Environmental impact assessment of waste to energy projects in developing countries: General guidelines in the context of Bangladesh

Abstract

Generating energy from waste is an evolving phenomenon nowadays in most parts of the world. The establishment of Waste to Energy (WtE) generation plants using appropriate technologies is increasing both in developed and developing countries as one of the sustainable options for waste management. However, there is a lack of guidelines of assessing environmental impacts of such projects, particularly in developing countries. This paper is an attempt to deliver general guidelines for conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of WtE generation projects in the context of Bangladesh. Based on secondary information, this paper draws attention to environmental impact issues that can be relevant to the construction and operation of WtE projects. These issues include air quality, water quality, disturbance of terrestrial habitat, human health, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other pollutants, impacts on local community, land use, and visual disturbance. This paper also suggests mitigation measures to address the potential significant impacts in addition to key elements in the development of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that includes a monitoring program. Finally, recommendations are made on how to successfully undertake the EIA.