About this course: Have you come across large piles of garbage in neighborhoods and streets, or smelly waste disposal sites polluting the environment of low and middle income countries? Are you also convinced that improvements are necessary and do you want to know what kind of sustainable solutions are appropriate to better manage waste and enhance recycling and recovery? If yes, this course is for you! This course provides an overview of the municipal solid waste management situation in developing countries covering key elements of the waste management system, with its technical, environmental, social, financial and institutional aspects. Besides understanding the challenges you will learn about appropriate and already applied solutions through selected case studies. The course also covers strategic planning and policy issues discussing future visions for waste management and the aspect of a circular and green economy. Considering the importance of the organic waste fraction, the course covers several organic waste treatment technology options such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and some other innovative approaches. MOOC SERIES “SANITATION, WATER AND SOLID WASTE FOR DEVELOPMENT” This course is one of four in the series “Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development". Please visit the course page for more information.

Created by: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Taught by: Dr. Christian Zurbrügg
Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development / Eawag
Taught by: Imanol Zabaleta
Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development / Eawag
Taught by: Félix Schmidt
Sanitary Engineering, Water and Waste Management / EPFL

Commitment	5 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week
Language	English, Subtitles: French, Spanish
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Week 1: Introduction to Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries

The course begins with an overview of the current waste situation in developing countries. We will introduce the Integrated Sustainable Waste Management (ISWM) framework that provides a general overview of SWM systems and will guide us though this course. The modules of this first week deal with the physical components of a SWM system. At the end of this week we expected you to understand the different steps in the municipal solid waste management chain, the key requirements for an appropriate management as well as the main challenges in developing countries. Real study case examples will be introduced to support the understanding.

12 videos, 4 readings

Reading: About the course
Reading: How to use the forum
Video: Trailer
Video: 1.1 Overview of the course
Video: 1.2 Why is this course important?
Video: 1.3 Municipal waste generation and characterization
Video: 1.4 Waste collection and transport
Video: 1.5 Optimization of waste collection and transport
Video: 1.6 The special case of primary collection
Video: 1.7 Recycling municipal waste
Video: 1.8 Treatment Options
Video: 1.9 Waste disposal / Landfills - part 1
Video: 1.10 Waste disposal / Landfills - part 2
Video: 1.11 Key messages Week 1
Reading: Suggested readings - Week 1
Reading: Slides - Week 1

WEEK 2

Week 2: Introduction to Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries

In the second week, the course will focus on the governance aspects also referred as the “soft” aspects of a municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system. The different stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities will be explained as well as legislative issues and financial mechanisms.

10 videos, 2 readings

Video: 2.1 Policies and legislation
Video: 2.2 The role of the public sector
Video: 2.3 The role of the private sector
Video: 2.4 Integrating the informal sector
Video: 2.5 The Role of Community Members
Video: 2.6 Public Awareness Campaigns - Case study India
Video: 2.7 Financing Mechanisms - part 1
Video: 2.8 Financing mechanisms - part 2
Video: 2.9 Example of cost and tariff model
Video: 2.10 Key messages Week 2
Reading: Suggested readings - Week 2
Reading: Slides - Week 2

Graded: Week 1&2

WEEK 3

Week 3: Organic waste treatment technologies

The third week will focus on the treatment of organic waste. In this week you will learn the basics of two very common organic waste treatment technologies: composting and anaerobic digestion. Study case examples will be presented as well as some practical exercises. This will help consolidate your knowledge to better understand the underlying treatment principles and processes, the key issues in operation and maintenance of such treatment facilities and the benefits of the value products from the treatment.

10 videos, 2 readings

Video: 3.1 Science of composting
Video: 3.2 Composting technologies
Video: 3.3 Operating the Composting Process
Video: 3.4 Case Study Composting - Dhaka, Bangladesh
Video: 3.5 Case Study Composting - Temesi, Bali, Indonesia
Video: 3.6 The Basics of Anaerobic Digestion of Biowaste
Video: 3.7 Anaerobic Digestion Technologies and Operation
Video: 3.8 Using the Products of Anaerobic Digestion
Video: 3.9 Calculating the size of an anaerobic reactor
Video: 3.10 Key messages Week 3
Reading: Suggested readings - Week 3
Reading: Slides - Week 3

WEEK 4

Week 4: Organic waste treatment technologies

Week four will continue with an introduction to other organic waste treatment technologies. Although currently less common in practice, the treatment by vermicomposting, Black Solider Fly larvae or options of thermochemical conversion are explained and their potential for waste management in developing countries are discussed. The week then ends with two modules on special waste types, hazardous and health care waste as well as electronic waste, explaining the key challenges and opportunities for improvement in a low and middle income setting.

6 videos, 2 readings

Video: 4.1 Vermicomposting of Biowaste
Video: 4.2 Biowaste Processing with Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Video: 4.3 Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass
Video: 4.4 Hazardous Household Waste and Health Care Waste
Video: 4.5 E-waste
Video: 4.6 Key messages Week 4
Reading: Slides - Week 4
Reading: Suggested readings - Week 4

Graded: Week 3&4

WEEK 5

Week 5: Assessment and planning methods for Solid Waste Management

During the last week, the modules will focus more on strategic aspects of MSWM. Methods on how to integrate organic waste management into the municipal SWM system will be explained. Furthermore a standardized method to evaluate and compare systems with regard to their performance will be presented as well as the relevance of waste management and its impacts on climate change. Finally, the course will conclude with some reflections on the future of waste management introducing the concept of circular economy.

5 videos, 2 readings