Sustainable waste management for the future
Waste management is a sector in which certain countries fall behind when compared to northwestern European countries. The problems to solve are many and the need to do so is urgent. Furthermore it is important to tend to these problems with minimal environmental and human risks. Therefore, Work package 4 (WP4) pinpointed economic sustainability criteria of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) systems and developed indicators to quantify economic performance of those systems. The time frame that was set is approximately 50 to 60 years operating according to the notion of the City Council as the main decision maker. However additional viewpoints can also be taken into account with regard to social, environmental and economic concerns. The objectives of the municipal MSWM system may include citizen satisfaction, environmental protection and waste reduction as well as lessening social unrest and reducing citizen's fees. Economic sustainability with the least expensive waste management system for all interested parties over the complete operation period is the overall goal of the project. The outcome of the project may also be utilised for teaching students of waste management. Deliverables are available to the public free of charge via a website that contains information about objectives and progress. A handbook will have the final project results available in English, Greek, Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian.
