The objectives of this workshop was to share the experiences and lessons learned among the partners and stakeholders of participating countries in implementation of the “Waste to Resource” approach and in particular the adoption of Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) Model. The workshop was also aimed that discussing the challenges and opportunities to scale up “Waste to Resource” approach in developing countries in the Asia- Pacific region and to propose recommendations to overcome the current and future challenges. This regional workshop was jointly organized by Environment and Development in Action (ENDA) Viet Nam and the Association of Cities of Viet Nam (ACVN). The workshop had 04 days of technical sessions including 03 field visits to Waste Management project sites in Quy Nhon city.

Since 2007 the UNESCAP in collaboration with Waster Concern Consultants, Dhaka, Bangladesh has been promoting the IRRC model in the Asia Pacific Region in line with the 3R Principles. The UNESCAP has provided financial support to start pilot projects with the capacity to process 02 to 10 tons of Municipal Solid Waste per day in cities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and in Pakistan. This regional Workshop has therefore provided an excellent opportunity for the participants to learn from each other’s experiences.

Over 70 participants have participated in this regional workshop representing countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, USA and Viet Nam. The participants included the National and Provincial Government Officials, Mayors, Councilors and officials of City Councils, representatives of National Partner Institutions (NGOs) and Community Leaders.

The Sri Lankan team consisted of District Secretary of Matale, Director General of Central Environment Authority (CEA), Additional Secretary (Technical) Ministry of Water Supply & Drainage (Former Director of National Solid Waste Management Support Center of My.LG&PC) two Council Members of Matale Municipal Council, Chief Medical Officer of Health and Management Assistant of Ratnapura Municipal Council, President and Executive Director of SEVANATHA and Chief Executive Officer of Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt)Ltd.

SEVANATHA and Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt) Ltd have made presentations about their experiences and challenges in implementation of IRRC Project in Matale and Ratnapura cities, where it operates 09 tons and 05 tons per day capacity IRRCs in these two cities. For SEVANATHA and MEC (Pvt) Ltd this regional workshop provided a unique opportunity to improve linkages with its own Local Partners as well as regional partners. SEVANATHA and MEC are working hard to scale up the IRRCs in the two project cities and to expand this model to other potential secondary cities and small towns in Sri Lanka.

In this endeavor, SEVANATHA wishes to invite those interested donors and supporters to join hands with SEVANATHA in order to provide required financial and technical support cities to manage their solid waste in environmentally and economically sustainable manner by popularizing the IRRC model.

Presentations made by Sri Lankan team are available bellow….

01. Financing and Operating Decentralized and Community-Based 3R Initiatives: Economic Incentives and Partnership Models by Mr.K.A.Jayaratne, The President; SEVANATHA

02. Changing Behaviors: Education, advocacy and incentives for community participation in solid waste management IRRC Project Experience Sri Lanka by Mr.Chularathna, Executive Director, SEVANATHA

03. Overview and Implementation Status of the IRRCs Project in Matale Municipal Council, Sri Lanka; Mr.U.G.Ekanayaka,Chief Executive Officer, Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt) Ltd

Sri Lankan Presentations highlighted the achievements of the IRRC model as practiced in Matale and Ratnapura cities being a sustainable approach to address issues of Waste Management in secondary cities and small towns in Sri Lanka.