Washington, World Bank, September 15, 2019 (Sint Maarten)
After conducting several site visits and engaging in discussions with both the World Bank team and the Sint Maarten Government, Aim Texas Consultants have formulated a set of proposals to create a road map for implementing an Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS) in Sint Maarten. These proposals will be further discussed with the Government.
During this process, the topics of feasibility studies to be conducted under this Technical Assistance (TA) project have been thoroughly deliberated through extensive communication between the Consultant and the World Bank. Moreover, all challenges and limitations related to establishing physical facilities, considering the unique geographical conditions of the island, have been thoroughly examined and assessed. This evaluation covers activities for both Short and Mid-Term Plan periods.As noted in the Contract scope of work:
| As part of this project, two (2) of the most important quick-win solutions have been identified for conducting feasibility studies. The selection of topics or technologies for these pre-feasibility studies will be discussed and agreed upon in consultation with the World Bank team. The pre-feasibility studies will provide essential insights into system arrangements, capital requirements, key challenges, and other crucial information necessary for informed decision-making. Furthermore, a short-term waste management plan will be formulated to serve as crucial guidance for the Bank in designing the subsequent waste management investment project. |
The short-term plan and its associated feasibility studies build upon the groundwork and road map previously developed by the Sint Maarten government. These studies also take into consideration the disposal studies conducted by other consultants and the database containing waste quantities and characteristics specific to the Sint Maarten population and economy.
Based on review of potential quick wins described in the “Quick Wins” report, and on dialogue between the World Bank and Sint Maarten government, two “top priority” quick wins are recommended by the Aim Texas consultants for purposes of conducting feasibility studies, which are:
- Feasibility Study for Main MSW Landfill in Pond Island, upgrading and extension of it, and improving it as “Controlled Landfill”.
- Developing an Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) for Sint Maarten with a centralized MRF and optional WtE facility, and
- Preparation of a Short-Term Plan.
In line with the agreement, a site visit has been scheduled for the week of September 15 – 19, 2019, to conduct consultation meetings with the Government and the World Bank team in Sint Maarten. During this visit, the preparation of the mentioned feasibility studies was mutually agreed upon by the World Bank team and the Government.
Feasibility Study 1: MSW Landfill Upgrading and Extension
By assessing the existing conditions and available space at the current MSW and Disaster Debris landfill sites, as well as nearby lands utilized for storing scrap and other materials, there is potential for extending the disposal life in the Great Salt Pond area. For the purpose of this pre-feasibility study, the entire available property will be taken into consideration for potential disposal.
This study will thoroughly examine the available data and maps to identify practices that can enhance landfill conditions and reduce space requirements, thereby indicating the potential extension of the landfill’s life. Government efforts to stabilize slopes and prevent fires will also be evaluated, as they seem to be contributing positively to the improvements.
Some incoming waste that does not require normal covered landfill might be diverted to other locations, such as some construction/demolition debris, so that space for municipal solid waste could be optimized. Also, some incoming waste might be able to be easily processed, such as landscaping wood and plant waste could be ground and composted at another location. Scrap metal could be crushed and exported. Some pre-processing of MSW might also be done to minimize volume demands and reduce soil cover requirements, such as aerobic decomposition of the putrescibles within the waste mix. Pre-sorting of recyclables could also be a way to minimize volume demands. Suggestions for source reduction of wastes could be briefly assessed.
As part of enhancing the site, the pre-feasibility study will take into account the improvement of slope stability and the maintenance of fire suppression activities as essential components of an upgraded operational plan. The recent initiatives undertaken by the Government to tackle these issues will also be carefully considered.
The assessment will focus on evaluating how the different options proposed can extend the landfill’s life, specifically in terms of the potential years added, the volume of waste accommodated, and the quantity of waste managed. Additionally, the study will explore how the combined implementation of the recommendations can contribute to extending the overall potential lifespan of the landfill.
The prompt implementation of the weighbridge is crucial, and it should not be delayed. Additionally, it is essential to acquire the landfill compactor and tub grinder as previously suggested. AIM TEXAS will offer a layout design, indicating the optimal location for the weighbridge and the arrangement of equipment staging.
AIM TEXAS will furnish concise descriptions of each work package, along with estimated time frames and preliminary costs. These packages of work will encompass site investigations, stability analyses, feasibility level designs, and cost evaluations for any necessary follow-up actions. Furthermore, off-site work will be conducted to prepare a disaster debris location and a construction/demolition debris location for long-term use, along with dealing with rejects (wastes that cannot be processed).
These work packages are vital to facilitate the current disposal property’s capability to handle only Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the short term. Additionally, they will eventually create space for an integrated Solid Waste Management (SWM) facility, along with accommodating residuals resulting from processing activities.
Feasibility Study 2: Establishing Integrated SWM Facility
This feasibility study would cover materials recovery, decomposition of putrescible organics and conversion of waste to energy, which could be eventually considered as part of the integrated SWM facility. The framework for the facility would examine quantities and types of treatment to be conducted, as well as resulting byproducts and markets. The various technical options would be reviewed and examined for potential applicability, risks, markets, and costs, at a pre-feasibility level. Spatial needs and potential disposal requirements for residues and rejects would be examined. Potential cost recovery mechanisms, including tariff bundling concepts, would be outlined and discussed.
Packages outlining needed work will be summarized, included estimated time frames and costs to conduct the work required to develop feasibility studies, site investigations, and preliminary costs. As noted above, it is assumed that the current disposal property for the above MSW and Disaster Debris landfills, and other site activities, would be considered one property for potentially locating the integrated SWM facility and the ancillary residuals disposal.
For such a facility to be successful, the legal/regulatory framework for flow control and waste quality control would need to be examined, together with the types of collection system controls that would support them. The integrated SWM facility and its weighbridge would be the heart of Sint Maarten’s solid waste system. All collection and any related source segregation activities would need to support the facility. Contracts, licenses, and regulations of both waste generators and collectors that are needed to be upgraded to enable the facility to be successful. Aside from describing the legal/regulatory/contractual requirements needed, packages will be outlined with costs to describe the next work activities that would advance progress on this aspect.
This feasibility report on the integrated SWM facility will describe the proposed works and contract arrangements, and the viability of locating all the needed operations at the current available properties owned by government at Great Pond. The report will discuss the initial capacity of the plant to handle MSW and discuss the potential requirements if ship waste were later included in an expansion. For follow-up work, AIM TEXAS would provide short descriptions for each proposed package of work for the next steps of feasibility studies, costs, siting, and other activities needed to advance the development of the SWM facility.
Short Term Plan
As outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR), the primary purpose of the short-term plan is to provide “critical guidance to the design of the next waste management project.” Consequently, this plan will establish the foundational elements for a near-term investment project to be developed by the Bank. This will entail conducting a feasibility assessment of the necessary facility, equipment, and land components required for the successful implementation of recommended solid waste improvements.
The short-term plan will comprehensively describe the data, analysis, assessment, siting, land acquisition, and resettlement activities recommended, along with the required work packages essential for preparing the investment project. The goal is to present this plan to the Bank’s Board of Directors for consideration. Subsequent to the feasibility stage of the work, any detailed design, site studies, costing, land acquisition, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) work needed to meet Bank requirements will be carried out. The short-term plan will indicate the key activities that will be necessary for this purpose.
The short-term plan will be supported by the work on the two feasibility studies described above. For the short-term, landfill capacity must be assured, which means that every effort to improve and extend the existing landfill sites is needed. Also, weighbridge data is crucially needed for planning and design, and implementation of the weighbridge is urgently recommended. Because of the country’s severe limitations for landfill, every effort needs to be made to process the wastes in a way that minimizes rejects, residuals, and pollution control residues. For the short term, it is envisioned that a DBOT contractor would handle only the country’s municipal solid waste. Ownership of the facility would belong to the government upon payment for capital investment costs, after successful startup operations.