr. Martin Bjerregaard,
Disaster Waste Recovery; Mr. Leif Jönsson, MSB
Design and layout: Nikki Meith
Cover photo: Salvaging scrap metal from post-earthquake debris, Muzaffarabad(source: MSB and JEU)

Contents

FOREWORD .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 2SECTION 1:

Introduction .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 3Structure of guidelines.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 4Box: Typical disaster waste issues and their effects. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 4

SECTION 2:

Guidance .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7Framework for disaster waste management .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7Phase 1: Immediate phase.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7Phase 2: Medium term actions. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 8Phase 3: Long term actions.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 10
Phase 4: Contingency planning.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 11
Programme sustainability.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 12
Box: Suggested contents for a Disaster Waste Management Contingency Plan.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 13

SECTION 3:

Key considerations.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 14
Health and safety in disaster waste management.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 14
Key stakeholders .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 15
Communication and coordination .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 16
Box: Common risks by disaster waste hazard type .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 17

ANNEXES

Annex I.

Needs assessment in the emergency phase. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 18

Annex II. Waste hazard ranking tool. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 23
Annex III. Immediate phase waste handling matrix .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 24
Annex IV. Developing temporary disposal sites .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 26
Annex V. Checklist of medium term phase needs.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 28
Annex VI. Fundraising project template. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 36
Annex VII. Guidelines for closure of temporary disposal . .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 38
Annex VIII. Exit strategies.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 39
Annex IX. Terminology. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 40
Annex X.	 Acronymns .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 42
TABLES

Table 1.

Typical disaster waste issues and their impacts. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 5

Table 2.

Hazard types and their waste characteristics .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 6

Table 3.

Immediate phase tools and steps .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 8

Table 4.

Medium term phase tools and steps .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 9

Table 5.

Long term phase tools and steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Table 6.

Contingency planning tools and steps . .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 12

Foreword

Disaster waste is a well-recognized threat to health, safety and the environmental, and canalso be a major impediment to post-disaster rescue operations.
Experience shows that disaster waste is often managed in an ad hoc manner, however,and that substantial improvements can be made in future response efforts.
These guidelines, developed collaboratively by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency –or MSB for short – and the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, aim to do just that. They
represent much of the best current knowledge and lessons learned on disaster waste
management, and provide national authorities and international relief experts alike withsound and practical advice to help them manage disaster waste. They were developed
following a request by governments at the international Advisory Group on Environmental
Emergencies, and are based on extensive consultations with national and international
stakeholders.
These guidelines are an important start to improving the management of disaster waste.
They must be complemented by efforts to ensure their uptake and regular use througha range of disaster management mechanisms. We look forward to working with a wide
range of stakeholders to achieve this.

Anneli Bergholm Söder
Head of Department for Coordination
and Operations, MSB

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Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Rudolf Müller
Chief, Emergency Services Branch,
OCHASECTION ONE

Introduction

Disasters and conflicts can generate large quantities ofsolid and liquid waste that threaten public health, hinder reconstruction and impact the environment. Disaster
Waste (DW) can be generated by the actual disaster, as
well as, later during the response and recovery phases.
Public health risks can arise from: direct contact with
waste accumulated in the streets, hazardous wastes suchas asbestos, pesticides, oils and solvents, and indirectlyfrom vectors such as flies and rodents, and from postdisaster collapse of unstable structures.
Relief and reconstruction efforts can be hindered when
DW blocks access to affected populations and areas.
Environmental impacts, which are closely associatedwith human impacts, can include waterways, agriculturalareas and communities contaminated by chemicals andheavy metals. Physical obstruction of waterways can also
occur.

In most cases, DW places more burdens on communities
already struggling to cope with catastrophe.
DW also presents opportunities: it may contain valuable
material such as concrete, steel, and timber as well asorganics for composting. This value can be realized aseither a source of income or as a reconstruction material, and reduce burdens on natural resources that mightother­wise be harvested for reconstruction.
Safe handling, removal and management of DW are therefore important issues in disaster response and recovery.
Effective approaches can help manage DW risks to lifeand health and seize opportunities from the waste tosupport recovery and development outcomes.
Unfortunately, current DW management practice often
involves either no action, in which the waste is left toaccumulate and decompose, or improper action, in which
the waste is removed and dumped in an uncontrolled

Typical hurricane debris where a roof has been blown off and debris spread over area in post-hurricane Turks and Caicos
Island 2008. Source: MSB and Anttilator

UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

3

Disaster Waste Management Guidelines

manner. In the latter case, improper dumping may
create long-term environmental problems that affect thecommunity or occur on economically significant land andrequire the waste to be moved again, creating additionalcosts.

material. National authorities have primary responsibility for
DW management, consequently where these guidelines
are being used by parties other than national authorities it
is assumed that they have an official national request forassistance.

Although national authorities have the primary responsibility
for dealing with DW, when overwhelmed by a disaster it isunclear which international assistance agency can provide
which type of assistance to them.

Structure of guidelines
The guidelines are in four parts:

These guidelines provide advice and tools to overcome
these challenges and manage DW in emergency andtake out early recovery phases. They are targeted at
implementers of disaster waste management projects.
Their objective is to i) minimize risks to human life andhealth ii) reduce risks to the environment and iii) ensurethat any value in the DW is realized, to the benefit ofaffected communities.
A wide range of stakeholders
have been consulted in the development of theseguidelines. They are not highly technical, but rather, acommon-sense compilation of good practice drawn
from experienced disaster waste managers and existing1.

Introduction and overview.

2.

General guidance divided into the immediate
response phase, medium term phase and longterm phases. The latter includes information oncontingency planning.

3.

Key considerations that are important throughout the process – for example, health andsafety.

4.

Tools and checklists for implementing the guidance provided. These are in the attached Annexes.

Typical disaster waste issues and their effects
In these guidelines, disaster waste means solid and liquid waste generated from a disaster.
Common examples include: concrete, steel, wood, clay and tar elements from damaged buildings and infrastructures; household furnishings; parts from the power and telephone grids such as electrical poles, wire,
electronic equipment, transformers; parts from water and sewage distribution systems; natural debris such asclay, mud, trees, branches, bushes, palm tree leaves; chemicals, dyes and other raw materials from industries
and workshops; waste from relief operations; damaged boats, cars, buses, bicycles; unexploded ordnance(e.g. landmines); waste from disaster settlements and camps including food waste, packaging materials,
excreta and other wastes from relief supplies; pesticides and fertilizers; household cleaners; paint, varnish
and solvents; and healthcare waste.
For the purpose of these guidelines, disaster waste does not include: human corpses, animal carcasses,
faecal material and urine disposed of in functioning latrines or contaminated land. Human corpses obviously
require sensitive handling that respects local culture and communities and are addressed elsewhere.1
Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders (Editors: Oliver Morgan,
Morris Tidball-Binz and Dana Van Alphen).

1

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Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

INTRODUCTION

Table 1. Typical disaster waste issues and their impacts
Issue
Uncollected building rubble fromdamaged buildings

Typical human and environmental impacts
Impeded access and constrained rehabilitation & reconstruction activities.
Waste tends to attract more waste since the site is already considered a
dumping site.

Dumping in inappropriate areas
and/or proliferation of scattereddump sites

Potential human health and injury risks from dump sites too close tosettlements, especially from hazardous materials. Destruction of valuable
land. Impacts on drinking water supplies and damage to valuable
fisheries. Additional costs if waste must be moved later. Increasein disease vectors (flies, mosquitoes, rats, etc.). Risk of waste piles
collapsing. Risk of fires. Risk of cuts from sharp materials, including
used syringes.

Collapse of municipal solid waste
services, including possible loss ofexperienced waste managers

Lack of collection service and uncontrolled dumping of waste.

Uncontrolled dumping of healthcare
waste from hospitals and clinics

Serious health risks to local populations including the spread of disease
and infection, for example from used syringes; odour problems.

Asbestos sheet exposure incollapsed structures or in re-use ofasbestos for reconstruction

Health risks associated with inhalation.

Mixed healthcare waste, including red bags indicating infectious waste, disposed of openly in post-hurricane Turks andCaicos Island 2008. Source: MSB and Anttilator

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

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Disaster Waste Management Guidelines

Table 2. Hazard types and their waste characteristics
Structures collapse ‘in-situ’, i.e. floor slabs collapse on top of each other, trapping waste within
damaged buildings and structures. This can lead to challenges in sorting out hazardous waste (e.g.
asbestos) from non-hazardous (e.g. general building rubble).
Earthquakes

Collapsed buildings may overlap across streets, making access difficult for the search and rescue andrelief operations.
Quantities of waste are high compared to other disaster types since all building contents normally
become waste.
Initial damage depends on the structural integrity of infrastructure, while building contents are normallydamaged extensively. Mould may be present and timber may have begun to rot.

Flooding

Buildings are typically stripped by owners and waste placed on roads for collection. Waste is often
mixed with hazardous materials such as household cleaning products and electronic goods.
Flooding may bring mud, clay and gravel into affected areas, making access difficult once thefloodwater recedes. Removal may be required for relief and recovery operations. The mud, clay andgravel may be mixed with hazardous materials, requiring further assessment before dumping.

TsunamiStrong tsunamis can cause widespread damage to infrastructure, spreading debris over large areas.
Debris is often be mixed with soils, trees, bushes and other loose objects such as vehicles. This makes
waste difficult to handle and segregate.

Volcanoes

The damage caused by volcanic eruptions primarily results from the dispersal of ash and pumice stone
in combination with flows of molten rock (lava).
The removal of debris is often obstructed by fine ash particles which cause further strain on mechanicaland hydraulic equipment as well as electric and electronic devices.
Strong winds can tear the roof off buildings, after which walls may collapse.

Hurricanes
typhoons
cyclones

Poorly constructed houses and huts can ‘fold’ under roof tops. Even brick and concrete walls may
collapse. Waste is spread over open land, streets, and marketplaces. This would include roofing
materials, small items and dust carried by the wind. This may cause serious problems where asbestos
is present.
Ships and boats are often thrown ashore and destroyed, requiring specialized waste management.
Vessels that sink in harbours need to be removed.
Electrical and telephone grids as well as transformers containing oil and PCBs may be destroyed.
Intense, short-term conflicts can involve rockets, missiles and bombs, which, combined with landcombat, result in damage to buildings and infrastructure, key strategic installations being bombed and/or widespread damage to industrial and residential areas.

Conflict –short-term

Damaged infrastructure is often burnt, resulting in the destruction of most internal furnishings andfittings. This reduces the quantities of debris to be managed and leaves primarily non-flammable items
such as concrete, bricks and stones. Bridges, roadways, railway structures etc. are often targeted.
Their clearing requires heavy machinery such as excavators and bulldozers.
Waste collection vehicles may be damaged or be commandeered for military purposes.
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) including undetonated landmines may be present among waste.

Conflict –protracted

6

Protracted conflicts share similarities with short-term, intense conflicts but there is often morewidespread damage to building and infrastructure, and increased use of landmines on or nearstrategic roadways and facilities.

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

SECTION TWO

Guidance

Framework for disaster waste
management
For waste to pose a risk to human health or the local
environment, three conditions must be met: it must be(1) hazardous (i.e. toxic to human health) or present a
hazard; there must be (2) a route or ‘pathway’ by which
the hazardous waste can (3) impact a ‘receptor’, forexample a person or a water source.
Where these three elements of risk are present, the waste
can have a negative impact and must be considered apotential priority.
For the purpose of this framework, the response to andpreparedness for the disaster can be divided into fourphases.

l

Map waste. Use above data in a waste map of
the affected area. The map will be a valuable tool
throughout the process, and can be updated as
information becomes available.

lAssess waste. Allow for a prioritization of action to
be developed. This requires the use of the framework noted above: where waste is present, determine if there is also a ‘pathway’ and ‘receptor’.

lPrioritize actions. Each identified waste stream
and/or issue is given a ‘common sense’ ranking
based on the following as a guide:m

Appropriate disposal sites are to be identified
for the disposal of the different types of waste
collected in the emergency phase. If an existing
disposal site is available, it should be rapidly
assessed for environmental compliance before
use. Where no existing disposal site is available,
a temporary disposal site or engineered
dumpsite should be identified and established.
See Annex IV for more details. No waste shallbe admitted on a temporary storage site without
having been evaluated and authorized by ancompetent authority.

m

Main streets are to be cleared to provide
access for search and rescue efforts and relief
provisions. Any DW moved should, if possible,
stay in the emergency area. It should not be
moved out before appropriate disposal site(s)have been identified.

m

All available equipment and stakeholders should
be utilised. Wheelbarrows and wooden carts
pulled by animals can be used where excavators,
trucks and skips do not have access.

m

If hospitals and clinics are affected by thedisaster, they should be encouraged to separate
infectious and/or healthcare waste, store it
separately and transport it to temporary special
treatment or disposal sites.

Phase 1: immediate and short term actions
Phase 1 addresses the most acute waste issues required tosave lives, alleviate suffering and facilitate rescue operations.
Any other considerations at this stage are secondary. Use
the tools and checklists noted below to support your work.

0-72 hours: immediate actions
Often initiated within hours of the disaster event:
Create a hazard ranking using the following steps to
identify the most urgent priorities:l

Identify waste issues. Determine geographic presence of the waste through governmental sources,
HIT2, Geographical Information System, news, andinformation gathered from local agencies.

lCharacterize waste. Quantify composition andquality of the identified waste streams and dumps/
landfills through site visits and waste sampling/
analysis, even if this is cursory.

HIT is Hazards Identification Tool: Available in on-line Disaster Waste Management Guidelines, tag 6: Other usefultools – HIT. www.eecentre.org This desk-based evaluation is normally carried out by the JEU and provided to
relevant responders.

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Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

7

Disaster Waste Management GuidelinesmWhatever resources that are available to address
the issues identified in the above analysis as
most pressing should be marshalled.

The output from these actions should be an understanding of the basic DW issues, and a series of actions toaddress the most urgent of these.

72 hours onwards: short term actions
Phase 2: Medium term actions

Often initiated within days of the disaster event:l

If people remain in the disaster area, the collection of
their household waste should be carried out where
possible.

l

At this stage a rapid DW assessment should be carriedout to inform further decision-making. Exact data is
not required, but reasonable ideas about the statusof waste management, access to disposal sites, theability of local authorities to handle the situation, andthe need for any international assistance should be
provided.

Other considerations:lWastes from Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps
should be managed in coordination with general solid
waste management services, and thus integrated
with the local waste collection services.

l

Ownership of waste, in particular reusable waste, isan important issue to clarify to avoid later conflicts.

Phase 2 lays the groundwork for a disaster waste man­agement programme to be implemented during the
medium term phase. It also continues to address key
issues such as the location of a disposal site for thedifferent types of waste, streamlining logistics for waste
collection, transportation and reuse/recycling activities.
Efforts here build on the initial Phase 1 assessment but go
into greater depth, with an emphasis on longer-term solutions. Required actions normally include:

AssessmentslContinue to assess the disaster waste (extent
of waste generation, locations, types of waste,
regulatory understanding, etc.).

l

Assess locations for medium term temporary disposal and waste separation sites for unsorted rubble
and municipal waste. This may entail upgrading or
improving current dumpsites.

Table 3. Immediate and short term phase tools and steps

8

Annex I

Waste needs assessment

Use this checklist to identify what different types of waste
are present, where and in what condition.

Annex II

Hazard ranking tool

Fill this table with all waste streams and associatedhazards/risks.

Annex III

Waste handling matrix

Refer to this for options on handling, treating anddisposing each disaster waste type.

Annex IV

Disposal site guidelines

Select emergency dumpsites using these guidelines.

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

GUIDANCElAssess requirements to close current dumpsites
if these pose a threat to human health or theenvironment.

l

Identify and assess other waste management
facilities in or near to the disaster affected area.

l

Assess local capacities for addressing disaster waste
and identify gaps/needs for additional assistance.

OperationslEstablish temporary storage sites for debris andregular waste. See Annex IV or tag 6 of the on-line
DWM Guidelines www.eecentre.orglInitiate collection and transportation of waste anddebris, with the goal of expanding this in the latter
phases .

l

Prepare practical advice and guidance for local
authorities on interim solutions to minimize environmental and health impacts of disaster waste.

Communication and reportinglCommunicate rapidly and regularly regarding all
findings to the local authorities, the United Nations
Resident Coordinator, UN Disaster Assessment andCoordination teams, the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit and other international response mechanisms as appropriate.

lDocument in electronic form the assessment results,
recommendations, and mitigation measures implemented.

The outputs from these planning actions include data andinformation to design a disaster waste management programme to be implemented in the recovery phase.

Table 4. Medium Term Actions’ tools and steps

Waste
needs
assessment

Revisit current waste
activities and ensure
different types of waste
are being accounted for.

Waste
handling
matrix

Review options for thehandling, treatment anddisposal of each disaster
waste stream.

Annex VI

Fundraising

Hold consultations on thedevelopment of disaster
waste management
project proposals and/or
funding requests.

Annex VII

Dumpsiteclosureguidelines

Use these to close
unman­aged dumpsites.

Annex V

PlanningllImplement a communications plan for affected
communities with a focus on opportunities (i.e. reuse
and recycling), risks (i.e. human health risks) andcollection schemes.

Annex III

Develop a plan for healthcare waste. This may entail
the construction of a temporary incinerator for healthcare waste.

lDevelop a special plan for hazardous waste (including asbestos) collection and treatment.

lConsult affected communities on issues relating to
public health, wastes, livelihoods and the environment.

l

Identify exit strategies and handover options for thedisaster waste management systems planned forestablishment.

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Disaster Waste Management Guidelines

Phase 3: Long term actionslHand over disaster waste management systems into
a normalized and improved solid waste management
system.

Phase 3 includes implementation of disaster waste
management projects designed in Phase 2, andcontinued monitoring and evaluation of the disaster
waste situation.

The output of this phase should be having all disaster
waste addressed either through disposal, incineration, reuse or recycling.

The following main actions should be considered:

Table 5. Long Term Actions’ tools and stepsl

Develop and implement a communications plan for
the key stakeholders to ensure the disaster waste
management programme is aligned with community
expectations and needs.

lProcure or repair required waste management plant,
machinery and equipment.

lTrain waste management operators if required.

lSupport the implementation of disaster waste management systems by supporting waste management
operators/operatives or local authorities.

Annex VIII

Exit
strategies

Salvaging scrap metal from post-earthquake debris, Muzaffarabad. Source: MSB and JEU

10Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Develop exit strategies andhandover of disaster waste
management projects.

GUIDANCE

Phase 4: Contingency Planning
Phase 4 is not, strictly speaking, part of emergency
response. However, it does help bridge the gap between
response, recovery, and longer-term development and istherefore an important investment. Contingency planningcan be conducted during the long term phase or as apreparedness measure prior to disaster.
The objective is to develop a Disaster Waste Management
Contingency Plan (DWMCP) to aid communities indetermining appropriate management options in advanceof a disaster.

A plan identifying cost-effective disaster waste man­agement options and resources can save money, increase
control over waste management and improve administrative efficiency.
The plan may also serve as a resource document in negotiating technical and financial assistance.
An effective DWMCP addresses issues well beyond initial
removal and should include a strategy for recycling andreuse of materials (including composting). There are many
possible components of a DWMCP, including:lPre-planning activities;

Clearing hurricane debris in post-hurricane Turks and Caicos Island 2008. Note the lack of appropriate equipment to segregate roofing and reusable boards. Source: MSB and Anttilator

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11

Disaster Waste Management GuidelinesllSecondary activitiesm

Establish governmental coordination.

m

Identify likely waste and debris types.

It is important to have an exit strategy from the long termphase onwards to ensure sustainability. Key to this is local
engagement in all activities, including:m

Forecast amounts of waste and debris.

lm

List applicable national, and local environmental
regulations.

Ensuring technical abilities: local capacities must
be built such that once the project is completed there
remains adequate technical capability to carry on any
waste management systems;mInventory current capacity for waste and debris
management and determine waste and debris
tracking mechanisms.

lmPre-select temporary waste and debris storagesites and identify opportunities for secure temporary storage of hazardous waste.

Financial self-sufficiency: any waste management
system must continue to function past the long term
recovery phase with fees and/or public sector funds
to ensure sustainability;m

Identify equipment and administrative needs.

mPre-negotiate contracts.

m

Develop a communications plan.

mCreate a disaster debris prevention strategy.

mCreate a debris removal strategy.

Harmful materials identification and hazardous waste
management recommendationsl

Recycling optionslWaste-to-energy optionslDisposal optionslOpen burning options

Table 6. Contingency planning tools and steps
Complete contingency planning guidelines areavailable as tag 7 of the on-line DWM Guidelines

http://www.eecentre.org

12

Programme sustainability

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Effective handover is also important. Options include:lprivate sector handover, where the system established is passed on to a private sector company
which continues to operate as a for-profit service.
This can be a direct handover to the current management team or follow a tendering process;lpublic sector handover, where the system ishanded over to the local authority or another governmental department for continued operations as partof a public sector service;lcommunity-based organization (local NGO), where
the system is taken over by a local NGO to continue
operations with national or international funding; orlpublic / private hybrid handover, where a public
sector organization can function as a commercial
entity providing services back to either the public
sector or directly into the marketplace.

Suggested contents for a Disaster Waste Management Contingency Plan
1. 		Coordination
		Governmental coordination
		Coordination with other stakeholders
		Coordination with international assistance
2.		Types of waste and debris after a disaster
3.		Disaster debris and rubble prevention strategy
4.		Forecast of amounts of waste and debris
5.		Harmful materials identification – potential hazardous waste
6.		Applicable national and local environmental regulations
7.		Current capacity for waste and debris management. Determine waste and debris tracking mechanisms
8.		Equipment and administrative needs
9.		Hazardous waste management
		Industrial HW
		Household HW10.		Healthcare waste management
		Infectious waste
		Hazardous substances
		Conventional waste
11.		Clean up and Debris removal strategy
		Street clean up priority
		Other open space priority
		Business and work clean up priority
		Implementation of pre-negotiated contracts
12.		Selection of temporary waste and debris storage sites
13.		Management of temporary waste and debris storage sites
14.		Recycling options
		Steel and other metals
		Concrete, bricks and other construction material
		Wood and board
		Paper, plastics, glass and other packaging material
		Composting and bio-gas production
15.		Disposal options
		Temporary disposal
		Landfilling (permanent)
16.		Incineration options
17.		Open burning options
18.		Communication plan

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SECTION THREE

Key considerations

This section presents considerations that are important
throughout the process: health and safety, stakeholder
management, communications and coordination, andcommon risks from disaster types.

Health and safety in disaster waste
management

local communities in debris clearance schemes.
Typical PPE includes adapted footwear (hard boots
to prevent spikes entering the sole and minimise therisk of harm from heavy materials dropping onto feet),
hard hats, gloves, overalls and masks;•

At the new waste handling site, laying out the site totake into account H&S, for example one way trafficsystems and limited cross over between vehicles andhumans at the site. People working with the waste
should have access to proper and clean changing
and washing facilities for use during and after waste
handling and processing works; and•Having adequate dust suppression where rubble isbeing crushed or waste is being processed (e.g. using
water spraying). Facilities and equipment should
be fitted with noise, vibration and harmful emission
reduction mechanisms, as well as machinery guards
to prevent accidents.

Health and safety (H&S) of personnel is paramount to thesuccess of any disaster waste management initiative andmust be integrated from day one. Minimum requirements
include:•Ensuring that all personnel managing and overseeing
DW efforts are experienced and implement appropriate safety systems;•

Ensuring the greatest possible use of personal
protective equipment (PPE), including casual labour
staff (i.e. those involved in cash-for-work) from theHazardous waste (car batteries and LPG cylinder) mixed with debris, Balakot 2005. Source: MSB and JEU

14Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

It should be noted that there are increasing cases of legal
action relating to exposure to hazardous substances
during disaster clean-up works.
Further guidance on H&S in waste management canbe found at the Environmental Emergencies Centre(EEC) on www.eecentre.org.

Stakeholder management
The groups listed below should be kept in mind andinvolved/engaged as appropriate in the development
and implementation of any actions. It is assumed that all
activities occur under the overall direction of responsible
national and local authorities:

Beneficiaries/target groups
The following beneficiary and target groups should betaken into account and involved from the early stages of
DW waste assessment, planning, programme design andmanagement:llDisaster affected communities and populations
requiring support in clearing their property of disaster
wastes and removing waste generated by households. This group may include those residing in
refugee camps and camps for Internally Displaced
People (IDP);
The informal waste sector, e.g. scavengers, waste
pickers or recyclers who may have networks forreuse and recycling;lSolid waste management service companies andtheir employees who may require rehabilitation
support;lPrivate sector and non-governmental waste organizations that may have been affected by the disaster;l

Hospitals and clinics affected by the disaster;l

Local authorities responsible for the collection andtreatment or disposal of solid wastes.

Local level administration
Local waste management organizations can benefit fromassistance provided in a disaster waste management
programme.

Administrators
Local authorities must often make decisions concerning future waste management in the disaster area. They
should be kept informed fully and wherever possible
involved in the decision-making.

Practitioners
In some places local government executes waste collection and in other places collection is done by a contractor.
In either case they must be engaged in DW management.

Regional administration
When there is a regional government, there are also
administrators at national and local levels. They should bedirectly involved and at a minimum receive DW reports.

DonorsDonors have a key role in any disaster waste management
programme, especially for allocation of funds and specifying minimum requirements for design and implementationof a disaster waste management projects. Donors should
be kept engaged and informed.

Communication and coordination
Effective communication and coordination with stake­holders is essential.
Key issues include:lSending consistent messages to support DW cleanup, for example using radio slots to inform on planned
clean-up campaigns or advise on specific types ofhazardous waste;lEnsuring national authorities have information that

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

15

Disaster Waste Management Guidelines

spells out who does what, which data/information has
been collated and the results of any waste assessment
and planning mission. There are often a large numberof NGOs and implementing agencies active in postdisaster works. The “Who does What Where” toolat http://humanitarianresponse.info/ can be helpful;andthat can be used in order to avoid duplication and ensure
coordination.

Supporting local authorities to provide clear and transparent information about cleanup progress, fu­
tureschedules etc. Information relating to the clearing ofstreets also gives the local community time to planfor the recovery of their homes and decide on emptying their buildings of damaged furnishings and items.

Ensuring that a comprehensive communications plan
exists as a part of a larger disaster waste management
plan. A GIS Information Management System should be
used to capture data and act as a central repository for
information about current status, work achieved and planned
next steps.

Implementing agencies must coordinate and communicate to streamline waste assessment missions andprojects and programmes. These guidelines are one tool

Further Resources to support implementation in thefield. Please contact the Environmental Emergencies Centre: www.eecentre.org and use the “contact us” button.

•

Developing information exchange and coordination mechanisms to facilitate dialogue and consensus
between government, civil society, cooperation agencies,
donors and leading institutions.

Healthcare waste is segregated and stored in clearly distinguished yellow container awaiting disposal. Source: UNEP

16

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Common risks by disaster waste hazard typeThe following generic risks from various waste types are useful to prioritize DW actions:Chemical risks3
The following chemical risks arise from some types of waste:l Direct dermal (skin) contact with contaminants such as pesticides, oils and acids
l Inhalation of:m Hazardous chemicals or products like pesticides
m Products of incomplete combustion including dioxins/furans, poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH),
volatilized heavy metals from uncontrolled waste burningm Dust, including small particulate matter (PM10)4 and asbestos fibres
l Ingestion of surface/groundwater contaminated by leachate from waste. This can contain high levels oforganics, ammonium, heavy metals, trace organics such as PCBs, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)l

Nuisance from odours arising from chemicals in the waste or decomposition of some waste types

Biological risks
The following are examples of biological risks:l Dermal (skin) contact/ingestion of faecal matter/body fluids
l Direct exposure to healthcare wastel Disease vectors from animals that congregate on or near waste:m Rat excreta – hanta virus, leptospirosis, plague, scrub typhus
m Mosquitoes – malaria, dengue fevermlFlies – bacterial infections

Nuisance from insects, birds and rodents which are attracted to and feed on waste

Physical riskslCollapse of buildings and other constructions as well as waste piles, such as large piles of rubble that havebeen pushed to the side of a roadCuts and abrasions from sharp objects in waste, for example where healthcare waste has been mixed withgeneral household waste
Uncontrolled fires in piles of wastel

Vehicle accidents from trucks picking up, transporting and dumping waste in urban or rural areas; andlNuisance from smoke plumes and/or wind or wave-blown litterll

Local environmental risks
The following can negatively affect the local surrounding environmentl Waste that contaminates soils, rendering it hazardous to humans and animals, and/or making it unsuitable for
agriculture
l Leachate from fluids passing through waste and subsequently contaminating waterl Landfill gas from decomposing organic waste, which can pose risks to humans and animalslInfestation of rodents and insects feeding on wastelWindblown and wave transported litter which can impact an area

A more comprehensive overview of risks with different chemicals can be found in reference “The Emergency
Response Guidebook (ERG2012) ” http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/canutec/guide-menu-227.htm
PM10 is used to describe particles with a size less than 10 micrometres.

3
4

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

17

Annexes
Annex I. Waste needs assessment - immediate and short term
actions
People in the affected area

Comments%ai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
e w
gu nl
id oa
el d
in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
ee do
ce cu
nt m
re en
.o t arg t

Estimate percentage

IDP camps

How many IDP camps are established?

Nos

Estimate percentage of population staying in
the camps%

How is waste management arranged?

Nos

Collection

Bins___ Street Pile____ Others - what_______

Treatment

Dumpsites___ Open burning___
Others - what_________________

Estimate the amount of IDP waste collected%

Immediate needs

Condition of buildings

Comments

Estimate total destruction as percentage%

Estimate intact buildings as percentage%

Which is the main construction material usedin the disaster area?

Concrete___ Bricks____ Board____ Tins_____

Estimate the total amount of rubble and debris
from buildings

m3

Square metres covered x height

Immediate needs

Av

Conditions of other infrastructure. Are:

Yes

No

Comments

Roads and streets functioning?

%

Water distribution functioning?

%

Waste water collection and drainage
functioning?

%

Land line telecommunications functioning?

%

Mobile telephones functioning?

%

Internet functioning?

%

Electricity distribution functioning?

%

If not, describe damage and debris potential inseparate sheet

Immediate needs

18

Continued...

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Annex I. Waste needs assessment - immediate and short term actions, continued
Hospitals and health care centers

Yes

No

Comments

Are hospitals and clinics functioning?
Is their waste being managed?

If yes go to healthcare sheet

Is there information about infectious waste?

If yes go to healthcare sheet

Is there information about other healthcare waste?
Are there temporary clinics/hospitals?

If yes go to healthcare sheetai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
e w
gu nl
id oa
el d
in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
ee do
ce cu
nt m
re en
.o t arg t

If so, many beds (capacity)do they have?
Is there any information about waste collection fromthe temporary hospitals/clinics

If yes go to healthcare sheet

Immediate needs

Industries and other commercial activities

Yes

No

Comments

What kind of industries were located in the disasterarea?

Give details on the industrial waste sheet!

Are they intact?

Is there any information about input chemicals?

Give details on the industrial waste sheet!

Is there any information about hazardous waste?

Give details on the industrial waste sheet!

Immediate needs

Municipal waste management

Yes

No

To what extent has it recovered and is it functioning?

Comments%

Are waste management vehicles intact?

Nos If not, describe the problems

Are employees alive and still in the area?
Is there fuel available for the vehicles?
Is the dumpsite intact?

If no: describe the problems

Are the access-roads to the dumpsite intact?

If no: describe the problems

Are there any temporary dumpsites?
If so, where are they located?

Are there any other waste treatment plants in thearea?

If yes: describe

Av

Immediate needs

Hazardous wasteYes

HW among industrial debris and rubbleNo

Be aware of the risk for asbestos!

HW from industries
Hazardous and electronic waste from telecom
Hazardous and electronic waste from electrical gridHazardous and electronic waste frommunicipal waste

Be aware of “under the sink items”

Prompt needs
Continued...

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Annex I. Waste needs assessment - immediate and short term actions, continued

Infrastructure debris assessment
Notes
Roads
Tar road debris
Dirt road debris
Streetsai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
e w
gu nl
id oa
el d
in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
ee do
ce cu
nt m
re en
.o t arg t

Tar street debris

Mud street debris

Water distribution system

Debris from water works
Pipes

Wastewater collection system

Debris from waste wastertreatment plants
Pipes

Other drainage systems

Debris from broken drains
Waste clogging the drains

Landline telecommunication

Poles

Dig down cableOpen hanging cable

Mobile telecommunication

Antenna masts

Electronic waste on downed masts

Av

OthersInternet

Dig down cableOpen hanging cable
Electricity gridPoles
Dig down cableOpen hanging cable
Transformers

Electronic waste, transformer oil
Continued...

20

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Annex I. Waste needs assessment - immediate and short term actions, continued

Healthcare waste assessment
Estimate from a few hospitals/clinics

Notes

Is the waste taken care of?
Segregation?

ai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
e w
gu nl
id oa
el d
in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
ee do
ce cu
nt m
re en
.o t arg tCollection?
Treatment?

Dumpsites____ Engineered dumpsites____ Incineration____Is there any information about infectious waste?

Segregation?
Collection?
Treatment?

Dumpsites____ Engineered dumpsites____ Incineration____Is there any information about other waste from
hospitals and clinics?

Segregation?
Collection?
Treatment?

Dumpsites____ Engineered dumpsites____ Incineration____

Are there any temporary clinics/hospitals?

Av

How many beds do they cover?
Estimate the generation ofhealthcare waste

Estimate the composition of the waste
Is there any information about waste collection
from the temporary hospitals/clinics
Segregation?
Collection?
Treatment?

Dumpsites____ Engineered dumpsites____ Incineration____Continued...

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Annex I. Waste needs assessment - immediate and short term actions, continued

Industrial waste assessment
This form is to map the most immediate facts about the industries. Fill in for all facilities for which you can gather
details.
The information will serve as indications for waste prioritization.
There might be fluids stored in tanks or oil drums. Such fluids should be considered hazardous until more is known.
Rubble from collapsed industries may be contaminated with hazardous material such as asbestos and chemicals.
Yes

No

Indication

Part ofdisaster waste

List

Name of the plant/equivalentai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
e w
gu nl
id oa
el d
in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
ee do
ce cu
nt m
re en
.o t arg t

Used raw material

Used energy sources
Products

Normal flow of waste

Composition

Known generation of hazardous waste

Source of disaster waste?

m3

Disaster rubble

m3

Name of the plant/equivalent

Used raw material

Used energy sources
Products

Normal flow of waste

Composition

Known generation of hazardous waste

Source of disaster waste?

m3

Disaster rubble

m3

Name of the plant/equivalent

Used raw material

Used energy sources
Products

Normal flow of waste

Composition

Av

Known generation of hazardous waste

Source of disaster waste?

m3

Disaster rubble

m3

Name of the plant/equivalent
Used raw material
Used energy sources
Products
Normal flow of waste
Composition
Known generation of hazardous waste

22

Source of disaster waste?

m3

Disaster rubble

m3

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Annex II. Waste hazard ranking toolThis table presents typical disaster waste streams with corresponding possible hazards and respective priorities
for immediate and short term actions as well as medium term actions.
Is it old waste,e.g. more than
one week?

Waste stream

Is the waste
close toresidential
areas?

Is the waste close
to streams, rivers
or other water
sources?

Ordinary domestic waste and waste from IDP camps and shelters
Food waste
Packaging materials
Excreta
Wastes from relief supplies
UN/military/NGO waste
DebrisConcrete/bricks
Household furnishings and belongings
Other wastes such as plastics, cardboard, paper
Timber
Cables, etc.
Soils and sediments
Bulky items
Hazardous materials and substances
Waste with potential hazardous properties
Hydrocarbons such as oil and fuelPaint, varnishes and solvents
Pesticides and fertilizers
Household cleaning products
Medical waste in debris
Healthcare risk waste
Healthcare waste (from clinics and hospitals - not considered as risk waste)
Other potential infectious waste
Food waste and packaging material etc.
Commercial and industrial waste
Commercial wastes
Industrial wastes
In post-conflict areas
Unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Landmines and ammunition within the debris
Military vehicles
Phosphorus and other weapon contamination

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

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Annex III. Waste-handling matrix
This matrix lists typical post-disaster waste streams and corresponding possible handling and management
options for both the immediate and short term actions (the first 8 weeks of disaster response) and the medium
term actions (2-6 months following the first phase).
Waste stream

Cash forwork

Transportation
options

Disposal options

Recycling

Reuse

Not during
immediateand short term
actions

No

No

No

Disposal at
temporary site for
future recycling if
uncontaminateddebris. Otherwise
disposal at dumpsite/
landfill to be used ascover material

Attempt tostore for future
recycling. If
not possible,
then limited
options forrecycling during
immediateand short term
actionsCan
extractbricks,steel etc.
for reuse

Mixed debris disposal
at dumpsite/landfill

Not during
immediateand short term
actions

Not inemergencyphase

If separated, reuse.
Otherwise dispose atdumpsite/landfill

Possible toseparate timber
for heating,cooking, shelterCan
extract for
heating,cooking,
shelter

Mixed debris disposal
at dumpsite/landfill

Not during
immediateand short term
actionsNo

Ordinary domestic waste and waste from IDP camps and shelters
Food waste
Packagingmaterials

Excreta

Waste from relief
supplies
UN/Military/NGO
waste

Manualcollection
possible

Wheel barrowoffload into skip
for truck haulage

Disposal atdumpsite or landfill
under controlled
management

Manualcollection notpossible, use
mechanicalmeans where
possibleUse appropriate
trucks if removal
is required

Disposal at sanitary
dumpsite/landfill
under controlled
management

Wheel barrowoffload into skip
for truck haulage

Disposal atdumpsite or landfill
under controlled
management
Disposal at sanitary
dumpsite/landfill
under controlled
management

Manualcollection
possible

DebrisConcrete/bricks

Manualcollection
possible
Householdfurnishings andbelongings
Wheel barrowor excavator/
bulldozer offload
into truck forhaulage

Other wastes
such plastics,
cardboard, paper
TimberManual sorting
possible

Cables etc.

Manual sorting
possible
Mechanicalmeans areoften mostappropriate but
can use manual

Soils andsediments

Bulky items

24

Mechanicalmeans mostappropriate

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Waste stream

Cash forwork

Transportation
options

Disposal options

Recycling

Reuse

Dispose atsanitary landfill
under controlled
management. If nocontrolled disposal
available, store
until sanitary landfill
available.

NoNo

Put in proper
drums, bins or othercontainer before
loading onto trucks
for haulage

Dispose atsanitary landfill
under controlled
management. If nocontrolled disposal
available, store
until sanitary landfill
available.

No

No

Excavator/bulldozer
offload into truck forhaulage

If hazardous, disposeof at sanitary
dumpsite/landfill.
Otherwise it canbe disposed of atcontrolled dumpsite/
landfill

No

No

Under controlled
measures byspecialists

N/A

N/A

N/A

Hazardous materials and substances
Heavy metal
contaminatedmaterials
Hydrocarbons
such as oil andfuel
Paint, varnishes
and solvents
Pesticides andfertilizers

Manualcollection
possible butwith PPEHouseholdcleaning
products

Put in proper
drums, bins or othercontainer before
loading onto trucks
for haulage

Medical waste in
the debris
Healthcare risk
waste

Healthcare waste (from clinics and hospitals - not considered as risk waste)
Other potential
infectious waste
Food waste
and packaging
material etc.

Manualcollection
possible butwith PPE

Commercial and industrial waste
Commercial
waste

Industrial waste

Mechanicalmeans mostappropriate,
can use manual

In post-conflict areas
Unexploded
Ordnance (UXO)
Landmines andammunition
within the debris
Military vehicles
Phosphorus andother weapon
contaminates

Handling byspecialists.
Incorporate
SOPs forwork wherethese may be
encountered

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

25

Annex IV. Developing temporary disposal sites

Information gathered during preliminary damage assessments should give a good indication of the types andamounts of debris handled. From this information local
authorities may be able to determine whether existing
recycling facilities and dumpsites/landfills are sufficient for
the expected volumes of debris.
If sufficient capacity is not available, local authorities must
make other plans including:
l

l

l

l

expanding existing recycling, processing anddisposal facilities to handle the increased demands;
hauling waste to intermediate sites and reducing theamounts of debris through recycling;
identifying a temporary storage area at a landfill or
vacant lot for recycling operations; andTemporary storage sites should be a last resort.
Time and money can be saved by taking materials
directly to recyclers /processors and paying fortransportation and labour only once.		

lNevertheless, sometimes temporary storage sites
are still required and can be located in or near theaffected area. The best way to select a temporarystorage site that incorporates environment, publichealth and other issues is to conduct a full Rapid
Environmental Impact Assessment (REA).

l

Consider setting up sites for specific materials
that do not threaten public health and safety, e.g.
concrete, bricks, metal, asphalt etc.

l

Start a public information programme immediately
to notify the public and contractors of the site, thematerials accepted, and the hours of operation.

lEnsure the site can hold rubble, natural debris
like trees, branches and palm leaves as well as
conventional waste.

Sites should:l26

be located away from potable water wells and rivers,
lakes, streams and drainage channels. If possible
work with national and local environmental agencies
to determine appropriate setback distances;l

not be located in a floodplain or wetland or on
agricultural land;lhave controls to mitigate storm water runoff, erosion,
fires and dust if possible;lbe free from obstructions such as power lines andpipelines;lhave limited access with only certain areas open to
the public;l

be located close to the affected area, but far enoughaway from residences, infrastructure, and businesses
that could be affected by site operations during therecovery period;lbe on public lands because approval for this use isgenerally easier to obtain. However private land may
be more convenient and logistically necessary; andlbe appropriate relative to the scale of debris. Large
equipment requires large areas for storage. Whenplanning for small scale equipment, more but
smaller sites are needed. Conveniently located sites
will reduce travel time when transferring debris toprocessing or management facilities and result inexpedited debris clean-up. Communities can also
use these sites to distribute reusable or recycled
products. As a rule of thumb, 400 000 square metresof land are needed to process one million cubic
metre of debris.

establishing recycling, processing mechanisms /facilities.

General considerationsllbe sufficient in size with appropriate topography andsoil type (if possible, work with national and local
environmental agencies to determine this);

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

Operational considerations
The condition of the temporary disposal sites should be
documented in print and photos prior to use. Dependingon the debris to be staged there, it is advisable to assess
the soil, groundwater and/or surface water at a proposed
staging area prior to receiving debris and to re-establish
pre-existing conditions.
The government agencies involved may be responsible for
returning these sites to their original condition. Therefore,
guidelines could be developed and established for the
return of property to the owners.
A typical depot site will include areas for: unloading andstoring hauled debris, a mobile or stationary processing

Suggested layout for a temporary disposal site

Concrete

BricksWooddebrisStones

Scrap
metal

Waste
to
dumpsite

Area reserved for recycling plantArea needed to maneuver
trucks, loaders andother vehicles working
in the area

Storage site
for incoming unprocessed debris

Gate
plant and storage for recycled material and waste to betransferred to permanent sites. If a storage area is provided
on site to accommodate hazardous waste, a suitable
operation organization should be organized.

Security

Incoming loads should be inspected to ensure materials
are handled properly and directed properly. Estimate
quantities of incoming materials based on type of haul
vehicle and capacity.

lEnsure sufficient skills of operators in charge ofhandling hazardous waste.

l

Cover areas with two layers of plastic sheeting,tarps, or a concrete pad.

l

Fence off area with T-posts and orange barricade
fencing.

l

If possible, surround fenced off-area with absorbent
booms and/or sandbags to absorb potential leaks
and prevent spills from seeping into the ground.

l

Use wooden pallets to raise collection bins off theground, which helps to determine if there are leaks.

lProvide adequate space for walking/carrying items
between pallets.

lSegregate containerized gases, liquids, or solids bymaterial type (e.g. corrosive waste, reactive waste),place each material type in a separate bin or barrel,
and label the bin or barrel appropriately.

lCover collection bins or barrels with plastic liners/lids
or cover the entire hazardous waste collection sitewith a tent to prevent water collecting in bins.

l

Place cylinders containing compressed gas uprightwith cap on and secured in place.

l

Provide sufficient fire extinguishers for the site incase fire breaks out. Four fire extinguishers per1000 square metres are recommended, placed at thecorners or in easily accessible locations.

All recoverable materials should be separated into major
categories such as concrete, bricks, stones, metals, green
waste, wood debris, white goods etc. Keep materials as
free from contamination as possible to increase reuse andrecycling potential.

General environmental, safety, and logisticalconsiderationslllAreas to be used to process vegetation debris do not
typically require groundwater monitoring, but should
be monitored for fires. Areas for mixed rubble,
or hazardous wastes may need more extensive
monitoring. Consult with the national authorities forrecommendations.
Removal of debris from the site in a timely manner.
Biodegradeable, mixed, harmful, and hazardous
waste should not be stored for extended periods.
Limit access to ensure that the site is secure. Some
types of waste that present higher levels of concern
should have additional storage controls and security
measures.

l

Evaluate traffic logistics on and around the storage
site.

l

Restrict noise disruptions to acceptable hours.

Consider the following safeguards for hazardous wastebulking sites:

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions
This may be the second assessment of the disaster waste situation. There is a need of details enough formaking a Disaster Waste Management Plan for the Recovery of the area affected. It is important to have a good
overview of the waste management situation, as well as presenting detail enough for planning.
Remember:ai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
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gu nl
id oa
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in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
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.o t arg t

This may be the second assessment of the disaster waste situation. There isa need of details enough for making a Disaster Waste Management Plan for
the Recovery of the area affected. It is important to have a good overview
of the waste management situation, as well as presenting detail enough forplanning.

Take photos of:

IDP camps and waste collection system

Regular waste collection systems, where possible

Overview pictures showing the conditions of the buildings and especiallytypical damaged buildings
Temporary and informal dumpsites as well as formal ones
Access roads to dump sites

Health care waste management if available
Hazardous waste management if available
Damage infrastructure if present

In your photos remember thefollowing:

Include a person, a car or something well known in the picture in order togive perspective of size
Mark all photos with GPS coordinates and photographer

Take GPS coordinates of atleast:

Waste Management sites
Damaged infrastructure
Damaged industries

Av

Pages 31-39 are forms to be reproduced and used one by one for each facility assessed.

28

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Continued...

Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued

Do people stay in the disaster area?

Comments

Estimate percentage%

IDP camps
How many IDP camps are established?

Nos

Estimate percentage of population staying in
the camps%

How is waste management arranged?
Bins___ Street pile____ Others - what____Treatment

Dumpsites___ Open burning___
Others - what____ai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
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id oa
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.o t arg tCollection

Is all waste collected?

If not, why and with which consequences

Estimate the amount of waste generated
in the IDP camps

Estimate the composition of the IDP waste

Volume%Biodegradables____ Plastic____ Metal____Glass____ Paper____ Inert____When this is filled in go to separate sheet on IDP camps

Condition of buildings (may be changed
since emergency phase)

Comments

What are the conditions of the buildings?

Estimate total destruction as percentage%

Estimate intact percentage%

Which is the main construction material usedin the disaster area?

Concrete____ Bricks____ Board____ Tins____Estimate the total amount of rubble anddebris from buildings

Alternative

Av

Conditions of other infrastructure.

Yes

No

m3

Square metres covered x heightm3

Calculations based on enclosed guidance
for rubble amounts from different kinds ofbuildings
Comments

Roads and streets functioning?
Water distribution functioning?

Waste water collection and drainage
functioning?
Land line telecommunications functioning?

If not, describe damage and debris potential inseparate sheet

Mobile telephones functioning?
Internet functioning?
Electricity distribution functioning?
When this is filled in go to separate sheet on infrastructureContinued...

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued
Hospitals and healthcare centres

Yes

No

Comments

Do hospitals and clinics function?
Is the waste taken care of?
Is there any information about
infectous waste?
Is there any information about otherclinical waste?

ai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
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in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
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nt m
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.o t arg t

Are there any temporary clinics/hospitals?
How many beds do they contain?

Is there any information about waste
collection from the temporary hospitals/
clinics?
Any arrangements for infectious waste?

For planning go to separate healthcare waste sheet

Industries and other commercial activities

Yes

No

Comments

What kind of industries were located in thedisaster area?

Details to be given on a separate page

Are they intact?

Is there any information about input
chemicals?

Details to be given on a separate page

Is there any indication of hazardous waste

Details to be given on a separate page

Municipal solid waste management

Yes

No

Comments

To what extent has it recovered andregained function?

%

Are the vehicles intact?

Nos

Describe the problems

Are the employee alive and still in the area?
Is there fuel available for the vehicles?
Is the dumpsite intact?

Av

Are access roads to the dumpsite intact?

Are there any temporary dumpsites?

If so, where are they located?
Are there any other waste treatment
plants in the area?

If yes, describe
For planning go to separate healthcare waste sheet
Continued...

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued

IDP camps
Name and location of the IDP camp:
Waste collection methods

Bins___ Street pile____ Others - what_________

Waste collection efficiency

Handcarts____ Ox-carts____ Open trucks____Compactors____%ai
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Waste to recycling
Metal

%

of available

Name of provider, who does the collection,
trade and processing

Plastics%

of available

Name of provider

Glass

%

of available

Name of provider

Paper

%

of available

Name of provider

Biodegradables%of available

Name of provider

Established dumpsite/landfills(s)

Tons/
day

Since then?

Temporary dumpsite/landfills(s)

Tons/
day

Since then?

Unauthorized dumpsite/
landfills(s)

Tons/
day

Since then?

Waste disposal

Yes

No

Composting/biogas production

Hazardous waste

Location, size, obvious environmental impact

Estimate m3 treated

Yes

No

Av

Separate collection?

Treatment?

Continued...

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued

Healthcare waste assessment
Notes
Name of the hospital/clinic/field hospital
Location
Tons/dayai
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Waste generation

Waste composition

Is the waste taken care of?

Segregation?

Tons/dayCollection?

Tons/day

Treatment?

Tons/day

Segregation?

Kg/dayCollection?

Kg/dayTreatment?

Kg/dayInfectious waste

Av

Other healthcare risk waste

Segregation?
Collection?
Treatment?

Is there a need of assistance regarding
infectious waste?

Comment

Is there a need of assistance regarding
other healthcare waste?

Comment
Continued...

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued

Infrastructure debris assessment
Notes
Roads
Tar road debris
Mud road debris
Additional comments

Tons
Tons

Recyclable?
Recyclable?
Coordinates, etc.

Tar street debris
Mud street debris
Additional comments

Tons
Tons

Recyclable?
Recyclable?
Coordinates, etc.

ai
DW labM le fon or
lin do
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gu nl
id oa
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in as
es a
-w ne
w xce
w. l
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nt m
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.o t arg tStreets

Water distribution system
Debris from water works
Chemicals in water works
Debris from water distribution system
Plastic pipes
Ceramic pipes
Iron pipes
Additional comments
Wastewater collection system
Debris from waste water treatment plants (WWTP)
Chemicals in the WWTP
Debris from waste water collection system
Plastic pipes
Ceramic piples
Iron pipes
Additional comments
Other drainage systems
Debris from broken drains
Waste clogging the drains
Additional comments

Tons
Tons

MetresMetresMetresCoordinates, etc.

Tons
Tons

MetresMetresMetresCoordinates, etc.

Tons
Tons

Coordinates, etc.

Landline telecommunication

Poles
Dig down cableOpen hanging cable
Additional comments

Nos
MetresMetresAntenna masts
Electronic waste on downed masts
OthersAdditional comments

Nos
Tons
Tons

Dig down cableOpen hanging cable
Additional comments

MetresMetresCoordinates, etc.

Av

Mobile telecommunication

Specify
Coordinates, etc.

Internet

Coordinates, etc.

Electricity gridPoles

If not already calculated in landline
telecommunication section, above

Dig down cableOpen hanging cable
Transformers

Electronic waste, transformer oil

Additional comments

Coordinates, etc.
Continued...

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued

Industrial waste assessment
This form is to map the most immediate facts about the industries, where quality is put ahead of quantity.
The information will serve as indications for waste prioritization, and will later be supplemented if needed.
Be aware that there might be fluids stored in tanks or oil drums, and that such liquids normally are regarded as
potentially hazardous waste until more is known.
Even sludges found in different places in the plant may be rearded as potentially hazardous waste.
Rubble from collapsed industries may, if nothing more is known, be understood as potentially contaminated withhazardous material such as asbestos and chemicals which could affect human health and the environment.
List

Commentsai
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.o t arg tName of the plant/equivalent

Used raw material

Used energy sources
Products

Normal flow of waste

AmountComposition

Hazardous waste

Treatment

If there is a special dumpsite forthe industrial waste it must be
assessed!

AmountIf nothing else: high,medium or low

Disaster waste

Composition

Hazardous waste

Name of the plant/equivalent

Used raw material

Used energy sources
Products

Normal flow of waste

Av

AmountI

Composition

Hazardous waste
Treatment

If there is a special dumpsite forthe industrial waste it must be
assessed!

AmountIf nothing else: high,medium or low

Disaster waste

Composition
Hazardous waste
Continued...

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Annex V. Waste needs assessment - medium term actions, continued

Conclusions: waste management needs
Comments
IDP camps
Waste collection
Waste treatment
Building rubble and debrisai
DW labM le fon or
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id oa
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in as
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nt m
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.o t arg t

Waste collection

Waste treatment

Infrastructure

Road and street rubble

Water distribution rubble

Waste water collection and drainage

RubbleTreatment chemicals

Landline telecom
Mobile telecome

Internet infrastructure

Electricity distribution grid
Healthcare waste

Genral healthcare waste

Wsste collection

Waste treatment

Healthcare risk waste

Av

Waste collection

Waste treatment

Industries and other commercial activities

Waste collection
Waste treatment
Municipal solid waste management
Waste collection
Waste treatment
Other waste treatment plants in the area

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Annex VI. Fundraising project template

The following is based on the Flash Appeal Templateand can be used to gather the information necessary to
produce a project according to donor guidelines (mosthave their own templates), or to be presented to a donor as
is. More specific information may be required dependingon the donor.
If you use this template to present the project, add a tableof contents, and a cover page with a smart title.

1.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (1 PAGE)

This is a summary of what you will write below. It may beeasier to write this last.
Brief summary of:

RESPONSE PLANS (1 PAGE)

This is the actual project, what you plan to do to bringabout a change, for which you are requesting funding. Be
as clear as possible.

3.1 Objectives
No more than two, should be specific and measurable.
Projects have two types of objectives:l

An overall objective which is broad. Ex. “To
reduce incidences of water/soil contamination in
Switzerland.”lSpecific objective which is narrow. Ex. “To build 3
medical waste incinerators in the vicinity of Geneva
Hospital by the year 2012.”lThis emergencylPriority needs and humanitarian/environmental
response plan

3.2 ActivitieslAmount of money needed in US$

You can have as many activities as are necessary to reachthe objectives set out in 3.1.

lTime span covered by this project (dates andnumber of days)

2.

CONTEXT AND HUMANITARIANCONSEQUENCES (1.5 PAGES)This is the background, explaining the situation as it is.
Gives donor a picture of what you want to change.

2.1 Context

List proposed activities which can be implemented within
the overall time span of the project. Remember to include
monitoring and final evaluation.

3.3 Expected impact and resultslInclude indicators and verifiable means todemonstrate measure your objectives later on.

lList any milestones or concrete/tangible deliverables(reports; built infrastructure; user/community
surveys. etc.)lWhat happened?

lWhere?

4.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (0.5 PAGE)l

What has happened since the crisis? (e.g.
information gathered, assessments done,government OK for international assistance)lMaximum 5 lines on how the response is being
coordinated and who is responsible within thegovernment and the UN. Remember to include therole of local population and community!

l

Table indicating the major humanitarian stakeholders(government, UN, Red Cross, NGOs) that are
responding to the crisis in affected regions, bysector. This may help to identify possible partners as
well.

2.2 Humanitarian consequences

36

3.

l

Who is most affected? E.g., specific community/group, gender, etc. Provide number of people if
possible.

lWhat are the needs as a direct and immediate resultof this crisis?

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

ANNEXES

5. PROJECT TABLES
For each project, complete the following table. Do not write more. Be concise and brief.

SECTOR (e.g. Environment)US$

1.1.1 Beneficiaries
Total:

Partners:

e.g. 837,500

Women:INSERT NAME OF
AGENCY (e.g. UNEP)

Children:
Project title:
Aim: [take text from
Section 3: Objectives]

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

37

Annex VII. Guidelines for closure of temporary disposal sites

Temporary disposal and processing sites should be used
only for short periods, on average 0-12 months. Temporary
disposal and processing sites can either be reinstated totheir original status or developed into a new function suchas a park, sports area or some other purpose. Sometimes
this can be done simply by removing machinery and processed debris and cleaning the site from debris residues
and litter. In other instances the site must be restored, forexample if the site was used as a park, sport fields etc
before it became a storage site. Closure and restoration ofsites must include sampling of soil and, if applicable, groundwater. A site visit should also be carried out prior to closure.
A restoration plan can be useful in ensuring appropriate
closure. It should address:l38

processing and removal of the remaining material
from the site;

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unitltransfer of all household waste and the like to theordinary landfill or dumpsite;lremoval and adequate treatment of all hazardous
waste that may have appeared on the site;lan environmental monitoring plan, including
the baseline monitored or estimated before use,
sampling points and time schedule for sampling,
testing for contamination etc.; andlrestoration of site to its original condition. If the site
is on private land, final restoration must be acceptedby the landowner.

Future liability for site contamination can be mitigated byhaving a baseline environmental assessment performed
before the disaster debris is deposited at the site.

Annex VIII. Exit strategies

INTRODUCTION
This outlines three exit strategies in disaster waste
management projects and programmes:lprivate sector handover;lpublic sector handover; andlpublic/private hybrid handover.

The final sub-section discusses the procedure for carrying
through a handover.

PRIVATE SECTOR HANDOVER
Potential mechanisms for handover to the private sector
include:lin trust, i.e. the beneficiary has to comply withcertain conditions on use of machinery. During
period of trust, the donor maintains overallownership and right to re-take machinery if
conditions are broken. Upon end of trust period, fullownership passes to the beneficiary; or,ldonor has the right to regain operational controlof the equipment at any time should any of therequirements not be met by the beneficiary;lincome generated from the equipment accrues tothe beneficiary; andlthe beneficiary is responsible for all operational costs
during the contract.

Option 2 – Bidding
The operations team with plant and equipment is intended
for sale as a ‘going operation’ where private companies
are invited to bid for the continued operations of the debris
management system for a set number of years. After thisperiod ownership can revert to the company.
For bidding procedures, the evaluation criteria can include:
price willing to pay, demonstration of a good businessplan, understanding of the market, plans for managementof the company.
In the past, bid documents included a requirement for thebidder to include the following for continued operations:bidding, i.e. private companies bid for themachinery, with conditions and minimum payment
being equal to the cost of import duties.

lmarketing plan;lbusiness plan;

Emphasis can be placed on a procedure that allows
donors to maintain ownership of the equipment until thebeneficiary has proven its professionalism and positive
intent.

loperations plan;lmaintenance plan; andOption 1 – In Trust with Management contractlfinancing plan.

The current (or new management) team of the project
establishes a company that signs a management contract
with the donor for operations and maintenance of theequipment. This allows the donor to maintain ownershipof the equipment while the beneficiary (new company)
operates the equipment. A community-based organization
can also be set up for this purpose and continue operations
as a non-for profit organization.

This option allows for a financial return to the donor for the
project implemented, where these funds can then be used
to supervise and monitor the successful company in theircontinued operations of the debris management system,or the funds can be used for subsequent environmental
programmes.

The contract would typically stipulate that the beneficiarymust comply with requirements including:If the donor wishes to handover debris management
operations to a public sector organization such an
office of public works, the handover procedure can be
simplified. Focus should be on ensuring that the public
sector organization has the required skills and capacity tocontinue operations. Supplementary training and support
may be required.

llequipment must only be used for those purposes
described in the contract;lequipment is to be maintained in accordance withthe manufacturer’s guidelines;

Public sector handover

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ANNEXES

Public / private hybrid handoverThis option incorporates private and public sector options
to assist the public sector of the affected community
in rehabilitating services and supporting economic
development.
Handover is to a private company that is obliged to provide
services to the public sector. Spare capacity after thefulfilment of such obligations can be used by the recipientorganization to perform commercial works for a profit.
Financial contributions are expected from the public sector
to cover running costs.
Alternatively, a diminishing service contract starting at
100% service to the identified public body, and gradually
decreasing to 0% over 12 to 18 months, can be considered.
Such a management contract is similar to that for private
handover, with the addition of public sector obligations.
With this option, the service contract is to be included in
the tender documents for the selection of new organization,
thus making the public sector service contract open to
public tendering.

Procedures for handover
The first step in handover procedures is to describe theplant and equipment to be handed over. A valuation of
the plant and equipment may be needed. This should take
into account custom duties, excise tax or VAT on material
brought into the country by/for the donor.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between thedonor and the recipient country’s relevant Government
Ministry/Department is often required. This is one of themore complicated actions in the handover procedure.

40

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Annex IX. Terminology

These guidelines follow ISWA’s 1000 terms in solid waste
management as far as possible. However, some terms havebeen modified as there are differences between ‘normal’ solid
waste management and disaster waste management. Additional
disaster waste terminology has been introduced that is not in
ISWA’s 1000 terms. The following overarching terms have beenused in these guidelines.
Clinical waste – see healthcare waste. These guidelines follow
the World Health Organization (WHO) terminology.
Compost is a rich, fertile soil enhancement material produced
from food and garden waste which has undergone a compostingprocess, typically microbial degradation in presence of oxygen
and at temperatures between 35°c and 70°c.
Conflict relates to armed hostilities between two or more factions
which lead to damage to both the built environment as well as
facilities, systems and organizational set-ups.
Debris is a mixture of building waste and rubble typically arisingfrom damaged buildings and their demolition. This waste stream
can include natural materials such as clay and mud, trees,branches, bushes, etc.
Disaster waste is the waste that is generated by the impact of
a disaster, both as a direct effect of the disaster as well as in the
post-disaster phase as a result of poor waste management.
Disaster waste management is the sorting, collection, handling,transportation and treatment (recovery as well as disposal) of
disaster waste.
Disaster waste management planning is the process bywhich a plan for the management of the disaster waste isdeveloped, through the different phases of relief and recovery.
The process consists of: determining the appropriate response
and recovery strategies to be implemented after a disaster(based on assessments of vulnerability); identifying and agreeing
responsibility for the implementation of strategies; preparing
the management structure required to implement the plan withresource requirements, and gaining the approval for the disaster
waste management plan developed.
Disposal site – dee dumpsite, engineered dumpsite, landfill andtemporary disposal site.
Dumpsite is an uncontrolled disposal site for waste, wheregas emissions, liquid leakage and solids contamination of thesurrounding environment is not controlled or managed. See also
Engineered Dumpsite.
Environment is defined by the Sphere Standards as “‘thephysical, chemical and biological surroundings in which disasteraffected and local communities live and develop their livelihoods.
It provides the natural resources that sustain individuals, anddetermines the quality of the surroundings in which they live.”
Emergencies are situations that arise out of disasters in which
the affected community’s ability to cope has been overwhelmed,
and where rapid and effective action is required to prevent further
loss of life and livelihood.
Engineered dumpsite is a dumpsite where there is a degreeof technical control such as fencing of the site with a gate tocontrol what wastes are disposed of, one or several bulldozers
or tractors are employed to move and compact the waste,ditches for leachate collection have been dug and where special
arrangements in place for the disposal of infectious and/or
hazardous waste. See also Landfill.
Hazardous waste is waste that has physical, chemical, or
biological characteristics such that it requires special handlingand disposal procedures to avoid risk to health, adverse
environmental effects or both. “Hazardous” relates to the situationand circumstances as well as the properties of waste materials.
Typical characteristics include: oxidizing, explosive, flammable,
irritant, corrosive, toxic, ecotoxic, carcinogenic, infectious, toxic for
reproduction and/or mutagenic. It is noted that toxic wastes may
produce toxic gases when in contact with water, air or acid which
can subsequently produce hazardous substances after disposal.
Healthcare waste is a term often used for clinical waste or
hospital waste. The World Health Organization (WHO) uses 10
categories of healthcare waste. The risk part of healthcare waste
is normally a minor part of this waste stream. The other partsof healthcare waste (e.g. food waste and packaging waste fromwards and staff, ashes and rubble etc) can, if properly segregated,
be managed similar to ordinary household waste.
Healthcare risk waste is the hazardous part of healthcare waste
and contains infectious agents, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals or pharmaceuticals, genotoxic or radioactive substances
and anatomical waste. This waste needs special attention and­treatment.
Hospital waste is waste from hospitals and similar establishments,
see Healthcare waste above.
Incinerator is a device wherein waste can be burned undercontrolled circumstances in terms of temperature, turbulence,
retention time and oxygen supply. Incinerators are commonlyused for destruction of infectious waste and, with advanced fluegas treatment, hazardous waste.
Landfill is a controlled disposal site for waste, where all emissionsof gases, liquids and solid materials are controlled and not allowed
to contaminate the surrounding environment.
Packaging waste is packaging materials such as cardboard,
corrugated cardboard, glass, tins, plastic bags and other soft
plastics, plastic bottles and other harder plastics. Most typesof packaging waste, with a few exceptions, are attractive to therecycling market.
Resilience is a community’s ability to withstand the damage
caused by emergencies and disasters; it is a function of the various
factors that allow a community to recover from emergencies.
Rubble is waste from damaged and destroyed buildings andinfrastructure, and can include wastes from (re)construction
works.
Temporary disposal site is a place where disaster waste issafely placed, stored and processed for a pre-defined period
after a disaster. The site would be selected following a rapid
environmental assessment, and the emissions should be
minimized in relation to appropriate and available technology.
Vulnerability is the degree to which a population or an individualis unable to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from theimpacts of disaster.

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Annex X. Abbreviations and Acronymns

42

BCPR

Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery of UNDP

DRR

Disaster Risk Reduction

DW

Disaster Waste

DWM

Disaster Waste Management

DWMCP

Disaster Waste Management Contingency Plan

DWR

Disaster Waste Recovery

ER

Early Recovery

FEAT

Flash Environmental Assessment Tool

GIS

Geographic Information System

HCW

Healthcare Waste

HIT

Hazards Identification Tool (carried out by JEU)

IASC

Inter-Agency Standing Committee

IDP

Internally Displaced Persons

ISWA

International Solid Waste Association

JEU

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

LEMA

Local Emergency Management Agency

MSB

Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)

NEMA

National Emergency Management Agency

OCHA

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

PAHO

Pan American Health Organization

PCB

Polychlorinated biphenyl

PCDMB

Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch of UNEPPDNA

Post Disaster Need Assessment

RF

Recovery Framework

SW

Solid Waste

SWM

Solid Waste Management

UNDAC

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

UNEP

United Nations Environment Program

UNICEFThe United Nations Children’s Fund

WASH

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

WHO

World Health Organization

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSEMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SECTION

Disaster Waste
Management Guidelines

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
www.unocha.org/unep
www.eecentre.org
ochaunep@un.org
MSB - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
Coordination and Operations Department
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SwedenTel. +46 771 240 240
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