Benefits of Waste Valorization in the Developing World

In much of the developing world there is no formal waste management system which results in waste being dumped in informal waste sites where it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-bearing pests (Shepard, Cudevill, Hlasa, Zambrano, & Dayan, 2011). Plastics in these informal sites can be washed into ground water where they can then be carried into the ocean. An innovative program enables small businesses in Latin America to quantify their waste (and other) impacts and provides consulting and training to help reduce environmental impacts through reuse, recycling, waste management and energy reduction. A triple bottom line assessment founded on the AIChE’s Total Cost Assessment methodology was conducted on expansion of the program funded by the US Department of State. The companies involved in the project feel much more resilient and have increased revenues by around 10% after the first year, with 10%-100% revenue increases expected over the next 10 years. Companies reported 3-5% improvements in productivity and a drop in turnover from 10% to nearly zero. Along with disease reduction, the community is expected to benefit from direct and indirect employment. Implementing reuse of chromium laden water in a number of tanneries results in dramatic environmental benefits equating to an economic value of a few million up to around 60 million, depending upon value system used and taking into account the uncertainty of the impact. Unquantified benefits include knowledge sharing in employee families and the community and industry pressure on local governments to create waste handling infrastructure. References

Shepard, D. S., Cudevill, L., Hlasa, Y. A., Zambrano, B., & Dayan, G. H. (2011). Economic Impact of Dengue Illness in the Aericas. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 84(2), 200-207.