1. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN GAZA STRIP
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Dr. Abdul-Karim Jouda
UNRWA-Gaza

2. SOLID WASTE Definition. Why to manage solid waste?
Who is doing what in Gaza Strip.

4. 2. QUANTITIES (2007) Gaza North : 207 tonne/day
Gaza City: 617 tonne/day
Deir al-Balah: 129 tonne/day
Khan Younis: 143 tonne/day
Rafah: 130 tonne/day
TOTAL: 1,226 tonne/day
Volume: 907 m3/day
Required Area:17,500 m2/year
1kg/capita/day

5. 3. Equipment (Crane Truck and Tractors).

6. 4. Solid Waste Disposal: GAZA CONTROLLED LANDFILL
Serves Governorates of Gaza & North Gaza
DEIR AL BALAH SANITARY LANDFILL
Serves Governorates of Deir Al-Balah & Khan Younis
RAFAH CONTROLLED LANDFILL Serves Governorate of Rafah

7. 5. EXISTING LANDFILLS IN GAZA-STRIP
Deir El Balah
Rafah
Volume (m3)
2‘000‘000
800‘000
320‘000
Start
1987
1997
Expected
Lifespan (years) 22 13 12
New landfill required in
2009
2010

8. 6. WASTE COMPOSITION & RECYCLING
Paper/Cardboard
Metals 3%
Others 5%
Glass 6% 8%
Plastic
CURRENTLY: Promotion of recycling initiatives
PLASTIC MATERIALS ARE COLLECTED BY SCAVENGERS TO BE SOLD TO LOCAL FACTORIES THAT SHREDS, WASHES, AND PILES PLASTICS.
Organic Material
Plastic
70%
PAPER IS COLLECTED BY PRIVATE PAPER COMPANY
RECYCLING
STEEL IS COLLECTED AND SENT TO ISRAEL FOR RECYCLING
Source: UNEP Desk Study, 2002

9. What are the
Problems?

10. Problems of garbage collection process
First – Containers:
Burning refuse inside containers.
Lack of cleanliness around containers.
Lack of maintenance of containers.
Steeling and selling some refuse containers as scrap.
Second – Vehicles:
Fleets are becoming old.
No standby vehicles.
Frequent breakdown of vehicles due to the use of rough roads.

11. Problems of Land fills :
Limited life span and scarcity of land.
The close proximity of landfill sites to the border with Israel.
Uncontrolled fires and damages by IDF.
Sieving plant of the Middle Area is not working because of the lack of coordination with the Israeli side

12. Problems due to the closure
Shortage or absence of spare parts and other supplies.
Specialists and technicians were unable to access Gaza.
Shortage of fuel
Donor funding problems.
Payment of salaries.

13. 4. Waste Disposal / treatment
Absence of comprehensive hazardous and clinical waste management system.
Absence of alternate disposal options.
Land filling is the main option.

14. What are the
Solutions?

15. 1. DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Institutional development.
Sharing common database for decision making.
Contingency planning for emergencies
Private sector involvement.
Support extension of Solid waste councils.
Standardization of equipment.

16. 2. PREREQUISITES FOR DEVELOPMENT
Removing all obstacles to humanitarian access and enhancing cross-boarder cooperation.
Applying appropriate technologies.
Ensuring adequate and sustainable flow of financial and technical assistance by the international community
Coordination of international aid efforts within major donors.

17. 3. MEETING SWM INVESTMENT NEEDS
Support projects for segregation, recycling and composting of solid waste.
Support projects for mechanization of solid waste collection and disposal
Support projects for hazardous and medical waste management
Support the construction of high capacity incinerators to stop open burning and reduce the number of disposal sites

18. 4. ENHANCING COOPERATION
Cooperation among municipalities, SWMC’s, PA departments and UNRWA.
Partnership with donors
Community involvement.

19. 5. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS How to improve willingness to pay.
Cost recovery.
Improving the work environment of personnel.