Environmental and social management plan : establishment of island waste resource management centre with aerobic technology using composting machine at Guraidhoo, Thaa Atoll

Abstract

Guraidhoo is one of the 13 inhabited islands in Thaa atoll in the central Maldives. Similar to almost all island of Maldives, the island is vulnerable to environmental and economic development variables such as rising sea level, coastal erosion, pollution/depletion of groundwater and unmanaged waste. At present waste is being disposed to a site on the southern side of the island (on reclaimed land area). Management of the site and cleaning of public areas have been contracted out to an individual party. All waste except kitchen waste is disposed at the area and burnt. Kitchen waste is disposed at the shoreline around the island. Hence, the Ministry of Environment, being the proponent of the project, through the World Bank funded Maldives Clean Environment Project (MCEP), intends to establish a full-fledged Island Waste Resource Management Centre (IWRMC) and facilitate piloting of in-vessel composting in Guraidhoo based on the findings of the technical and financial feasibility study for establishing a regional solid waste management system in Zone 4 & 5, phase 1 of which was completed in the last quarter of 2019. The project will include construction of new infrastructure inclusive of a mechanical composting area. Once the infrastructure is in place, an Organic Waste Converter (OWC) machine will be set up at the facility to facilitate mechanical composting of the waste using aerobic technology. Upon completion of the project, the operations of the facility will be handed over to the Island Council. Training needs for the proper operation of the facility will be identified through the assessment and will also be incorporated into the report.