Scoped ESIAs for Mechanical and Biological Treatment Facilities (MBTs):
- Within the framework of The National Solid Waste Management Program (NSWMP), co-funded by KfW, EU and The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), in association with COWI and Chemonics Egypt, Environics was commissioned to prepare Scoped ESIA studies for the establishment of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities, as part of an integrated Waste Management System for Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate that comprised: Metobus, Desouk and Kafr El-Sheikh MBTs and Baltim Landfill.
- MBT facilities will include equipment for waste sorting, for production of Refused Derived Fuel (RDF), and for windrow composting of organic waste. The facilities will receive the collected municipal solid wastes (MSW), while the reject (waste remaining after treatment at the MBT facilities) will be sent for final disposal in Baltim or another landfill planned within NSWMP.
- Environics prepared Three Scoped ESIA studies for the MBT facilities: Motobus (September 2020), Desouk (October 2020) and Kafr El-Sheikh (March 2022), in accordance with the relevant national legislations and regulations, International Financing Institutions requirements including IFC Performance Standards and KfW ESIA guidelines, and International Conventions to which Egypt is party. The ESIAs followed the latest version of the ESIA Guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Management Projects developed for NSWMP in 2019, including Appendix B – Supplement for MBT Facilities.
- Each study encompassed the following:
- Description of the key features of the construction and operation of the proposed Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility;
- Summary of environmental legislations relevant to the project;
- Description of the environmental status of the site and the hinterland, including physical, biological and socio-economic conditions;
- Baseline information obtained through intensive literature review and previous studies and reports on the area. CAPMAS statistics as well as from satellite maps and field visit to the site and interviews with local stakeholders;
- Analysis of alternatives;
- Assessment of Environmental impacts. The potential negative impacts and their significance were provided, and the relevant mitigation measures were recommended;
- The framework of the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan; and
- Public disclosure and stakeholder engagement, as per IFC Performance Standard 5 and the KfW Sustainability Guidelines.
ESIA for The Establishment of a New Landfill in Baltim (Markaz El-Burullus):
- Within the framework of The National Solid Waste Management Program (NSWMP), co-funded by KfW, the EU and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), in association with COWI and Chemonics Egypt, Environics was commissioned to prepare a full ESIA study, including the organization of a public consultation meeting, for the establishment of a new landfill in Baltim (Markaz El-Burullus), Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, for final disposal of the residual waste (reject) produced from the various Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities.
- The study was carried out over two phases to satisfy the Egyptian environmental Legal requirements, the international standards for funding institutions, as well as KFW requirements and the NSWMP – ESIA Guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Management Projects.
Phase I: Preparation of a Scoping Report (March 2020):
- The objective of the scoping process was to provide environmental and socio-economic information on the proposed landfill site and surrounding area.
- The scoping process entailed the following:
- -Brief description of the project, based on the data and information provided;
- Desktop baseline data covering the regulatory framework as well as physical, biological and socio-economic environment;
- Individual scoping meetings with relevant stakeholders;
- Site visit to the project area to refine and update baseline data;
- Preparing a Scoping Report including the main baseline information that would feed into the ESIA at a later stage, as well as providing a preliminary identification and assessment of potential impacts arising from project activities. In addition, the report included: stakeholders identification and engagement, conclusions and recommendations.
Phase II: Preparation of an ESIA study for the proposed Baltim Landfill (April 2022)
- Taking into consideration the results of the Scoping Report, and the requirements set by KfW, Environics prepared the project’s ESIA study that addressed the activities related to the construction and operation of Baltim Landfill.
- The scope of work included the following:
- Preparing a project description based on the data provided;
- Providing a summary of the legal and administrative framework;
- Collecting Baseline information through intensive literature review and previous studies and reports on the area, as well as from interviews with local stakeholders;
- Undertaking a site visit to the project area to refine and update baseline data;
- Analyzing project alternatives;
- Identifying potential impacts during construction and operation as well as the required actions needed to mitigate negative environmental and social impacts;
- Preparing an Environmental and Social Management Plan framework, including required monitoring measures; and
- Undertaking individual scoping meetings, as well as public consultation and disclosure with the project’s relevant Stakeholders.