Waste sorting at the source of generation is fundamental to any efficient waste management cycle, and in the eyes of waste management experts is an indispensable part of handling refuse. So why Iran has not yet started such a basic process remains an unanswered question.
It is quite obvious that the primary natural reserves are going to end sooner or later, so the future belongs to those who know how to regenerate. Also, going on with the current trend of supply and demand, in the next 15-20 years, Iran's oil output would be only sufficient to meet domestic needs; and then, there will not be any excess crude to sell abroad, while this estimate is also an optimistic time frame.
A Case in Point
The sad truth is, if Iran and Germany are compared, waste generation per capita is higher in the latter; nonetheless, in Germany, almost everything is recovered and regenerated.
In contrast, in Iran there has not been any effective plan or the required will for such activities. In other words, if one looks at how Iranian authorities have dealt with air pollution or the pressing challenge of water scarcity, they can realize environmental issues are not among top priorities or concerns and that there is always a habit of taking actions right at the crunch time.
Casting a glance on the detailed data provided by Amin Sadrnejad, international affairs manager at Association of Iran Recycling Industries (AIRI), indicates that Germany, as a developed country, annually generates 627 kg of municipal solid waste per capita.
"Germany regenerates some 66% of the produced waste, via incineration [32.5%] and other methods," Sadrnejad told Financial Tribune, pointing to his recent study.
Landfilling, which is not a recommended technique environmentally speaking, comprises only 1.5% of waste processing in Germany, a country that is comparable to Iran in terms of population (Germany and Iran have respectively 83 and 81 million populations).
Furthermore, Sadrnejad said Italy with a population of 60 million regenerates almost 45% of its produced solid waste (annually 497 kg per capita). Incineration rate is 24.8% and landfilling rate stands at 18% in the country.
He further said the data regarding Iran's waste management is not promising at all, since the country produces some 290 kg of solid waste annually and regenerates a meager amount of 9%.
"Adding to the catastrophe, over 91% of waste throughout the country is dumped in landfills," the expert said.
Solutions
The Association of Iran Recycling Industries offered some solutions about three years ago. It took several weeks of study and research on waste management policies in developed countries, as well as dozens of meetings and discussions with experts, recyclers and officials with the Department of Environment, municipalities and the government.
AIRI is upbeat that waste management in Iran will experience improvements on the back of a number of measures and incentives that can help encourage recycling, private investment and sustainable development.
Providing total tax exemptions, which means zero tax for recyclers, increasing the recycling cost of any product from 0.05% to 0.5% of its price and creating a transparent market for waste transactions are the proposed solutions to curb the growing problem.
Impact of Recycling
According to the official, if the solid waste produced in Iran goes though recycling, it would significantly contribute to efforts to protect the environment and improve the employment rate and consequently the economy.
"Producing compost and organic fertilizers through food and bio-waste recycling prevents more than 85% of soil loss on erosive areas and creates 25,000 jobs in the country," Sadrnejad emphasized. Ferrous metal and polymer recycling as well as vehicle dismantling will also result in energy savings of up to 90% compared to their production.
Waste Management Hierarchy
Throughout the world, waste management goes through a defined hierarchy. Waste prevention is the first stage, also the cheapest and easiest way of tacking the waste problem.
Next, it comes the separation at source, which will be done with merely filling the cities with different color trashcans.
Afterwards, schedules are drawn up to collect particular wastes throughout cities.
Meanwhile, sorting, processing and distribution of waste come before recycling.
For recycling, the key is to define a clear policy regime. However, in Iran a legislative vertigo has become a major hindrance to formulating and enforcing well-thought-out policies.
After recycling stage, there comes incineration and waste to energy conversion.
However, converting the waste to energy, even in cleanest furnaces that filter all emissions and residues (from ashes to heavy metal sediments), are still a costly way to generate energy from a fuel with different components, which mostly have low heat values.
Additionally, incineration plants and landfills are the last two stages in waste management cycle, utilized only when something is not recyclable.
Waste management cycle is not only an economic and environmental-friendly process but also has socio-cultural aspects, which operates when all the actors play their roles as a member of a team.
Manifestly, environmental concerns should be everyone's business, and recycling growth is a win-win situation for all.
