Waste Management ChallengesWaste Management Challenges

Problems in Sparsely Populated

Northern Regions

EWM Seminar Dundee 3-4/2/05Recycling Institute

J.Nimmo

Realities facedRealities faced

Low population densitiesExtreme climatic conditionsAging residents/emigrating youthFringe locationObsolete infrastructure

Sources of LivelihoodSources of Livelihood

Agriculture - fallingForestry - staticMining - risingTourism - exploding

Environmental Effects of Above

Environmental Effects of Above

Agriculture - positive – lower P++ and N++

loading on water sources Forestry – negative – use of machines not men,

access roads Mining – negative – spoil tips, water usage,

access roads, reinstatement costs

Tourism – negative – peak waste loads, access, provision of needed infrastructure

Points to ConsiderPoints to Consider

Motivation – Imposed or Intrinsic

Logistics – Centralised or Localised

Technology – Traditional or Innovative

MotivatorsMotivators

Imposed- regulations, taxes, fees, etc.

Intrinsic- education, peer pressure, morality, etc.

LogisticsLogistics

Centralised - investment-effective, controllable, controversial (Nimby effect)

Localised - labour intensive, low quantities pose storage/health risks

TechnologyTechnology

Traditional- unsupportable ecologically in the long term, financially advantageous

Innovative- potentially risky, initially expensive, concepts often difficult to “sell”