Environmental and social code of practice : construction of a mechanical composting building at the existing IWRMC at Magoodhoo, Faafu Atoll

Abstract

Magoodhoo is one of the 5 inhabited islands of Faafu Atoll and is located on the southeastern side of the peripheral reef of the atoll. Construction work of the Island Waste Management Centre (IWMC) of Magoodhoo was commenced in 3rd quarter of 2018. However, due to non-performance issues of the contractor, the contract was terminated in 2019 with 95% being completed. Currently the center is not used yet, and waste is collected and managed at the open area adjacent to the site. Initially planned operations for the IWMC involved sorting of the collected waste which had already been segregated at household level into compostable and non-compostable waste. The non-compostable inorganic waste would be compacted / crushed / shredded. The compostable waste would be transferred to the compost slab constructed at the site, where windrows-based composting will be undertaken. However, based on the recommendations provided in feasibility study for the establishment of a regional solid waste management system in Zone 4 & 5, it was decided that mechanical composting is the most feasible technology for treating organic waste generated in F. Magoodhoo. Hence, the Ministry of Environment, through the World Bank funded Maldives Clean Environment Project (MCEP) intends to pilot in-vessel composting, whereby the existing compost slab will be modified slightly to cater for the installation of a composting machine. The proposed project involves enclosure of the existing compost slab area and undertaking the required utility connections to the structure. Once this is completed, an organic waste converter machine will be installed at the area to undertake mechanical composting of organic waste through an aerobic system.