Organic Solid Waste Management: Composting Workshop

The COPMENA project’s “Organic Solid Waste Management: Composting Workshop” took place at the Jordan Nature Academy, an urban farm dedicated to spreading permaculture and agricultural knowledge. This unique setting provided a holistic and practical backdrop for the workshop, aligning with our goal of promoting sustainable waste management practices in local vulnerable communities.

Workshop Topics and Discussions:

The workshop covered a range of essential topics, delving into the multifaceted aspects of organic composting in Jordan. It brought together 13 experts and individuals with local initiatives, facilitating in-depth discussions on the following key areas:

  1. Challenges and Opportunities: Participants explored the challenges and opportunities within the organic composting sector in Jordan. This included technical aspects of implementation, raising community awareness, examining relevant policies, and understanding the potential for marketing and networking.
  2. Technical Implementation: The workshop provided insights into the technical aspects of organic composting, sharing best practices and effective methods for managing organic waste at the community level.
  3. Community Awareness: Participants discussed strategies to enhance awareness within local communities about the importance of organic waste management and the benefits of composting.
  4. Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: The effectiveness of existing laws and policies related to waste management, particularly composting, was a central topic of discussion. The workshop aimed to identify areas where policy improvements could be made.
  5. Marketing and Networking: In recognition of the importance of marketing organic compost products and building valuable networks, the workshop provided guidance on these aspects.

 

General Challenges Identified:

During the workshop, several key challenges faced by solid waste activists and individuals with composting initiatives in Jordan were identified. These challenges can be categorized as follows:

  1. Social Challenges: These encompass issues related to awareness, willingness, cultural perceptions, and knowledge. Raising awareness and changing community attitudes toward composting were acknowledged as significant challenges.
  2. Policy Challenges: The effectiveness of existing laws and policies, along with the difficulty of obtaining necessary approvals, was a major concern. Workshop participants highlighted the need for more supportive policies in the waste management sector.
  3. Management Challenges: Effective and efficient waste management requires well-structured and organized systems. Participants discussed the challenges of managing composting initiatives effectively.
  4. Financial Challenges: Both capital and operational costs were identified as financial hurdles for individuals and organizations involved in composting. Finding the necessary resources to initiate and sustain composting efforts was a common concern.

The Organic Solid Waste Management: Composting Workshop served as a critical platform for sharing knowledge and experiences among experts and local initiators in Jordan. By addressing these challenges and opportunities, the workshop aimed to pave the way for more sustainable and community-driven organic waste management practices. The insights and recommendations generated from these discussions are instrumental in our ongoing efforts to support local communities in their waste management endeavors, thereby contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

In the following sections, three initiatives will be introduced as an example of many inspiring initiatives who have participated in the workshop.

 

Workshop Detailed Challenges & Opportunities

Challenges

  1. Limited Awareness and Education:
    • Lack of awareness among school children and the general public about agriculture, composting, and waste separation practices.
    • Limited knowledge about the benefits of organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.
  2. Inadequate Regulation and Compliance:
    • Challenges in implementing and enforcing effective regulations for solid waste management.
    • Instances of licensed composting companies producing low-quality compost, meeting legal standards but not fulfilling practical needs.
  3. Quality of Compost and Recycling Practices:
    • Issues with the quality of compost produced by some companies, including the inclusion of wood shavings and untreated bird waste.
    • Challenges in convincing farmers of the benefits of compost when poor-quality products harm crops.
  4. Resistance to Waste Separation:
    • Resistance among residents, particularly those from affluent classes, to separate waste for composting, even when provided with separate containers.
    • Limited interest in waste separation for organic fertilization among certain demographic groups.
  5. Environmental Hazards and Forest Fires:
    • Forest fires, possibly exacerbated by the exploitation of specific tree types with high heat value for ignition.
    • Challenges in attributing environmental hazards and disasters to their actual causes, such as deliberate crimes against forests.
  6. External Funding and Conditional Grants:
    • Dependency on external funding sources, leading to the imposition of specific technologies and conditions on waste management projects.
    • Some grants being conditional on solutions that may not align with local social frameworks and are socially unacceptable.
  7. Limited Collaboration and Partnerships:
    • Limited collaboration between governmental entities, legal professionals, and those involved in composting, generative agriculture, and sustainability.
    • Challenges in building effective partnerships between waste management initiatives and educational institutions, particularly universities.
  8. Gap Between Research and Application:
    • A gap between scientific research on waste management and its practical application in the job market.
    • Challenges in universities transitioning from educational institutions to research-oriented entities, hindering support for existing waste management projects.
  9. Community Engagement and Behavioral Challenges:
    • Challenges in engaging communities, especially in urban areas, in waste management practices like composting and sustainable agriculture.
    • Behavioral challenges, such as the reluctance of individuals to adopt waste separation practices even with financial means.
  10. Limited Local Solutions and Dependence on External Models:
    • The tendency to replicate foreign laws and regulations without adapting them to the local context.
    • Challenges in promoting local solutions and practices, with a potential mismatch between external solutions and local needs.

These challenges highlight the multifaceted nature of issues in Jordan’s solid waste sector, encompassing regulatory, educational, environmental, and societal aspects. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving various stakeholders and sectors.

Opportunities

  1. Market Acceptance and Product Development:
    • Opportunities to develop products from recycled waste that are accepted in the market.
    • Potential for creating valuable products through recycling and waste management.
  2. University Partnerships and Research Collaboration:
    • Potential for building partnerships with universities for research collaboration and scientific studies related to waste management.
    • Opportunities for students to engage in community work, gaining practical knowledge and contributing to the sector.
  3. Integration of Students into the Job Market:
    • Opportunities to bridge the gap between scientific research and the job market by involving university students in waste management projects.
    • Integration of students into the job market, providing them with real-world experience and exposure to challenges.
  4. Educational Initiatives for Awareness:
    • Opportunities to conduct educational initiatives, especially in schools, to raise awareness about agriculture, composting, and waste separation.
    • Potential for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental awareness among the younger generation.
  5. Local Solutions and Adaptation:
    • Opportunities to develop and promote local solutions tailored to the specific needs and contexts of Jordan.
    • Potential for adapting regulations and waste management practices to suit the local environment and societal frameworks.
  6. Waste-to-Energy Initiatives:
    • Opportunities to explore waste-to-energy initiatives, considering the potential energy value of certain types of waste.
    • Potential for utilizing waste as a resource for energy production and reducing environmental impact.
  7. Community Engagement and Behavioral Change:
    • Opportunities for community engagement, especially in urban areas, to encourage waste management practices like composting.
    • Potential for influencing behavioral change and fostering a culture of waste separation and sustainable practices.
  8. Entrepreneurial Ventures in Waste Management:
    • Opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter the waste management sector, offering innovative solutions and services.
    • Potential for small-scale initiatives to thrive by addressing specific challenges faced by larger projects.
  9. Financial Support and Investment:
    • Opportunities for financial support and investment in waste management projects that align with sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
    • Potential for attracting funding for initiatives that contribute to positive environmental impacts.
  10. Public-Private Partnerships:
    • Opportunities for public-private partnerships in waste management projects, leveraging the strengths of both sectors.
    • Potential for collaborative efforts to address challenges and implement effective waste management solutions.

These opportunities highlight the potential for growth, innovation, and positive environmental impact within Jordan’s solid waste sector. By capitalizing on these opportunities, stakeholders can contribute to sustainable development and address the challenges faced by the sector.