Parte 3 - GESTIÓN DE RESIDUOS SÓLIDOS

How to Manage Waste Responsibly?

Introduction to Responsible Consumption

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of responsible consumption as a means to minimize waste and manage resources effectively.

• Using reusable bags, such as cloth bags for shopping, is highlighted as a practical step towards reducing waste at the source.

Recycling and Waste Segregation

• The discussion includes recycling practices, advocating for the use of recyclable materials over non-recyclable ones like Styrofoam.

• The concept of the "3Rs" (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is introduced as essential principles in managing waste responsibly.

Economic and Environmental Benefits of Recycling

• Recycling not only saves money but also conserves natural resources by preventing deforestation through paper recycling.

• The creation of jobs in recycling industries is noted, showcasing how proper waste management can benefit local economies.

Practical Tips for Reducing Plastic Use

• Nine tips are provided for reducing single-use plastics: carry reusable bags, bottles, and containers; avoid disposable cutlery; and promote awareness among family and friends.

• Encouragement to share these practices on social media to raise awareness about environmental issues is emphasized.

Creative Reuse Ideas

• Suggestions include repurposing printed paper or using plastic bottles creatively for gardening or crafts.

• Various DIY projects using recycled materials are mentioned as fun ways to engage with sustainability efforts.

Legal Framework for Waste Management in Peru

• An overview of Peru's technical standard (NTP 90058 2019), which governs solid waste management practices at municipal levels.

Waste Management Practices in Peru

Overview of Waste Segregation

• The waste management system categorizes non-recyclable waste into black containers and hazardous waste into red ones, while municipal waste is organized using a color-coded system.

• In municipal management, four colors are used for segregation, expanding to seven colors in non-municipal contexts. Organic waste includes food scraps and garden debris.

Composting Initiatives

• Municipalities like Lima and Santiago de Surco have effective composting plants that utilize organic waste such as vegetable peels and fruit scraps to create compost.

• Individuals can also engage in small-scale composting at home to improve soil quality for gardening.

Municipal Waste Categories

• Municipal recycling requires proper cleaning of materials: glass bottles must be rinsed, plastic labels removed, and metal cans cleaned before disposal.

• Non-recyclable items include contaminated paper products and sanitary waste, which cannot be processed for reuse.

Hazardous Waste Management

• Hazardous wastes like batteries and expired medications must be disposed of in designated secure landfills due to their potential environmental risks.

Non-Municipal Waste Management

• Non-municipal categories mirror municipal systems but include specific types of office paper and packaging materials.

• Each type of material has its designated container color: white for plastics, yellow for metals, brown for organics, red for hazardous materials, gray for glass.

Compliance with Regulations

• Materials that have been in contact with hazardous substances must be treated as dangerous waste according to safety data sheets.

Legal Obligations in Waste Management

• The law mandates minimization of waste generation; if not possible, segregation at the source is required.

• Proper storage practices involve using correctly labeled containers based on the established color codes.

Collection and Transportation Requirements

• Selective collection can either be managed by an external service or internally within industrial facilities to enhance economic valuation of the waste.

Responsibilities of Municipalities

Municipal Waste Management and Recycling Initiatives

Overview of Municipal Waste Types

• Municipal waste includes residues from environmental testing laboratories, veterinary clinics, shopping centers, concerts, demolition or remodeling debris. Municipalities are mandated to implement segregation programs.

Obligations for Waste Segregation

• Municipalities must conduct selective collection and can either hire services for economic valorization or manage their own. There is a variety of management programs across municipalities, with some like Surco being exemplary while others like San Juan de Miraflores lack effective segregation plans.

Recycling Efforts in Surco

• A video showcases how the district of Surco recycles waste through its program "La Basura Sirve," which encourages residents to use orange bags for recyclable materials collected by the municipality.

• The largest recycling plant in the country is located in Surco. This facility was inaugurated in December 2015 and spans 4 hectares within the park "Voces por el Clima."

Process of Waste Segregation

• The plant processes around 50 tons of waste daily, with a goal to increase capacity to 70 tons. Currently, about 25,000 properties participate in source segregation.

• Residents have both moral and legal obligations to segregate waste. Proper segregation helps reduce deforestation (for paper production), chemical pollution (from glass manufacturing), and promotes a virtuous cycle of recycling.

Impact on Environment and Community Engagement

• The process involves crushing plastic bottles into compact blocks; it takes eight bags to create one block. This initiative generates revenue that is reinvested into improving the plant's operations.

• Upcoming initiatives include establishing collection points specifically for electronic devices to ensure proper disposal and second-hand usage.

Importance of Recycling Practices

• Emphasizing reuse helps mitigate tree cutting and chemical usage in manufacturing processes. Addressing climate issues requires collective action against human-induced environmental degradation.

Call for Broader Implementation

• Surco serves as a model municipality recognized internationally for its efforts against climate change. Other districts should adopt similar practices through enforced policies on waste segregation.

• Public sector employees can advocate for budget allocations towards implementing effective waste management systems similar to those seen in Surco.

Waste Management Regulations and Responsibilities

Municipal Waste Management Responsibilities

• The municipality imposes a special fee for waste generation exceeding 500 liters daily, requiring small businesses to hire a solid waste operator for transportation and final disposal.

Private Sector Compliance

• In private enterprises, compliance is divided into two groups: those without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and those that do not necessarily require one.

• Not having an EIA does not exempt projects from adhering to various legal obligations regarding solid waste management; older projects may have different requirements.

Environmental Management Instruments

• Projects with an approved EIA must follow specific environmental management guidelines detailing project descriptions, pre-execution conditions, and post-project obligations.

• An EIA outlines the project's impact on the environment, including community engagement strategies and required actions for environmental management.

Internal Waste Management Procedures

• Companies must maintain internal records of waste generation and management practices, which can be customized as per their operational needs.

• Contracts with solid waste operators are mandatory for transportation and final disposal; companies must ensure compliance with these contracts during inspections by regulatory bodies like OEFA.

Strategies for Waste Valorization

• Companies should implement strategies for waste valorization through internal procedures or partnerships with NGOs focused on economic valuation of waste materials.

• Collaborating with NGOs can facilitate social responsibility initiatives while managing waste effectively; funds raised can support local communities affected by the company's operations.

Legal Obligations in Case of Environmental Incidents

Environmental Management and Waste Handling

Importance of Documentation in Environmental Impact Assessments

• It is crucial to document potential environmental impacts, such as spills and waste generation, within the Initial Environmental Assessment (IGA). This documentation should outline restoration plans for affected areas.

• All processes must be recorded, including strategies for waste valuation, segregation methods, and storage area planning within the facility layout.

Rehabilitation and Environmental Compensation

• If a project impacts agricultural land or local communities, prior environmental compensation is necessary. This includes assessing how much land will be repurposed for waste management instead of agriculture.

• The compensation should reflect the economic loss incurred by landowners due to project implementation over an estimated period (e.g., 30 years).

Compliance with Regulatory Authorities

• Companies must not obstruct regulatory bodies like OEFA from conducting inspections; non-compliance can lead to sanctions.

• Annual declarations of solid waste must be submitted through SAR SOL, which is essential for compliance reporting.

Reporting Requirements and Challenges

• SAR SOL serves as the information system for solid waste management. Reports are due during the first 15 business days of April each year.

• Generators often face challenges with SIGERSOL but should maintain copies of reports submitted to avoid issues during inspections by OEFA.

Manifest System for Hazardous Waste Management

• Manifests track hazardous waste from collection through transportation to final disposal. Each step requires signatures from responsible parties confirming proper handling.

• Operators provide manifests that detail the journey of hazardous materials. These documents must be reported within specific timeframes after disposal events.

Record Keeping and ISO Standards

• Generators are required to keep records of manifests for five years. These records are subject to audits and should align with ISO 14000 standards if applicable.

• A comprehensive plan addressing minimization and management strategies for solid waste must be included in environmental management instruments approved by relevant authorities.

Strategies for Waste Segregation and Valuation

• Plans should clearly define concepts related to waste valuation, segregation practices, awareness training, reporting procedures, and record maintenance—all critical components needing approval from regional or sectoral authorities.

Challenges in Environmental Reporting for Non-Municipal Generators

Issues with User Registration and Document Submission

• The process for non-municipal generators to report is complicated due to the need for user registration, passwords, and specific installation details in their environmental management instruments.

• There were numerous complaints regarding fiscalization as fines were imposed for minor discrepancies in reports, such as decimal mismatches.

• Updates to the SIGERSOL portal have been slow, leading to confusion about reporting requirements; previous norms suggested continuing with traditional reporting methods via letters from legal representatives.

Recommendations for Compliance

• It was advised that companies maintain compliance by sending documents through appropriate channels based on their project specifications.

• A link was provided specifically for housing sector reports, emphasizing the importance of adhering to guidelines set forth by regulatory bodies like OEFA.

New Features of SIGERSOL Portal

• As of April, a new version of SIGERSOL has launched, requiring users to submit a sworn declaration containing organizational information upon entry.

• After approval of the declaration, users receive login credentials sent to their general manager or legal representative's email.

Data Entry Process

• Users must input detailed company data including RUC (tax identification), size, facilities involved, and production specifics into the system.

• The portal allows users to fill out various documents related to waste management such as hazardous waste manifests and annual declarations.

Reporting Deadlines and Record Keeping

• Important deadlines include submitting manifests within 5 business days after generating waste and annual declarations within 15 business days at the beginning of April following the year-end.

• Users are encouraged to keep internal records of submitted documents as proof during potential audits since technical issues may arise with online submissions.

Obligations and Incentives for Non-Municipal Generators

• Non-municipal generators must fulfill minimum documentation obligations linked to their environmental management instruments via SIGERSOL.

Importance of Certifications in Bidding Processes

Role of Certifications

• Having national or international certifications enhances an organization's score when applying for tenders, demonstrating effective management that exceeds legal requirements.

• Compliance with laws is essential, but going beyond basic legal obligations can lead to additional recognition and awards.

Waste Management Regulations

• Solid waste management plans must be integrated into the Environmental Management Strategy (Ema), as mandated by recent regulations.

• In case of emergencies related to solid waste, both generators and operators are required to report incidents within 24 hours, including specific details about the emergency.

Reporting Emergencies in Waste Management

Emergency Reporting Requirements

• Reports must include general information about the generator, a description of the emergency's origin, location details, and potential damages.

• Actions taken during emergencies should also be documented along with corrective measures planned for subsequent days.

Consequences of Non-compliance

• Failing to comply with reporting requirements can result in fines that negatively impact business operations and tender applications.

• Financial audits will highlight any penalties incurred; thus, transparency regarding fines is crucial for maintaining credibility.

Understanding Penalties and Appeals Process

Penalty Structure

• Initial fines may range from one to 100 UIT (Tax Units), which must be paid within five days. Discounts may apply if paid promptly.

• Repeated non-compliance leads to progressively higher fines; initial penalties can double upon subsequent violations.

Legal Framework

• The penalties are governed by Law 29325 concerning environmental evaluation and oversight. Violations can lead to severe consequences like project halts or operational suspensions.

Promoting Responsible Waste Generation Practices

Call to Action