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

E-WASTE
No published information exists on estimation
of quantity and disposition of e-wastes in the
country. The informal reports state that the
country imports substantial quantities of
electronic and electrical devices, but everything
goes back across the border for major repairs or
as scrap when it gets obsolete.
Findings
Only very few minor repair shops exist in the
country. Government agencies are the major
users of computers, printers and
telecommunication facilities. The Department
of National Properties receive/collect all the
discarded government properties including
cars and electric/electronic items. It is then sold
to private buyers through open auctions either
as reusable items or as scrap material. The
private parties then send it across the border
for major repairs or as scrap materials. The
electrical/electronic goods procured by the
international agencies, private agencies and
individual households go to secondhand
buyers. When it gets obsolete or requires
major repairs, it goes across the border, mainly
to India.
GAPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 3R
It is widely understood that applying 3Rs is an
innovative achievement towards tackling waste
challenges. The success of MSW management,
however, is subjected to proper assessment of
available technology and institutions that has
proactive policies and relevant legislations
emphasizing 3R-based solutions. Recycling is a
technological ability, whereas reduce and
reuse are management or policy oriented tools.
In Bhutan, recycling issues were addressed as
early as 1992 in the project document of the
solid waste management for Thimphu City, but
it lacked in implementation. This perhaps
could be due to primitive technological options
and insufficient awareness of the concept
among national policymakers and during
implementation Other than the National
Strategy & Action Plan for the Integrated Solid
Waste Management developed by the Ministry
of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS)
with assistance from UNEP, no national policy
papers address MSW management and,
specifically, the 3Rs issue.
TECHNOLOGY GAPS
For a landlocked mountainous terrain country
highly dependent on imported commodities, it
is essential that appropriate technology be
applied to tackle waste management problems;
at the source as well as at the intermediate and
the disposal management systems. The long
distance and high gradient mountain terrain
roads coupled with road maintenance
conditions escalates transportation cost. The
single location of the disposal site also increases
the transportation distance from most of the
suburbs. Scarcity of manpower especially skilled
workers willing to work in waste management
is another daunting challenge. Isolation of the
disposal sites into the forest loses sight and
attention of the influential policy makers on
solid waste management issues. Location of
disposal sitesin upstream water catchment areas
the risk of pollution and contamination. The
need of decentralized appropriate waste
management centers, waste separation at source
to ease waste management, establishment of
transfer stations to reduce transportation cost
and facilitate waste purification, location of
waste management centers in visible areas to
attract attention of all and downstream to
reduce exposure to population are seen as
crucial steps to address waste issues in Bhutan.
MANAGEMENT ASPECTS
Other than the Environmental Code of Practice
(ECoP) developed by the NEC in 2000 and the
Strategy & Action Plan for ISWM developed by
MoWHS in 2006, no solid waste management
specific policy exist. The policy documents
mainly focuse on forest and bio-diversity
conservation. A solid waste management policy
or legislative tool addressing trading and incountry
business system, people’s participation
and responsibilities towards achieving
sustainable solid waste management is urgently
required in the country. The following tables
present an overview of the management,
legislative and policy aspects of the country.
Few specific steps required to improve the solid
waste management situation in the country are
highlighted below:
• Sorting out the differences amongst the
involving agencies and making the
composting plant at Serbithang functional,
Chapter 3: Country Analysis
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