P07: Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal in Yangon

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Theme: Nature-based Solutions as public goods to fight climate change

Applicant Information

Name: Shwe Mar
Organization: Simple Solutions for Change

Project Overview

Title: Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal in Yangon
Location: Yangon Region
Duration: 1st August 2024 to 30th October 2024 (Completed)

Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal Project

The “Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal Project” addresses several key challenges in waste management:

Environmental Impact: Traditional waste disposal methods, such as landfilling and incineration, can lead to soil and water contamination, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The project seeks to mitigate these environmental hazards by promoting sustainable waste management practices.

Resource Efficiency: A significant portion of waste comprises materials that could be recycled or repurposed. The project emphasizes the importance of a circular economy, aiming to maximize resource efficiency by encouraging recycling, reuse, and waste generation reduction.

Public Awareness and Participation: Achieving sustainable waste management requires active participation from the community. The project highlights the need for public education and engagement to promote responsible consumption and waste disposal behaviors.

Overview of Concept and Approach

Our project challenges the misconception that recycling is costly by highlighting its economic benefits and the ease of participation.

Practical Solutions: We aim to bridge the gap by providing simple, practical solutions that require minimal effort from households, encouraging widespread participation in responsible waste management.

Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal in Yangon project aims to raise awareness of waste segregation, encourage recycling, and promote the use of junk shops for recyclable materials. The project conducted household waste surveys, mapped junk shops, and organized waste management training to enhance community engagement in sustainable waste practices.

The Impact of Our Initiative

Community Engagement

• Project Launch Event: The event’s success in attracting 68 attendees from organizations such as Coca-Cola Myanmar, UNODC, Myanmar Environmental Solutions Co., Ltd., PTTEP, Bokashi Myanmar, BRIDGE, and various startups reflects strong cross-sector interest and support for sustainable waste management in Yangon. This diverse attendance also aids in building a wider network for future collaboration.
• Volunteer Training: Eleven volunteers were trained in waste management and data collection, equipping them with practical skills to further the project’s objectives. This training empowered volunteers to become advocates for sustainable practices within their communities.
• Household Survey: Participation by 130 households across 30 townships is a significant achievement, providing valuable insights into waste management practices and perceptions in Yangon’s residential areas.
• Waste Management Training: Training 20 individuals in waste management is a strong foundation for ongoing education, contributing to a ripple effect of knowledge sharing within the community and supporting the project’s long-term impact.

Junk Shop Mapping

• Mapping 60 junk shops across 30 townships and sharing this information on digital platforms is impactful, as it promotes a practical waste disposal solution by connecting households with local recycling options. This map can encourage the community to recycle more actively by making it easier to locate facilities that purchase recyclables.

Increased Awareness

• Awareness Gains: Participant feedback indicated increased awareness of waste segregation and the economic potential of recycling. This enhanced understanding aligns with the project’s goals of fostering sustainable behaviors and encouraging household-level waste management initiatives.

Project Report

• Documentation for Future Studies: The project report not only serves as a comprehensive record of the initiative but also as an essential baseline for future studies on household waste management and Yangon’s informal recycling network. This report could serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and NGOs interested in developing sustainable waste management solutions in Myanmar.

Community Engagement

Project Launch Event: The event’s success in attracting 68 attendees from organizations such as Coca-Cola Myanmar, UNODC, Myanmar Environmental Solutions Co., Ltd., PTTEP, Bokashi Myanmar, BRIDGE, UN- – Habitat, and various startups reflects strong cross-sector interest and support for sustainable waste management in Yangon. This diverse attendance also aids in building a wider network for future collaboration.

• Volunteer Training: Eleven volunteers were trained in waste management and data collection, equipping them with practical skills to further the project’s objectives. This training empowered volunteers to become advocates for sustainable practices within their communities.
• Household Survey: Participation by 130 households across 30 townships is a significant achievement, providing valuable insights into waste management practices and perceptions in Yangon’s residential areas.
• Waste Management Training: Training 20 individuals in waste management is a strong foundation for ongoing education, contributing to a ripple effect of knowledge sharing within the community and supporting the project’s long-term impact.

Innovation and Creativity

Junk Shop Mapping

• Mapping 60 junk shops across 30 townships and sharing this information on digital platforms is impactful, as it promotes a practical waste disposal solution by connecting households with local recycling options. This map can encourage the community to recycle more actively by making it easier to locate facilities that purchase recyclables.
• Developed a Campaign Called ” လျှော့လည်းသုံးပါ ခွဲလည်းပစ်ပါ” with the collaboration with Thant Myanmar with a knowledge sharing video of waste segregation.

Sustainability & Replicability

The “Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal Project in Yangon” ensures sustainability by promoting waste segregation, supporting recycling systems, and fostering community ownership through education and capacity building, which leads to lasting environmental, economic, and social benefits. Its replicability lies in its scalable, low-cost interventions, such as household surveys, community engagement, and partnerships with local stakeholders, making it adaptable to various urban and rural contexts. By sharing findings, reports, and educational materials, the project provides a blueprint for other regions to address waste management challenges effectively, aligning with global sustainability goals like SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Additional Information 

Projet Activities

1. Project Launching: Organize an inaugural meeting with key stakeholders, such as Thant Myanmar, 3 Zero House Myanmar, and CLAM, to establish collaboration frameworks and officially launch the project on 14 September 2024 at 3 Zero House Myanmar.
2. Household Waste Management Survey: Conduct a survey to understand current waste disposal practices and identify local junk shops. This will serve as a baseline for measuring project impact.
3. Training Sessions: Organize workshops for volunteers, focusing on the importance of waste management and data collection methods. Two-day online training session on Urban and Rural Waste Management Systems with 20 attendances.
4. Mapping of Local Recycling Points/ Junk Shop: Mobilize volunteers to conduct comprehensive data collection efforts aimed at identifying and mapping junk shops and individuals involved in collecting recyclable materials within Yangon.
5. Awareness Campaigns: Through the report launch, organize a campaign to educate the public about waste segregation, recycling, and the environmental impact of improper waste disposal.
6. Project Report: Prepare a project report to share with the public with the survey results, findings, and recommendations.

Join Us & Vote for Our Initiative!

Support the “Towards Sustainable Waste Disposal Project” by pledging your climate action! Your vote helps us expand our impact and promote sustainable waste management in Myanmar. Together, we can drive real change and protect our environment for future generations.