International Solid Waste Association
Encyclopedia
The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) is a non governmental, independent and non-profit association by statutes and follows the mission statement to promote and develop professional waste management
worldwide as a contribution to sustainable development
.
ISWA's objective is the worldwide exchange of information and experience on all aspects of waste management. The association promotes the adoption of acceptable systems of professional waste management and of public cleansing through technological development and improvement of practices for the protection of human life, health and the environment as well as the conservation of materials and energy resources.
ISWA is active in a variety of areas, including conferences, meetings, training programs, information development and dissemination, and technical assistance on a global scale. The association has a total of more than 1,200 members in 93 countries. Its network expands to countries with more than 80% of the world's population and represents all aspects of the waste management field: from practitioners and industry to communities, from associations, research institutes and academics to regulatory authorities.
To more effectively implement its programs ISWA has established Regional Development Networks outside of its traditionally strong areas (Central Europe and the USA). At the present 3 networks have been established:
• Asian and Pacific Regional Network: includes members from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.
• Balcanien, Middle East and Mediterranean Regional Network: includes members from Turkey and Israel.
• Latin America Regional Network: includes members from Argentina and Brazil.
The objective of these networks is to promote sustainable waste management in their regions, to develop a network for local problem solving, to promote ISWA and serve as a link to ISWA programs. Each regional office organizes local meetings, conferences and training events to address issues of concern for a specific region.
The ISWA Development Programme was created to fund educational and training programmes in the field of waste management as well as sustain a transfer of knowledge to developing countries and economies in transition. The IDP is a World Summit on Sustainable Development Type II Partnership endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme
and is financed by voluntary donations from ISWA National Members, Organisation Members and Individual Members as well as third party sponsors.
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
worldwide as a contribution to sustainable development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
.
ISWA's objective is the worldwide exchange of information and experience on all aspects of waste management. The association promotes the adoption of acceptable systems of professional waste management and of public cleansing through technological development and improvement of practices for the protection of human life, health and the environment as well as the conservation of materials and energy resources.
ISWA is active in a variety of areas, including conferences, meetings, training programs, information development and dissemination, and technical assistance on a global scale. The association has a total of more than 1,200 members in 93 countries. Its network expands to countries with more than 80% of the world's population and represents all aspects of the waste management field: from practitioners and industry to communities, from associations, research institutes and academics to regulatory authorities.
Working Groups
The association is the global forum for waste management with 9 technical working groups covering all relevant aspects of sustainable waste management and with special interest in developing country issues.- Working Group on Biological Treatment of Wastes: addresses the biological treatment of the organic fraction of solid waste through aerobic and anaerobic decompositionAnaerobic digestionAnaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. It is used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy....
processes.
- Working Group on CollectionWaste collectionWaste collection is the component of waste management which results in the passage of a waste material from the source of production to either the point of treatment or final disposal...
and TransferTransfer stationA transfer station is a building or processing site for the temporary deposition of waste. Transfer stations are often used as places where local waste collection vehicles will deposit their waste cargo prior to loading into larger vehicles...
Technology: addresses the storage, collection, transfer and transportation of solid wastes.
- Working Group on Communication: addresses public concerns, comprising public support of and opposition to waste management policies, public consultation and participation, and communication and social issues with focus on human attitudes towards waste.
- Working Group on Hazardous WasteHazardous wasteA hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
: focuses on the sound management of hazardous wastes from both industrial and household sources, and the remediation of hazardous waste sites resulting from unacceptable hazardous wastes management practices.
- Working Group on Healthcare WasteMedical wasteMedical waste, also known as clinical waste, normally refers to waste products that cannot be considered general waste, produced from healthcare premises, such as hospitals, clinics, doctors offices, veterinary hospitals and labs.-Europe:...
: promotes the integrated provision of the infrastructure for the safe management of health care waste worldwide, within the framework of the objectives, activities and means of implementation established by Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development.
- Working Group on Legal Issues: works towards exchanging knowledge and experience on legal subjects within the entire field of solid waste management. Including waste minimisation, low waste technology, reuse, recycling, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of all types of waste, operation of waste management systems, eco-management and audit scheme, environmental protection, work in environment and public participation.
- Working Group on RecyclingRecyclingRecycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
and Waste minimisationWaste minimisationWaste minimization is the process and the policy of reducing the amount of waste produced by a person or a society.Waste minimization involves efforts to minimize resource and energy use during manufacture. For the same commercial output, usually the fewer materials are used, the less waste is...
: addresses both minimisation of solid waste generation and the separation, processing and marketing of materials removed from the municipal solid waste stream.
- Working Group on Thermal TreatmentIncinerationIncineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
: addresses the thermal treatment of municipal solid waste, comprising the combustion processes, the production of energy, the control of emissions and the handling of residues.
- Working Group on LandfillLandfillA landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
: focuses on the design, construction, regulation, and management of landfills, for both industrial and developing nations. Management interests include operations, closure, and post-closure issues, including ground water monitoring and testing, leachateLeachateLeachate is any liquid that, in passing through matter, extracts solutes, suspended solids or any other component of the material through which it has passed....
management, gas management, as well as the quantity and quality of the wastes landfilled.
Development Networks and Programmes
- Regional Development Networks:
To more effectively implement its programs ISWA has established Regional Development Networks outside of its traditionally strong areas (Central Europe and the USA). At the present 3 networks have been established:
• Asian and Pacific Regional Network: includes members from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.
• Balcanien, Middle East and Mediterranean Regional Network: includes members from Turkey and Israel.
• Latin America Regional Network: includes members from Argentina and Brazil.
The objective of these networks is to promote sustainable waste management in their regions, to develop a network for local problem solving, to promote ISWA and serve as a link to ISWA programs. Each regional office organizes local meetings, conferences and training events to address issues of concern for a specific region.
- ISWA Development Programme (IDP)
The ISWA Development Programme was created to fund educational and training programmes in the field of waste management as well as sustain a transfer of knowledge to developing countries and economies in transition. The IDP is a World Summit on Sustainable Development Type II Partnership endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
and is financed by voluntary donations from ISWA National Members, Organisation Members and Individual Members as well as third party sponsors.
Publications
ISWA publications include journals (Waste Management & Research), newsmagazine (Waste Management World), several position and policy papers, key issue papers and various reports from Working Groups.Education and Training
ISWA carries out several ad hoc training courses and workshops around the world through its various working groups and in cooperation with other entities. More recently it has launched the International Solid Waste Manager Certification Programme. This programme is designed to provide an internationally recognized certification for individual professional waste managers based on their academic achievements and their practical work experience.See also
- Chartered Institute of Wastes ManagementChartered Institute of Wastes ManagementThe Chartered Institution of Wastes Management is the leading membership organisation for professionals in the Waste Management Industry in the United Kingdom and overseas....
(CIWM) UK - Solid Waste Association of North AmericaSolid Waste Association of North AmericaFor nearly 50 years, The Solid Waste Association of North America, has been a professional association in the solid waste management field...
(SWANA) USA