Within the project a comprehensive survey and collection of data regarding waste arising’s, compositions, amounts and disposal pathways shall be carried out in a first step. Furthermore, the existing collection and transport infrastructure as well as the current legal framework will be analyzed. The investigation includes municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste, medical waste, industrial liquid waste and sludges.

In a second step, all landfills and dumpsites within the country will be evaluated comprehensively regarding their composition, expansion, and hazardous potential e.g. regarding groundwater pollution and gaseous emissions. For this purpose, geo-physical surveys will be done in combination with waste sampling, groundwater, gas- and leachate sampling. Furthermore, scenarios of future gas generation and leachate formation will be calculated by use of simulation models. 

All data will be prepared and provided within a web-based, interactive GIS-System (Environmental Monitoring Information System for Kuwait, eMISK). This powerful tool shall enable an individual data analysis and evaluation about the environmental impacts of waste management in Kuwait. Among others, waste treatment plants and landfills can be localized together with information about types of waste treated and the emission situation and compliance with the legal framework. Furthermore, results of off-line and on-line laboratory analysis and monitoring systems shall be implemented in the system. As an example, the odour emissions in the surrounding of landfills shall be monitored and displayed continuously in the eMISK system.

In a final step the national waste management strategy will be developed based on the data collected in the previous steps. Therefore, the existing legal framework will be amended and financial instruments will be developed in order to create the financial basis for the realization of an extended waste managment infrastructure. In a roadmap, goals, indicators and target values will be specified to implement measures for waste prevention and utilization as well as for safe future disposal of waste and sanitation of existing landfills. 

Fraunhofer UMSICHT feels proud and honored to having the opportunity to assist Kuwait during development of the future waste management strategy for the country. The waste management system foreseen by the Kuwait Environment Public Authority is sustainable, future oriented and will be beneficial for the whole country as it leads to a healthier environment, provides energy and raw materials for the country and offers employment options.