Environmental Issues

Economic benefits of the project
During the construction of the solid waste treatment plant, there will be employment opportunities for both professionals and unskilled workers. Several workers including casual labourers, plumbers and engineers are expected to work during the construction phase of the project. With labour intensive construction technologies, the project will provide employment for youths and also support to the Governments initiative on creation of jobs (Angerer, Heinzow, Reimann,  Lehnert, 2000). During the operational phase of the project, the facility will also be a source of employment to a number of people who will be engaged in collection, processing and disposal of wastes.

Through improved collection of solid wastes, recycling will be promoted. This will lead to the development of industries that will be involved in utilization of the recycled materials (Reid,  2010). In these industries, it is anticipated that there will be low cost of production and increase in returns since the production materials will be readily available as recyclables. These industries will economically empower a great number of people through the creation of employment. The gains from selling of the recycled materials to the industries will be ploughed back and used in the operation and maintenance of solid waste treatment plant (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2009, Municipal Waste Management).

Overall, this project once implemented will reduce the uncontrolled dumping of wastes which often lead to wastage of materials that can be of high economic importance when recycled. A number of open dump sites will be rehabilitated for other economically viable projects which can lead to generation of incomes (Barbone, Stanta,  Lagazio, 1996).

2.0     Estimated cost of the project
The solid waste treatment plant which will be in the form of a sanitary landfill is estimated to cost  1,818,000. This includes the costs for detailed design of the treatment plant, site surveys and clearances, environmental impact assessment consultancy services, earth works, cell construction works, operation and maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, EIA licensing fees (Statutory Instruments, 2004). The cost break down for the treatment plant is as shown in Table 1.

Table  SEQ Table  ARABIC 1      Estimated cost of the project
COMPONENTESTIMATED COST ()Detailed design of the treatment plant  20,000Site surveys and clearances50,000Environmental Impact  Assessment ( EIA)  consultancy services 100,000Earth works 200,000Cell construction works 400,000Gas flare chambers, bio-filters  and support  facilities 200,000Operation and maintenance costs250,000Monitoring and evaluation costs 200,000Engineering consultancy services380,000Sub Total Costs1,800,000EIA licensing fees (1) 18,000GRAND TOTAL COSTS 1,818,0003.0     The need of the project

The overall objective of solid waste management is to protect the environment and human health through the proper management of wastes (Reid,  2010). The construction of a solid waste treatment plant is primarily intended to

Ensure proper management of solid waste that aim at reducing  any adverse impacts on the  public health and environment

Promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of solid wastes in environmentally sustainable manner (Statutory Instruments, 2004)
Reduce gaseous emissions to the atmosphere and enhance proper handling of leachate from the solid wastes and   

To protect against the undesirable impacts of uncontrolled waste disposal by ensuring orderly collection, processing and disposal (The Environment  Agency, 2010).

4.0     Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project
The objective of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is to assess the proposed project with regard to the impacts on the environment, public health and safety (William,  Robinson, 1993). Thus, an EIA is a method of predicting the anticipated positive and negative impacts of the proposed project and determination of mitigation measures for the adverse negative impacts.

In the UK, environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations of 1999 are implemented in the legislations through the Town and Country Planning Assessment of Environmental Effects. The directive requires that all types of developments that are likely to have significant environmental impacts on the environment be subjected to the EIA process (Bagchi,  Amalendu, 1990). The EIA study for this construction project involved the determination of environmental impacts and their mitigation measures, desk review of Government environmental regulations, evaluation of project alternatives and comparison of their environmental impacts. The topics covered under the EIA study are presented in the following sections (The Environment  Agency, 2010)

4.1    The likely environmental impacts of the project
The construction of a solid waste treatment plant requires development of various infrastructural works inform of access roads, site clearance and construction. This works will have significant environmental and social impacts (Dempsey,  Oppelt, 1993). The anticipated environmental impacts and their mitigation measures have been discussed in the following two phases of the project

Construction phase and Operation phase.
4.1.1    Impacts during project construction phase
4.1.1.1    Generation of noise
During the construction of the solid waste treatment plant, potential noise production will be due to the construction machinery during excavation works and delivery of materials to the project site.  Generation of noise would impact negatively on the construction workers and the local people. In order to mitigate the generation of noise, there would be the need for the project constructor to use the best available practices on-site to minimize occupational noise (UK Trade  Investment, 2009). The construction workers should also be provided with personal protective equipment such as the ear muffs.   

4.1.1.2     Dust emissions
The transport of construction materials, excavations and earthworks will lead to the emission of dust.  Dust is a form of airborne particulate matter and would negatively impact on the health of the construction workers and the local people within the proximity of the construction works. This would lead to respiratory problems and visual impairment. The generation of dust during the construction process would also interfere with traffic movement (The Environment  Agency, 2010).
In order to mitigate this impact, the project contractor will be required to ensure that excavation, handling and transportation of erodible materials be avoided during high windy conditions or when observable dust plume is present. Access roads and active construction sites which emit a lot of dust should be sprinkled with water on regular basis to keep off the dust.

4.1.1.3     Construction wastes
The generations of construction wastes will interferer with the aesthetic status and physical setting of the project area. Poor disposal of these wastes would result to pest breeding, pollution of water sources and informal recycling ((William,  Robinson, 1993).). Some of these wastes can cause physical injuries to the construction workers if not well managed (Bagchi,  Amalendu, 1990).
The project contractor will be required to reduce generation of wastes and also promote reuse and recycling. Any generated wastes should be properly handled and disposed off in a manner that is acceptable to the Environmental protection Act, 1990.

4.1.1.4     Loss of biodiversity
The construction of the solid waste treatment plant would lead to the loss and destruction of flora and fauna in the project area during exaction works and movement of machinery. It is anticipated that there will be changes in abiotic conditions, loss of endangered species and habitat fragmentation. Lower class animals and the insecta family will be highly affected in the process (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2009, Municipal Waste Management). 
During the construction phase, there will be need to restrict machinery movement in the project area in order to minimize disturbance of flora and fauna. Once construction works are completed, there will be need to replant the lost vegetation.  

4.1.1.5     Workers accidents and injuries during construction 
It is anticipated that a number of construction workers are most likely to encounter injuries and hazards as construction works unavoidably expose workers to occupational health and safety risks. This risk of accidents and injuries can result from accidental falls, injuries from hand tools, poor handling of construction machinery and equipment usage (Mroszczyk, 2008). This impact on construction workers can be mitigated through the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment and safe and health operating environment for the construction workers. The workers should be trained on safe working practices and the need to use personal protective equipment. The project contractor should ensure that all equipment and machinery are tested for their safety before usage (Mroszczyk, 2008).

There will be need to monitor and report any occurrences of accidents and injuries during the construction process.

4.1.1.6    Changes in soil properties
Construction works will involve the use of heavy equipment and machinery for transportation, earth works and site clearances. This will lead to compaction of soils and thus alteration of soil structure and increase in soil bulk density. There will be poor infiltration rates in the soils and this will lead to increased run offs in the project area (UK Trade  Investment 2009, Information Sheet on Environmental Regulations in the UK).

The changes in soil properties can be mitigated by restricting earthworks to that land that is required for the works without necessarily disturbing adjacent land. The excavation works should be carried out during the dry spell to prevent soil erosion and compaction. Soil compaction and infiltration tests should be carried out in order to determine those areas that require soil breaking once construction works are completed.   

4.1.2    Impacts during project operation phase
4.1.2.1    Soil and water pollution
During the operation phase of the project, poor compost management practices would result to pollution of soil and water. Untreated leachate from landfills will pollute the surface and ground water resources and result into detrimental impacts on the ecosystem. Accidental leakages of used oil and chemicals would lead to the pollution of soil and water. The use of premature compost as organic manure will lead to addition of acidification of soil due to fermentation process. The increase in soil acidity would interfere with plant growth and uptake of minerals. Acids in the soils will interfere with the availability of important minerals required by plants. 

Best compost management practices should be employed during the disposal of biodegradable wastes to the treatment plant. Solid wastes should be thoroughly sorted before disposal in order to get rid of any toxic materials from finding their way into the compost (The Environment  Agency, 2010). The leachate from the landfill should be treated before discharging to the receiving water bodies and soils.  Encourage the use of mature compost in order to avoid further fermentation that would lead to increase in acidity levels in soil. 

4.1.2.2    Emission of noxious odours and gases
The emission of noxious odors from the solid waste treatment plant during the operational phase will lead to significant air pollution and human health impacts. The odors will originate from collection, transport, sorting and disposal of solid waste in the treatment plant. During transportation and sorting of wastes, gaseous fumes will be emitted from the waste delivery trucks and processing equipment. These gaseous fumes will be inform of methane, nitrogen dioxides and other forms of green house gases that contributes to global warming. Noxious odours and gas emissions will also cause health impacts to the workers and local people (Brereton, 1996).

In order to mitigate this impact, the waste delivery trucks should be kept in good working conditions so that they reduce the emission of gaseous fumes that can have detrimental impacts on public health and the environment.

The landfill should also be constructed to acceptable engineering standards and fitted with gas collectors and bio-filters that can reduce release of odors from the decomposing wastes.

4.1.2.3    Occupational health risks  
The anticipated occupational health risks include physical injuries and accidents while handling of solid wastes and operation of plant machinery. Other impacts will be inhalation of gaseous fumes during collection and processing of solid wastes (Mroszczyk, 2008). The mitigation of these impacts will involve provision of personal protective equipment to the employees who handle solid wastes. The employees should be trained on best solid waste handling practices that aim at safe handling and reduction of injuries while using different machinery and equipment while collecting, sorting and feeding of the wastes to the treatment plant. There should be a crisis management team that will handle and administer First Aid to the injured employees (Mroszczyk, 2008). The team should be trained on basic First Aid skills on regularly.

4.2    Government regulations
4.2.1    Framework for UK Government Environmental Regulations
The Department for the Environment, food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for protecting the environment which is the main key focus of the UK Government.  The Government has devoted to meet the Global targets that aim to reduce the environment impacts, including   the reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions by 80 by the year 2050. The government has a specific target of recovering 74 of the packaging wastes by the end of 2010 (UK Trade  Investment 2009).
The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) is a competent body that has been established in the United Kingdom to promote best practice standards in environmental management. Their main focus is on promotion of sustainable development and capacity building of professionals in the environmental field.

4.2.2    UK EIA Regulations of 1999 (SI 1999 No. 293)
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations are implemented in the Governments legislations through the Town and Country Planning Assessment of Environmental Effects. The directive requires that all types of developments that are likely to have significant environmental impacts on the environment be subjected to the EIA process. In the Part IV of the EIA regulations, there will be no implementation of a project that is likely to have a negative environmental impact unless an environmental impact assessment has been concluded and agreed in accordance with the provided regulations.

4.2.3    UK Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) of 2004
The new Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) of 2004 came into force in January 1, 2005. The Regulations gives a statutory right to access environmental information held in the public authorities and other bodies. The laid regulations in the EC Directive 20034EC and in the Aarhus convention bring the Government into line with the international requirements for public access to environmental information. 

This right to access environmental information is important in achieving sustainable environmental management though the promotion of transparency within the Government authorities.
 
4.2.3    General Health and Safety Regulations
The regulations that are applicable to the work places are as follows
Noise at Work Regulations of 1989 Requires employers to take action in order to protect the employees from hearing damages. This regulation will be applicable during the construction and the contractor will be required to provide ear muffs to protect employees from exposure to unacceptable noise levels (The Environment  Agency, 2010).

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998 The regulation requires the use of safe machinery and equipment at the work place. This will act as a caution against any anticipated accidents and injuries during the construction and operation phases of the project (Mroszczyk, 2008).
Management of health and safety at work regulations of 1999 Specifies the need to carry out risk assessments and implementation of necessary measures that govern the management of health and safety. It is also a requirement in this regulation that competent people be employed and provided with appropriate training on safe operation of machinery. During the construction and operation phases of the solid waste treatment plant, qualified workers will be hired to operate machinery. Training will also be provided on the use of personal protective equipment and best working practices that aim at reducing accidents and injuries ( HSC, 2008).

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 This is a health and safety regulation that requires notification of dangerous work activities, occupational injuries and diseases. It will be a requirement that during the operation of the solid waste treatment plant, all injuries and diseases be reported to the relevant authorities. The occurrences of injuries shall be monitored and reported throughout the project construction and operational phases (Mroszczyk, 2008).

Construction Regulations 1994 The regulation focuses on the design and management of construction sites. The project site will be demarcated and fenced off to prevent any unauthorized. The construction works will also be implemented to acceptable standards (Peavy, Rowe,  Tchobanoglous, 1985). 

4.2.3    Environmental Protection Act 1990
Part 3 of the Environmental Protection Act specifies the duty of the council to investigate any complaints that are related to odour and emissions nuisance that include smoke, gases, and hazardous fumes. In the act, the complaints are justifiable if the emissions affect public health and the environment.

Noise nuisance is covered by part III of the Act. The forms of noise complaints that are investigated include noise from construction works, vehicles and machinery among others. The Act empowers local authorities to deal with nuisance noise which is prejudicial to health and can cause any form of disturbance of life style.

4.3    Possible Project Alternatives
The evaluation of various project alternatives is a requirement in the UK Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 1999. This is an important step towards the selection of a viable and sustainable treatment plant for implementation. The main aim of the selection is to achieve solid waste disposal practices that are friendly to the environment and can meet the requirements of the present and future generation. Some of the considerations that are usually used in the determination of the best project alternative for implementation are economic, technical and environmental considerations of the available options.

The no project alternative considers a situation that will result if the project is not implemented. This alternative will maintain the current state of uncontrolled management and disposal of solid wastes in the open dump sites. This alternative is not considered legitimate and will continue the degradation of the environment due to the poor solid waste management practices. The anticipated economic impacts from recycling of the solid wastes will be lost.  For this study, the possible project alternatives are based on the conventional solid waste disposal methods that are widely applicable in the world. These alternatives include sanitary landfilling incineration and pyrolysis.

4.3.2     Sanitary landfilling
Sanitary landfilling is one of the widely used means of solid wastes in the UK. This method of disposal involves stacking of sorted wastes in a well designed and engineered landfill (Bagchi, J  Amalendu, E 1990).  The stacks of solid wastes are compacted to increase their density and stability. With proper sorting of the solid wastes before disposal in the landfill, the composted material can be a good source of organic manure. The quality of the organic manure will be affected by the level of impurities in the untreated solid wastes. Decomposition of the landfill wastes leads to the emission of leachate and green house gases (GHGs) such as methane and carbon dioxide. These will significantly impact on the environment and human health if the landfill is not properly designed and constructed. This alternative is considered appropriate for treatment of solid wastes due to the low initial capital and management costs. Secondly, disposal of solid wastes in the landfills is one of the major practices in the country. Hence, this alternative will be accepted by the concerned authorities and stakeholders responsible for solid waste management in the country.  An overview of a well designed landfill is as shown in figure 1 below

4.3.3     Incineration
Incineration is a form of thermal treatment processes that involves burning of solid wastes. Solids, liquids and gaseous wastes are disposed of through incineration method.  The major shortcoming of incineration is the emission of harmful pollutants that are in the form of stack gases, ashes and some other residue (The Environment  Agency, 2010). This method is not appropriate for large scale disposal solid waste due to high initial and running costs. The environmental and social impacts associated with incineration are not easy to mitigate due to high toxicity levels. Thus, this alternative was not considered.

4.3.4    Pyrolysis
This is a method of solid waste treatment that involves the conversion of wastes into gaseous, liquid and solids (Peavy, Rowe,  Tchobanoglous, 1985). The process involves loading of wastes into an enclosed vessel where they are anaerobically exposed to heat. In this technology, wastes are cooked to produce gaseous emissions that are then used as fuel for the treatment process of solid wastes. The products from pyrolysis process are in the form of liquid fuel and solid substances that resemble goal.
This alternative is one of the most expensive methods to implement and requires high operation and maintenance costs for it to sustainably manage solid wastes (The Environment  Agency, 2010).

4.4    Comparison of the environmental consequences of alternatives
4.4.1    Environmental consequences of sanitary landfills 
The decomposition of the landfill wastes leads to the release of considerable quantities of methane and leachate. The emission of methane gas which is considered as one of the green house gases (GHGs) would significantly contribute to global warming. The leachate from the landfill can leak and penetrate through the underlying strata and thus polluting the soils and underground water (Reid, 2010). This leachate can contain harmful contaminants which can impact negatively on the environment and human health (Reid, 2010).  

4.4.2     Environmental consequences of incineration
The incineration process leads to the generation of wastes in form of stack gas emissions, fly ashes and ash that is inform of slag that are deposited at  the bottom of incinerator. All the incinerators release such chemicals as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, benzenes and heavy metals such as lead and mercury (Dempsey,  Oppelt, 1993). Most of these hazardous chemicals are known to be resistant to degradation in the ecosystem.  Their build up in the tissues of organisms leads to undesirable diseases and genetic mutations. Exposure to heavy metals from the incinerator would also lead to heart diseases, cancers and allergic conditions (Barbone, Stanta,  Lagazio, 1996). The dust emitted from the incinerator may be deposited in the surrounding grounds and this will lead to substantial pollution of soils and water sources.

These wastes may contain significant quantities of toxic substances that can impact negatively on the incinerator workers. Eikman (1994) argues that the greatest potential for exposure of the toxic compounds is during cleaning of the incinerator. The dioxins and other compounds in the wastes are also absorbable through the skin, thus posing great risks to the health of workers. There will be need for the workers to use high quality personal protective equipment that will minimize exposure to the incinerator wastes. 

4.4.3    Environmental consequences of Pyrolysis. 
Pyrolysis leads to the emission of harmful fumes which can cause adverse impacts on the environment. The gaseous fumes from this method contain high levels of carbon dioxide.  Carbon dioxide is one of the green house gases and continuous accumulation in the atmosphere will lead to the significant impacts associated with global warming. The use of pyrolysis will undermine the governments commitment towards meeting the global targets that aim to reduce the environment impacts, including   the reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions by 80 by the year 2050 (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2009,).

Non-technical summary
This assignment on environmental management project is on the economic benefits and the environmental impact assessment of a solid waste treatment plant (The Environment  Agency, 2010). The environmental impact assessment has been prepared to address the likely environmental impacts and mitigation measures of the project construction and operational phases. This section also covers a review of relevant government regulations to the project, analysis of project alternatives and comparison of the environmental impacts of the alternatives (Eikman, 1994). Some of the economic benefits anticipated from the construction of the project include creation of employment and increased incomes from recycling of solid wastes.

The solid waste treatment plant is intended to (1) ensure proper management of solid wastes that aim at reducing any adverse impacts on the public health and environment (2) promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of solid wastes in environmentally sustainable and friendly manner (3) reduce gaseous emissions to the atmosphere and enhance proper handling of leachate from the solid wastes and (4) protect against the undesirable impacts of uncontrolled waste disposal by ensuring orderly collection, sorting , processing and disposal.
As required in the Environmental Impact Assessment process, some of the Government regulations reviewed included
Management of health and safety at work regulations of 1999
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998
Noise at Work Regulations of 1989
UK Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) of 2004
UK EIA Regulations of 1999 (SI 1999 No. 293)
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995
Construction Regulations 1994
Environmental Protection Act 1990
The anticipated environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures associated with the project construction and operational phases are as shown in Tables 1 and 2.  The applicable Government ActsRegulations for each of the identified environmental impacts are also presented (The Environment  Agency, 2010).

Table  SEQ Table  ARABIC 2 Summary of anticipated environmental impacts and their mitigation measures during the construction phase of the solid waste treatment plant
Environmental ImpactsApplicable Government Acts Regulations Proposed Mitigation MeasuresGeneration of noiseNoise at Work Regulations of 1989The project constructor to use the best available practices on-site to minimize occupational noise.
The construction workers should be provided with personal protective equipment such as ear muffs.    Dust emissionsEnvironmental Protection Act 1990
Management of health and safety at work regulations of 1999
excavation, handling and transportation of erodible materials be avoided during high windy conditions
Ensure that dusty access roads are sprinkled with water to keep off dust Construction wastesConstruction Regulations of  1994
Environmental Protection Act 1990The project contractor to reduce generation of wastes and promote reuse and recycling.
Handle and dispose of generated solid wastes in acceptable waysLoss of biodiversityConstruction Regulations of  1994Restrict machinery movement in the demarcated project areas in order to minimize disturbance of flora and faunaWorkers accidents and hazards during construction  Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995
Management of health and safety at work regulations of 1999
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998Train construction workers on safe handling practices and the need for using personal protective clothing
Project contractor to ensure that construction machinery and equipment are in good working conditions all the times. Changes in soil propertiesConstruction Regulations of  1994Control and restrict earthworks to demarcated areas without necessarily disturbing adjacent land
Restrict excavation works to dry spells in order to prevent soil erosion and compaction.
Carry out soil compaction and infiltration tests to determine those sites that have to be rehabilitated after compaction.

Environmental ImpactsApplicable Government Acts Regulations Proposed Mitigation MeasuresSoil and water pollutionConstruction Regulations of  1994Promote best landfill management practices
Ensure sorting of wastes to be used for compost
Provide leachate collection pond in the design
Mature compost material should only be used as organic manure
Ensure proper monitoring of compost Emission of noxious odors and gasesEnvironmental Protection Act 1990Regularly service solid waste collection trucks to reduce emission of gaseaous fumes
Ensure proper operation and maintenance of the landfill
cover the landfill and include gas traps in the designOccupational health risks   Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998Train the personnel on best solid waste handling practices
Form a crisis management team and train on basic  First Aid skills

On project alternatives, the conventional solid waste disposal methods discussed included (1) Sanitary landfilling (2) incineration and (3) pyrolysis. Sanitary landfilling which is widely used in the UK was considered the best alternative for solid waste treatment due to its low initial capital and maintenance requirements. The environmental impacts of a sanitary landfill can easily be mitigated as compared to incineration and pyrolysis through proper designs and construction works (The Environment  Agency, 2010). Provision of gas traps and leachate ponds in the land fill are considered the most important requirements to minimize emission of methane and pollution of ground and surface water by the landfill leachate. The no project alternative is not desirable as there will be continued degradation of the environment due to the uncontrolled disposal of solid waste. For this alternative, the anticipated economic benefits from recycling of solid wastes will not be achieved.  The no project alternative will undermine the Government specific target of recovering 74 of the packaging wastes by the end of 2010.