Overview Like many municipalities in Asia, Mahasarakham town in the northeast region of Thailand faces the massive challenge of escalating volumes of solid waste along with deficient landfill infrastructure, technical skills, and regulation. While Mahasarakham does have formal and informal waste collection, the municipality’s landfill site runs as an uncontrolled dump posing significant threat to surface and groundwater. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided technical assistance on mainstreaming solid waste management to Mahasarakham and four other cities in Asia. Key assistance was a review and upgrade of municipal 10-year plans for solid waste management plus one tailored project per city. Issues covered were waste avoidance, minimization, and recycling; waste haulage and disposal; and information, education and communication campaigns. In Mahasarakham, after consulting stakeholders, the project team and the municipality developed and agreed on an enhanced integrated solid waste management plan. Due to strong interest from the municipality, the project team also conducted a pre-feasibility study into how the private sector could fill the technical gaps required for developing a controlled landfill site. A key element of the project was the series of meetings with private providers to gauge interest in in design, remediation, construction, and operation of a controlled landfill site through a public-private partnership. Project Information 46248-001 : Regional Capacity Development Technical Assistance on Mainstreaming Solid Waste Management in Asia Project Snapshot Dates April 2015 : Project start March 2017 : Project end Cost US$ 1.4 million : Total cost of technical assistance over 2 years Institutions / Stakeholders Financing : Asian Development Bank Others : Government of Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) Others : Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Others : Department of Energy Others : Ministry of Energy and Business Others : Buriram Municipality: Stakeholders Challenges The landfill in Mahasarakham town operates as an uncontrolled dumpsite. Employees demonstrated low technical knowledge of how a controlled landfill site should operate. For example, the majority of the site had uncovered waste placed at very flat slopes, which generates landfill leachate and associated hazards. Leachate was observed flowing off the dumpsite perimeter onto neighboring properties. More specifically, when developing cells at the site the operator has constructed a perimeter of earthen bund, which has the potential to form a large dam. At the time of inspection, in the dry season, it was already partially full with a large volume of landfill leachate. The problem of leachate will be exacerbated if the approach to developing a series of enclosed bunds and then a plateau mound with a flat top continues even if suitable final cover is applied. Leachate will contaminate local surface waters with potential to pollute local groundwater reserves. There are also many areas where waste has been placed in an uncontrolled manner resulting in areas of exposed waste throughout the site. While the current landfill design and operation are creating extensive environmental problems, discussions with operators and managers indicated that the city would not be able to run a controlled landfill to an appropriate standard without ongoing external support. In addition, the city has a priority to minimize the quantity of residuals going to landfill. City officers expressed interest in converting waste to energy, particularly refuse derived fuel or RDF as a possible method of diverting waste. This is a process in which waste is separated and prepared to “RDF 2” quality then transported and sold to modern cement kiln owners that buy it as a coal substitute for the heating process. Solutions The pre-feasibility study confirmed that solid waste management challenges would be best addressed by a private contractor taking full control of operations and being compensated for construction, remediation as per agreed milestones, and for operations on the basis of fee per ton of new waste. There would be a deduction if the private operator failed to achieve specified performance targets. This ensures that a fixed price is agreed upon for construction and remediation costs and that there is year-to-year stability in the operating budget. The study included a scope of works for a private contract, including design for the remediation of the existing dumpsite, accepting new waste on a daily basis, and design and development of a new controlled landfill. The remediation works would require the waste to be re-profiled, compacted, and covered with soil while it waits to be incorporated into the controlled landfill. The controlled landfill design would involve the development of a suitably profiled valley formation for the first cell, complete with a suitable impermeable liner and incorporation of leachate collection drains. Leachate would then be directed to a pump station from which it would either be irrigated in dry weather or reinjected/stored during the wet weather periods. The design would allow for the entire landfill site to eventually be integrated into one mound to maximize site airspace efficiency, as well as cost recovery efficiency for the capital works. It also has the added benefit of maximizing the incorporation of steep batter slopes on the site, thereby minimizing rain water infiltration and greatly reducing leachate generation rates. Under the municipality’s 10-year integrated solid waste management plan, the city will complement the public-private partnership activities with extensive information, education, and communication campaigns to help reduce the amount of waste reaching the landfill. Financial tables for Landfill Development and Operation A: Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) No. Item Unit Quantity Cost (US$) THB (million) CAPEX financed by the operator (excluded from the design-build-operate or DBO contract) Landfill Operating Equipment 1 Dozer (Caterpillar D6 or equivalent with landfill blade) Item 1 200,000 2 Excavator/ end Loader - assume Caterpillar D200 or equivalent Item 1 150,000 3 10 wheeler tipping dump truck Item 1 70,000 4 8,000L Water tank with pump Item 1 12,000 TOTAL 432,000 15.103 Sensitivity 1 THB = Thai baht, US$ = US dollar No. Item Unit Value 1 Equipment Years depreciation 7 2 Civil works Years depreciation N/A 3 Annual depreciation equipment US$ 60,000 4 Annual depreciation equipment THB N/A CAPEX included in the DBO contract 5 Total CAPEX in DBO contract US$ 1,006,130 6 Total CAPEX in DBO contract THB million 35.174 7 Years repayment DBO to operator years 2 8 Annual payment DBO to operator US$ 569,627 9 Annual payment DBO to operator THB 19.914 THB = Thai baht, US$ = US dollar B: Operating Expenditure (OPEX) Item Description Hours / day Number No. of days / year Rate (US$) Unit Annual cost (US$) General Manager (office based mainly) 8 1 312 1,750.00 month 21,000 Site Engineer (Part time) 8 1 52 1,200.00 month 14,400 Site Supervisor 8 1 365 800.00 month 9,600 Dozer Driver 8 1 365 350.00 month 4,200 Excavator Driver 8 1 365 350.00 month 4,200 Truck Driver 8 1 365 300.00 month 3,600 Gate keepers/clerk recording waste loads 8 2 365 260.00 month 6,240 General Hands 8 8 365 260.00 month 24,960 Dozer Caterpillar D6 or equivalent 6 1 312 25 hour 46,800 Excavator/Loader Caterpillar 200 series or equivalent 2 1 312 20 hour 12,480 Truck Rigid body 6 X 4 10 wheel tipper 2 1 312 20 hour 12,480 15 Dewatering pump for cell internal rain 5L/s relocatable diesel motor sump pump 24 1 40 2 hour 1,920 Leachate Pumps 5kW electric motor driving a submersible progressive cavity pump 4 1 365 2 hour 2,920 Cover soil Assume 10% soil to waste volume on average 4,140 12 Cubic Metres 49,680 Topographical Survey of landfill Annual 1 Item 5,000 Minor items and utilities Allowance for general office power, water, phone and other minor items, such as signage 1 Item 18,000 TOTAL 237,480 C: Income statement Income Statement (THB million) Year 1 2 3 4 5 1 Revenues 33.924 34.777 14.863 15.309 15.768 1.1 Annual O&M contract payment 14.010 14.863 14.863 15.309 15.768 1.2 DBO milestone payment 19.914 19.914 2 Operating expenditures 13.701 14.112 14.112 14.536 14.972 2.1 Total O&M 13.701 14.112 14.112 14.536 14.972 3 Operating Results (EBITDA) 20.223 20.665 0.751 0.773 0.797 4 Other costs 1.970 0.985 0 0 0 4.1 Depreciation equipment 0 0 0 0 0 4.2 Interest loan 1.970 0.985 0 0 0 5 Net profit/loss before corporate income tax 18.25 19.68 0.75 0.77 0.80 6 Corporate income tax 4.56 4.92 0.19 0.19 0.20 7 Net profit/loss after corporate income tax 13.69 14.76 0.56 0.58 0.60 EBITDA = Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization, O&M = Operations and maintenance, THB = Thai baht Results Under the integrated solid waste management plan, Mahasarakham will enhance its waste minimization program through a range of IEC campaigns. These will include promoting the use of biodegradable bags and food containers and the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle and segregating waste. The valuable segregated waste can then be sold. The new plan allows for controlled scavenging at controlled landfills because this attains a high level of recycling efficiency. The municipality will consider increasing waste collection and disposal fees along with proposed national legislation and apply the extra revenue to ongoing waste minimization campaigns. The municipality will reduce food waste going to the landfill through the promotion of organic waste composting by households. This will significantly reduce wastes generated per day because food waste makes up a large fraction of municipal waste. Mahasarakham recycling eWaste facility. Photo credit: Lyndsay Chapple. Lessons Unrealistic marketing of refuse derived fuel The sales and marketing teams of RDF companies were convincing municipalities in Thailand that refuse derived fuel is an economically feasible solution. The project team met with some of these companies to present the results of a pre-feasibility study from another project city, Buriram. The companies then admitted to the Mahasarakham officials that their proposal was not economically feasible under present conditions. This approach of presenting quality data to marketing teams was very successful. It could be adopted in other cities to explain the realities of implementing refuse derived fuel and waste to energy projects. Changes required to regulation of landfill design The current landfill design requirements in Thailand limit the mound height to effectively four lifts or 10 to 12 meters. This greatly reduces site development efficiency in terms of airspace per unit area, and therefore increases the development costs and reduces landfill life. This approach also results in flat top landfills, which increases leachate generation rates that may lead to environmental issues. The project team presented this issue to the most senior members of Thailand’s Pollution Control Department and recommended the restriction be removed to improve landfill life, cost efficiency, and minimize environmental impact. Public-private partnerships to fill technical and skill gaps The major lesson was that a public-private partnership would be the most effective way to improve landfill design, remediation, construction, and operation. The private sector would bring the essential skills and knowledge to improve landfill development. The municipal officers and the private sector operators supported this recommendation. Resources Asian Development Bank. 2017. Integrated Solid Waste Management for Local Governments: A Practical Guide. Mandaluyong City. Asian Development Bank. Regional Capacity Development Technical Assistance on Mainstreaming Solid Waste Management in Asia Prefeasibility Study on Landfill Upgrading Design Build Operate Contract: Mahasarakham, Thailand Ask the Experts Andrew McIntyre Former Head of Project Administration Unit, East Asia Department, Asian Development Bank Andrew McIntyre headed the project administration unit of the East Asia Urban and Social Sectors Division at ADB. He also led ADB’s Future Cities Program, operationalizing a One ADB approach to better engage with Asian cities over the long term, by facilitating cross-sectoral knowledge and financing partners, broadening project pipelines, and ensuring integrated results. Follow Andrew McIntyre on Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. Follow Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.