A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

The objective of the analyses was to identify the
gaps in both technology and management
aspects on the implementation of 3R in the
selected countries. These analyses were done
based on both qualitative and quantitative
information supported by concrete evidences of
prevailing practices in waste management,
especially, urban municipal waste, healthcare
waste and e-waste.
Conducting a gap analysis for the
implementation of 3R broadly involves the
following stages:
1. Obtaining country specific information
on waste management practices, focusing
on Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle aspects.
2. Collecting information on waste
characteristics, composition, generation,
private sector involvement in collection,
transport and disposal systems.
3. Identifying priority areas for action
based on available information.
4. Preparing a list of available technologies
common in all countries and mapping the
country specific results with it.
5. Collecting and consolidating management
related information such as policies and
regulations, international initiatives,
mechanisms for awareness raising etc.
6. Subjective evaluation of the present waste
management status compared to
those being currently used in some
developed countries.
7. Comparing the technology management
related aspects on a common platform on
par with the developed Asian countries.
chapter 2
Methodology
The countries chosen for the study were
grouped into three categories based on their
best available waste disposal technologies,
relevant policy measures and enforcing
regulations.
1. Japan, Korea and Singapore form the group
of developed Asian countries with good
practices of waste management in terms of
implementation efforts, policies and relevant
legislations.
2. Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
Thailand and Vietnam form the group of
developing Asian countries systematically
planning to achieve better waste
management through progressive policies
and plans.
3. Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos are the aspiring
nations looking forward to proactive policies
and waste management measures.
For example, Japan, Korea and Singapore have
direct legislations enforcing recycling and reuse
of discarded materials.
Similarly, in Bangladesh, legislations
preventing the use of plastic carry bags are
strong. On the other hand, Bhutan and
Cambodia, have been trying to provide a
conducive setting to promote better waste
management practices.
Overall, it could be noted that the developed
Asian countries are one-step ahead in terms of
implementing what the other countries have
been envisaging. Though this sends a positive
signal from the perspective of progress, a gap
in achieving the desired goals exists.
Chapter 2: Methodology
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