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
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 5 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Spanish, Indonesian, French |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
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, 6 readings
- Reading: Important information to succeed in this course
- Reading: Key and further readings
- Video: 1.1 Overview of the course
- Reading: Connect with your peers
- 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
- Reading: How to give feedback to the course team?
- 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: 2.2 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: 3.2 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: 4.2 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, 3 readings
- Video: 5.2 Comparing cities' performance
- Video: 5.3 Waste and climate change
- Video: 5.4 Circular economy and solid waste management
- Video: 5.5 Key messages Week 5
- Reading: Suggested readings - Week 5
- Reading: Slides - Week 5
- Reading: Please share your views with us!
Graded: Final exam
FAQs
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Ratings and Reviews
Nicely arranged course curriculum. I enjoyed the learning different technologies of waste treatment through this course.
very informative course
The course is very good. It covers many topics of interest in the management of solid waste at the same time it details important legal and administrative aspects. It is undoubtedly an excellent course to have a first approach to solid waste management.
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Excellent course for budding students and professionals who are learning and practising the field of urban development, Solid Waste Management sector etc. The course provides wide insights into MSW management, recycling, bio waste processing, stakeholder roles in SWM chain and circular economy of solid wastes