Tendering for disposal of residual and bulky wastes, Austria

Fichtner prepared, in accordance with Austrian contract award legislation, service tender documents for the disposal of 100,000 t/a of unrecyclable wastes to meet Austrian regulations on landfills. The options were, firstly, mechanical waste pretreatment at the present facility followed by thermal treatment and, secondly, thermal waste treatment without pretreatment. In both cases, treatment is to be followed by disposal of the residue in a hazardous waste landfill.

Training of waste management experts, Hungary

For a project financed by the EU under the EuropeAid program, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, a program for further training of waste management experts from all regions of Hungary was developed and implemented. During week-long seminars at four venues, instruction was given in implementing EU directives on waste management as well as adaptation and introduction of corresponding Hungarian laws and ordinances. During a closing seminar in Budapest, specific topics in connection with preparation of regional waste management concepts were tackled in greater depth.

Feasibility study and implementation of waste management concept, Bulgaria

Fichtner prepared a feasibility study for disposal of municipal solid waste from the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. During the initial phase, the previously planned waste management concept was reviewed. This included evaluation of potential plant locations and conducting hydrogeological investigations. Building on these findings, Fichtner prepared the basic concept for the recommended plant configuration, including an economic analysis under particular consideration of integration of mechanical-biological and thermal treatment technologies. Fichtner then drew up tender specifications for construction of the facilities and assisted Sofia City Council in preparing an application for financing from the EU Structural Funds.

Technical support for implementation of the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Romania

With the aim of building up expertise at relevant environmental authorities and the principal target groups for the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in Romania, Fichtner is providing technical support for the Ministry of the Environment in its implementation. Alongside working out a concept for a WEEE management system, this comprises preparing detailed cost estimates and providing support in setting up specific components of the required organizational units. Additionally, technical requirements are formulated, manuals and information brochures on collection of and resources recovery from waste equipment are compiled, and training courses and public education events are held.

Regional waste management plans, Romania

Under this project, financed with support funds under the EU’s PHARE Program, Fichtner was awarded a contract for drawing up all regional waste management plans throughout Romania. The services covered working out eight complete regional waste management plans, for municipal solid waste and commercial waste of similar makeup as well as hazardous waste. Fichtner also provided support for strengthening administrative structures and competencies for successful and sustainable implementation and monitoring of these waste management plans.

Feasibility study and waste management concept, Mauritius

This feasibility study to determine the volumes and composition of solid wastes – household, commercial, industrial, hazardous, etc. – was prepared under a contract to the World Bank. Included in particular were reviews of various technology options under consideration of their costs and their technical and economic viability, as well as checks of candidate sites. Fichtner also reviewed the constraints and conditions for introduction of an integrated management system, and submitted recommendations for institutional, financial and legal framework conditions, tariff structures, and financing mechanisms.

Waste management concept with proposals for waste management privatization, Oman

Fichtner prepared, for Muscat City Council, a concept for waste collection, transportation and disposal. The organizational structures together with staff responsibilities and duties of the waste management agency were analyzed with a view to possible privatization. Furthermore, Fichtner was entrusted with drawing up tender documents, bid evaluation and contract negotiations for the recommended facilities, comprising transfer stations, recycling plants and disposal facilities.

Waste management concept for the Dubai Pearl Project, United Arab Emirates

For the Dubai Pearl Project – a municipal development scheme in the heart of the Dubai Media and Technology Free Zone – Fichtner was awarded a contract by the project company, Pearl Dubai FZ LLC, to make a forecast of the anticipated waste production and to draw up a waste management concept. The building complex, characterized by luxury apartments and hotels as well as upmarket office suites, is a particular challenge for the waste collection system. As far as possible, wastes are to be collected inconspicuously, pre-segregated by category as far as possible, and then transported away. The limited vehicle maneuvering space in the lower stories requires space-saving installations, including an automated vacuum system for transporting waste to the central transfer station.

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Privatization of waste management in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

For privatization of waste management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Fichtner first analyzed the legal, regulatory and institutional background, made an appraisal of the existing physical assets, and developed a waste management concept, including siting of facilities that would be required in the future. Based on the findings, our experts developed a comprehensive waste management masterplan for all municipal solid wastes together with a strategy for privatizing the various services. A financing model was also developed with a concept for inviting tenders for the services. The documents for two requests for tenders under a BOT scheme were drawn up and support provided during bid evaluation and negotiations with bidders. During realization, Fichtner was entrusted with supervising the planning and construction phases for all facilities for waste treatment and disposal, as well as with providing technical support during commissioning. Fichtner also trained the staff of the responsible administrative agency in site supervision and administration of the services contract. A concept for monitoring the services and quality control was adopted.

Service tender for operation of a hazwaste treatment plant, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Various options for outsourcing services for operation and maintenance of a facility for treating hazardous waste were compared under contract to the operator company. Based on the results and in close collaboration with the operator company, Fichtner drew up the tender documents and provided support for prescreening candidate bidders as well as during tendering.

Feasibility study for recovery of thermal energy from wastes, Qatar

Under a contract to the Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Resources (SCENR), Fichtner prepared a feasibility study for recovery of thermal energy from industrial wastes. In particular, investigations were to be made into the extent that an existing cement plant could be incorporated for waste treatment. The potential quantities of wastes from the various industrial regions in Qatar were determined, impacts on the environment assessed and the repercussions for operation of the existing plant revealed.

Waste management concept for the City of Eriwan, Armenia

In Armenia’s capital, Eriwan, 330,000 t of municipal solid waste is generated annually. Fichtner was awarded a contract by the World Bank to draw up a waste management concept. This encompassed sustainable upgrading of waste collection and city cleansing, landfill improvement and effective collection of waste charges, together with provision of the statutory basis. The present waste management system suffers from aging collection vehicles and insufficient funding because, due to poor waste collection, only 56% of waste generators pay their waste collection dues. Fichtner recommends modernization of the vehicle fleet and the landfill, administration of waste charges by the city council and, under particular consideration of options for tying in private companies, revamping the statutory framework.

Privatization of waste management in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Fichtner was retained by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to develop and implement measures for modernization, restructuring and partial privatization of the waste management facilities of the City of Tashkent. A particular focus was formulation of a new tariff structure and publicity measures to sensitize the general public to reconfiguring the collection system.

Hazardous waste concept in Karnataka, India

Under a contract to the German Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Fichtner prepared a study on proper collection of hazardous wastes followed by their treatment and disposal in the State of Karnataka, and conducted project-flanking measures under consideration of technical, legal, organizational, economic and social aspects.

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Strategy for integrated waste management in Singapore

First Fichtner reviewed Singapore’s present waste management concept with the aim of minimizing unrecyclable wastes by reduction and resources recovery. Based on a comparison of the situation in Singapore with that in ten industrialized countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe, a plan of action for further minimization of these wastes was developed, covering organizational, technical, institutional and legislative measures. Considered were the latest technological developments in re-use of recycled materials. Fichtner drew up a detailed plan of action, together with strategies for tying in the private sector.

Strategic concept for collection and treatment of hospital wastes in Bandung, Indonesia

Under a contract to the World Bank, Fichtner conducted an investigation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Environment into the disposal of hospital wastes in the Region of Bandung. The present collection and treatment system was assessed and on this basis a strategic concept developed, presenting proposals for management of collection, transportation and treatment. Furthermore, Fichtner prepared feasibility studies for construction and operation of the required new facilities while pointing out measures for upgrading existing ones.

Waste management master plan and privatization of waste management, Turks & Caicos Islands

In 2005 Fichtner was awarded the contract to develop a waste management master plan for the Turks & Caicos Islands (8 islands, 20,000 inhabitants) as well as to render planning/engineering services and to prepare the tender documents for the construction of new landfills on Providenciales and Grand Turk. The project was financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CBD). The aim of the master plan is to implement a sustainable, socially acceptable and environmentally compatible system of waste management. On the basis of the master plan, the Government decided to set up its own waste management company and to privatize parts of the system. Fichtner was commissioned by the Ministry to develop a privatization strategy and the legal framework for the establishment of a private waste management company in public ownership. Further tasks included preparation of the tender documents and provision of support in relation to the privatization of two new landfills on Grand Turk and Providenciales as well as of waste collection and waste transportation for six of the eight islands. Financing is out of the Government's own funds.

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Municipal waste management concept for Bogotá, Colombia

On behalf of the local authority, Fichtner prepared a conceptual study on waste reduction and possibilities for recovery and recycling. This included planning systems for waste collection and transportation together with treatment and disposal facilities. Other key aspects were proposals for official agency structures and the development of programs for public information, with preparations made for their implementation.

Waste management masterplan for Paraguay’s eastern regions and feasibility study for three towns, Paraguay

Under contract to the German reconstruction loan agency, KfW, Fichtner drew up a waste management masterplan for Paraguay’s eastern regions. Following analysis of the present situation, measures were described for improving in particular waste collection, transportation and landfill disposal, and an integrated waste management concept was developed for general coverage of the region. To provide examples, for the towns of Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazú and Villarica, Fichtner drew up a plan of action for their institutional collaboration in this region’s waste management sector, reached agreement on this with the communities and prepared its implementation.

Waste management masterplan for the city and region of Montevideo, Uruguay

Under a contract with the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), the waste management and ecological situation of the city and region of Montevideo, with a total population of over 1.7 million and an annual waste production of 800,000 t, was recorded and analyzed. On this basis, Fichtner prepared an integrated waste management concept for all waste types. Particular emphases are reorganization of institutional structures for waste disposal, integration of informal waste sorters, recommendations for technologies to be applied, designation of new sites for waste disposal, as well as financing investments in facilities and their future operation.

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Technical due diligence and market study for mechanical-biological waste treatment, Germany

Fichtner prepared, under consideration of current European and national legislation, a market study on digestion technologies for waste treatment in the EU up to 2010, in which available and mature plant concepts were compiled, evaluated and described, stating their market shares.

Evaluation of general technical concept for an RDF manufacturing plant, Germany

Under a contract to a local authority’s own operational unit, Fichtner assessed the general technical concept of a facility for treating domestic and commercial wastes, with refuse derived fuel (RDF) as its product. This covered a check for agreement with the technical principles of the financing model chosen in the past, evaluation of short-term technical measures for eliminating production bottlenecks, as well as a rough estimate of capital and operating costs should the throughput capacity be raised. Furthermore, the cash flow for plant operation was reviewed and measures for raising the operating economy of the plant as a whole over the long term were worked out.

Economic assessment and risk evaluation of waste management options, Germany

For repositioning the waste management activities of Altenkirchen District Authority, Fichtner investigated various possibilities. One option was to upgrade the technology of a refuse treatment facility operated jointly with other district authorities, and continue its operation. The options were compared under economic and risk aspects.

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