Bangkok--4 Jan--AIT
A new waste recovery project involving four countries in South-East Asia has been launched with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) assuming the role of the lead partner. The four countries — Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam, all from the Mekong region, are engaged in an international partnership to work towards zero waste, zero landfill and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
A key partner is the University of Bor?s, Sweden, which is practicing the technology of resource recovery and waste refining in the Bor?s city, and seeks to transfer the knowledge, technology and technological know-how to Mekong region through this project.
Says Dr. Muhammad Abu Yusuf, Project Coordinator of the Mekong Region Waste Refinery-International Partnership Project, “The project aims at capacity development, besides conducting a feasibility study and a pilot project.” The key focus is to convert waste into energy as well as resources, while ensuring zero land filling.
The Mekong region has witnessed a doubling of waste generation during the past 10 years leading to issues of managing bulk waste. With the physical facilities being inadequate, and few resources being allocated for waste disposal, open dumping and uncollected waste remains the most common practice. The project, which will run over 15 months involves the Department of Environment of Phnom Penh Municipality, Cambodia; Vientiane Urban Development Administration Authority (VUDAA), Lao PDR; Detudom Municipality, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMC DONRE), Vietnam; University of Bor?s, Sweden; and Bor?s City, Sweden.
In mid-December a delegation from Thailand and Cambodia made a first study visit to Bor?s where they visited Bor?s Energi and Milj? AB, the local energy and waste management company; Sobacken, the local waste management plant the water treatment plant at G?ssl?sa; thermal power plant in Bor?s; SP Swedish technical research institute; and the Science Center “Navet”. In January, two officials from each city will arrive in Bor?s for a four week long study visit to learn more about waste management, resource recovery, waste to energy and zero landfill in Bor?s.
More details are available at these links
University of Bor?s
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