Title:
Efficient and sustainable waste management methodologies using ICT tools enabling GHG emissions reduction
Grant agreement no.: LIFE13 ENV/ES/000725
Life EWAS aims to foster innovation in the area of public and private interest of waste management by demonstrating the potential of new information technologies to optimize current EU waste management operational methodologies and to establish a way forward for the standard adoption of a more sustainable model. More specifically, it will transfer and adapt experiences from successful waste prevention and collection activities with the prospect of gaining knowledge for the wider transferability of such activities in different EU context. EWAS aims to ensure a sustainable management of natural resources and wastes with emphasis on energy efficiency and contributing with the reduction of GHG emissions, noise and traffic congestion during the waste collection and transportation.
EWAS project objectives include:
1. Evaluate EU policy and legislation (Waste Framework Directive) options and opportunities related to waste management collection practices.
2. Contribute on mobilising ICTs to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy waste management methodologies. The overall aim is to contribute with the EU objectives in relation to GHG reduction for 2020 in the waste management sector.
3. Develop appropriate environmental assessment, implementation and monitoring activities related to different waste collection methodologies and the respective benefits to improve current waste management practices.
- Improvement of people's quality of life
- Reduce environmental impact comparing with current methodologies
- Increase waste recycling level and citizens' cooperation
- Reduce investment and operational costs, noise and traffic problems
4. Demonstrate the optimization of waste management practices (Local Action Plans) through the implementation of the EWAS model at a local and sectoral level.
5. Increase the awareness of new waste collection methodologies, provide training and disseminate information for the active participation of local stakeholders.
6. The final objective of EWAS is to create, implement and demonstrate the impact and increased sustainability of waste collection methodologies by using innovative ICT solution at the same time as it raise awareness about recycling, saves costs and reduces GHG emissions in compliance with the EU 2020 goals.
Expected results:
Reduction of the cost of waste management activities by 15-30% and GHG emissions by over 10%; Detailed analysis of existing waste collection methodologies and European legislative frameworks and the new opportunities using ICT tools; Integrated ICT solution to increase waste management efficiency that will be assessed using different usability and performance indicators and by conducting surveys of the pilot users and external citizens; Innovative waste management methodologies based on advanced ICT Tools that will reduce GHG emissions, noise pollution and costs.
ACTION 1: Preparatory actions.
Initial analysis and definition of specific requirement of the implementation actions. Creation of an inventory of the methodologies and technologies related with efficient waste management and applicability for real environments. Extensive analysis of European and national legislative frameworks as well as comparison between national laws and EU directives to consider under the waste collection methodologies. Evaluation of most common waste collection methodologies in Europe with special focus on Mediterranean countries and in particular in the specific areas of implementation of the EWAS model. Analysis of the EWAS implementation requirements. Definition of monitoring Key Performance Indicators
ACTION 2: Implementation actions.
Implementation of the new waste management methodologies and best practices using ICT tools for an efficient waste collection. Development of waste Management methodologies and best practices using ICT. Installation of an efficient ICT tool to optimize waste collection methodologies. Demonstration actions which include two pilot areas. Creation of maintenance manuals.
ACTION 3: Monitoring the environmental, methodological, social and financial impact in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of EWAS methodologies in waste management.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for all processes implemented, in terms of energy use and emissions. Assessment of the impact of waste collection optimization to conform with the improvements detected. Technical, economical and environmental assessment of the practices and processes developed during the project. Periodical monitoring and optimization of the demonstration activities. Establishment of a set of actions, measures, and means that should be taken by national policy makers to conform to European legislation requirements.
ACTION 4: Communication and dissemination
Integrated communication and dissemination Plan. Increase the awareness of the stakeholders of the improvement of current methodologies using new technological advances. Increase the awareness of recycling to the citizens. Alignment with other initiatives in the same area to approach the common European objective.
ACTION 5: Project management and monitoring of the project progress
Project Management for administrative, technical and financial issues. Report to the European Commission Networking with other LIFE+ projects After-LIFE Communication Plan
"17-18/07/14 - Kick Off Meeting of the EWAS Project, Seville Spain"
"07-08/11/14 - 2nd EWAS partners' meeting, Vilanova, Barcelona, Spain"
"3-4 March 2015 - 3rd EWAS partners' meeting, Seville, Spain"
"23-24 September 2015- 4th EWAS Work Meeting in Chania, Greece"
"25 September 2015-Life EWAS Regional Workshop in Chania, Greece "
"1-2 February 2016- Life EWAS Technical Meeting in Barcelona, Spain"
"13 July 2016- Life EWAS Technical Meeting in Athens, Greece"
"14 July 2016- Life EWAS Workshop in Athens, Greece"
