In view of the nature of the waste a ‘fore and aft’ trailer was designed with a capacity of 7 m³ and a loading height of 1.2 m. Its application is appropriate for high density waste and with a fully enclosed body it is more hygienic during loading and transportation. The hydraulics allow for two way movement of the container. A large, low full width hopper at the rear is loaded with wastes and the body then tips forwards to allow the wastes to fall into the front of the body. For discharge the body tips backwards. Handcarts were provided to facilitate collection in very narrow streets and additional bins were provided along main streets.

The existing box trailers were upgraded by cutting doors into one side of each trailer while increasing the sides from 0.4 m. to 1.0 m. This had the effect of reducing the loading height from 1.9 to 1.5 m. and increasing the capacity from 2.5 to 7.0 m³.

The ‘fore and aft’ trailer is capable of serving 6,870 households with a workforce comprising 2 supervisors, 17 sweepers and 1 driver. The modified trailers are used as back up and for collecting waste from outlying satellite villages.

The ‘fore and aft’ movement of the trailer designed for use
in Bardees

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Community participation, focus group discussions and awareness raising was an integral part of the project. Community views were sought from the beginning which helped in the design of the system and enabled perceived problems to be addressed.

Consultation with the waste collection workers helped to identify environmentally unsound practices of residents like dumping of household waste, ash from ovens and construction waste in the streets and in the central canal. On the other hand, women expressed their opinion about the behaviour of street sweepers, the inadequate coverage of the service, and the low standard of cleansing.

The head of the local council was very supportive throughout the project. The council organised a number of meetings and promotional campaigns.

Three Community Development Associations (CDAs) were involved in awareness-raising: the Association for Qur’an Memorisation and Family Care, the Muslim Youth Organisation and the Soldiers of Jesus Association. The first CDA reached out to women through its literacy classes, sewing centre and day-care centre. Members of the second CDA, all young people from Bardees, distributed leaflets to shop owners to urge them to put their waste in garbage bins and to take care of trees. Posters were hung in their library, social club and cultural centre and meetings were organised to raise the awareness of youth. The third CDA organised awareness-raising in its own building and in two churches.

Additional awareness raising activities included door to door discussions and group meetings organised by the local council and the community.

Some of the key stakeholders involved included:
 

Key Stakeholder Groups and their Roles

Community residents

expressing views on improvements to waste collection  involved in women focus group discussions participated in awareness-raising  willing to pay for improved service

Local council

planning and co-ordination operation of waste collection service involved in awareness raising

Governorate

planning and implementation

CDAs and NGOs

involved in design and implementation of awareness-raising to be involved in operation and user fee collection

Waste collection workers

involved in focus group discussions provide feedback on improvements to the system help prepare environmental messages

Religious leaders

involved in awareness-raising

Institute of Social Work, Sohag

conducted social survey  facilitated focus group discussions