SAVE is working to address a lack of knowledge and experience in the management and implementation of small-scale solid waste management alternatives. To do this, SAVE is focused on demonstration projects that will showcase alternative approaches, working side-by-side with local managers. In addition, SAVE is working to demonstrate the link between effective solid waste management and water conservation. The aim is to develop viable, cost-effective alternatives for local managers that can be easily replicated in areas of similar size and scope.
SAVE is providing technical assistance for source separation, increasing public awareness about the environmental issues related to solid waste disposal, and fostering a culture of proper disposal, source separation, recycling, and composting. We are assisting the relevant authorities to set objectives and targets for the development of a waste management system and preparation of short term and long term waste management plans/strategies and to analyze options to cooperate on waste management operations.
The pilot project worked with 20 volunteer households who agreed to separate their organic kitchen and yard waste and use it for home composting. SAVE provided one custom-made rotating compost unit to each of these households, training in the home compost process, and monthly home visits to assess progress and provide any necessary technical assistance.
The results of this pilot project were significant. All households that continued to compost throughout the pilot had an 86% success rate producing mature, high-quality compost. Household waste in these households was reduced by over 40% on average, resulting in significantly less garbage being collected and ending up in the local dump site. The only significant issue with the pilot project was the overall participation and completion rate. 12 of the 20 households stayed with the pilot project to the end, four households quit during the program, and two households did not follow instructions and so were unable to produce compost.
 The overall purpose of the Home Composting Pilot Project was to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of home composting, to reduce the volume of organic wastes in local dump sites and landfills, and to analyze the results and lessons learned to determine how best to replicate this type of program more broadly across the Turkish Cypriot community (TCC). The program was specifically targeted at smaller communities, like Beyarmudu/Pergamos, because these communities will not be integrated into central efforts to improve the solid waste infrastructure until after the major population centers, likely not for several years. Thus, small investments now can have an immediate effect on critical local solid waste management needs.
Some representative SAVE activities and pilot demonstration projects in solid waste management practices are as follows:
- Redesign and rationalization of an entire municipal waste collection system in Beyarmudu (Pergamos). This included a detailed solid waste management assessment which led to SAVE recommendations and support for the closure of 2 of the 3 small local dump sites, site improvements to the remaining dump site, new collection routes and timings and implementation of a home composting pilot project.
- Establishment of a mulching station in Lefke/Lefka to make productive use of the disposal of tree and brush trimmings and contribute significantly to local water conservation efforts through training and outreach on the use of mulch for gardens, farms and orchards..
- “Managing Your Trash” public workshop on landfill design and operations, management of special wastes, and economic aspects of waste management.
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