Pollution prevention in the Moroccan agro-processing industry

For the US Agency for International Development's Project in Development and Environment (PRIDE), ECODIT evaluated strategy options for pollution prevention by the agro-processing industry in Morocco (sugar plants, olive oil mills, canneries). ECODIT reviewed data on pollution generated by agro-processing plants, previous pollution prevention efforts or efforts currently underway, and the institutional and legal framework for pollution abatement efforts. ECODIT analyzed these data and conducted environmental audits of one sugar plant and one olive oil mill to estimate the potential for pollution prevention in these industrial sectors. Drawing on the US experience in this area, ECODIT suggested a series of measures to speed up the process of pollution prevention in the agro-processing industry in Morocco. These measures include economic and financial actions (increased water prices, investment incentives), awareness activities (pollution prevention audits), and training.

Identification of investment opportunities to improve Vietnam's urban environment

For the Singapore-based Regional Institute of Environmental Technology, ECODIT assessed the demand for environmental infrastructure projects in 24 medium-sized urban centers (population between 90,000 and 350,000) in Vietnam. ECODIT evaluated the development of private environmental infrastructure projects and studied ways to encourage foreign direct investment (Build Operate Transfer (BOT)) in urban and industrial wastewater and waste management systems. In particular, ECODIT emphasized locally-adapted waste recycling options of marketable products. ECODIT also conducted a critical analysis of the type and level of development assistance these centers are already getting from bilateral and multilateral donors as well as from non-government organizations. Based on this assessment, ECODIT developed a prioritized list of possible projects (including small in-the-field pilot projects with local population participation) and proposed an action plan to develop the most promising projects.

Sanitary and health evaluation of municipalities in the State of Bahia, Brazil

For the World Bank and the Bahia Water and Sanitation Company (EMBASA), ECODIT and GEOHIDRO, our Brazilian partners for this study, conducted a two-stage sanitary and health assessment of all 415 municipalities in the State of Bahia. The purpose of this study was to identify priority water, sanitation, and environmental projects. The study is in two stages. In Stage I, we performed a general diagnostic survey of the physical, health, sanitary and environmental conditions of all 415 municipalities in the State of Bahia and selected 60 municipalities for more detailed assessments. The survey included: (1) water supply; (2) sewer systems and rainwater drainage; (3) urban garbage disposal; (4) control of disease transmitting vectors; (5) environment; (6) water-borne diseases; and (7) physical, climatic, socio-economic, and cultural conditions. The survey consolidated all existing information in the various institutions (federal, state, and municipal) operating in Salvador. In Stage II, the ECODIT-GEOHIDRO team visited all 60 municipalities and collected more detailed and up-to-date information on the sanitary and health situation as well as existing or proposed environmental projects. We identified and evaluated potential environmental projects for each of the 60 municipalities and selected six municipalities where priority water and sanitation projects will be implemented.

Preparation of a feasibility study for hazardous waste management in Malaysia

For the US TDA, ECODIT prepared the terms of reference for a Feasibility Study (FS) on hazardous waste management in Malaysia. The FS evaluated whether Kualiti Alam (KA), the 15-year hazardous waste management concessionaire selected by the Malaysian government, could use the plasma technology in their Waste Management Centre in Bukit Nanas. Plasma arc torches use electricity to generate extremely high temperatures (from 5,000 to 14,000 oC) that disassociate organics into gases and melt inorganics into lava. During its mission in Malaysia, ECODIT met with KA's executives who expressed strong interest in plasma and requested TDA's assistance. KA's Waste Management Centre in Bukit Nanas currently includes a hazardous waste storage facility and a hazardous waste landfill. A plasma plant would complement the upcoming 50,000 tons per year incinerator and would handle ash from the incinerator and wastes that cannot be incinerated. To prepare the terms of reference, ECODIT reviewed the quantities and types of hazardous wastes generated in Malaysia and assessed current waste management practices. ECODIT also estimated the capital and O&M costs of KA's proposed 80,000 tons per year Plasma Pyrolysis and Vitrification Plant.

ECODIT recommended that the US TDA finance a feasibility study (FS) to assess the commercial viability of the plasma technology for hazardous waste treatment. USTDA signed a $300,000 grant agreement with Kualiti Alam, Malaysia's private hazardous waste management concessionaire. A consortium of four US companies (Global Plasma System, Westinghouse, SAIC, and Ernst and Young) conducted the FS (under a cost-sharing arrangement) that resulted in a partnership between Global Plasma System and Kualiti Alam.

Preparation of a feasibility study for industrial waste/sludge waste projects in Brazil

ECODIT assessed whether the US TDA should provide funding for the Rio de Janeiro Sludge Treatment Feasibility Study and the Suape Industrial Port Complex in Brazil. The Rio de Janeiro Water and Sewage Company (CEDAE) is a state-run company in charge of water supply and wastewater treatment within the State of Rio de Janeiro. CEDAE must find a way to handle the sludge resulting from wastewater treatment. As a result, CEDAE is interested in concessioning sludge treatment to a private firm. ECODIT recommended that TDA fund $300,000 for a Rio Sludge Management Feasibility Study, subject to CEDAE's agreement that any sludge management projects will be developed and operated as concessions.

The Suape Industrial Port Complex is a large port facility and industrial zone situated south of Recife in the State of Pernambuco. Based on a pre-feasibility study conducted by the Pernambuco Federal University, at least two dozen of industrial facilities in the industrial zone generate 23 tons of hazardous waste per day, about 7,000 tons per year. Suape's plan is to out-source the management of industrial waste, just as it currently does for electricity, water, and other utilities. The company selected for industrial waste management may also be contracted by the City of Recife to handle commercial solid waste management for the southern metropolitan area. ECODIT recommended that TDA fund a $25,000 pre-feasibility study to establish written commitments from a manageable number of multinational generators who would be the core customers for the project. ECODIT also recommended funding of $40,000 for an Orientation Visit in the United States to bring potential key Brazilian sector players together with their U.S. counterparts to introduce Brazilian officials to the latest U.S. goods and services relating to industrial waste disposal and treatment.

USTDA desk study on Costa Rica oil sludge project

For the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA), ECODIT conducted a desk study to evaluate a proposal by Kiber Environmental (dba Kiber International) for a feasibility study to assess the construction of a facility that would process oil sludge waste from vessels in the Port of Limón and Moin. The facility would recycle the sludge by using two new technologies (DCR asphalt technology and Cement-Lock) to make asphalt and concrete. ECODIT reviewed the technical and financial proposal, contacted key players in the project and conducted interviews on the technology and the current economic and environmental situation in Costa Rica. ECODIT concluded that, prior to a feasibility study, a market assessment of the availability of sludge waste, tipping fees, and actual demand for the products generated by the facility needed to be undertaken.

USTDA desk study on Algerian solid waste projects

ECODIT completed two Desk Studies (DS) for the US Trade and Development Agency (TDA). First, ECODIT reviewed a proposal by Sadat International and Edgeboro International for a feasibility study for the creation of a solid waste landfill in the city of Sidi Abdellah, Algeria. Given the strong opposition from environmental NGOs and because of the difficulty to collect tipping fees, ECODIT recommended that the first phase of the feasibility study focus on cost recovery and financial feasibility.

Second, ECODIT reviewed a proposal by Brown, Vence & Associates (BVA) for a feasibility study for solid waste management projects in Jijel, Algeria. BVA's proposal was to develop a SWM plan for Jijel, but with no direct link to a specific project. ECODIT suggested that BVA improve their proposal by collecting more data on Jijel's municipal SWM budget and focusing on a more specific project with a measurable rate of return.