Green and Clean Mobility: exploring the beauty of cycling

Sustainable transportation has gained immense importance in an era where environmental concerns have taken center stage. Green and clean mobility can be achieved through cycling, which has emerged as an attractive option. Worldwide, cycling has captured the hearts of people due to its numerous benefits for both the individual and the planet. It is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly mode of transportation that requires no fuel and helps reduce air pollution. Cycling also promotes physical fitness and reduces stress. Ultimately, it is a great way to enjoy nature and explore the world around us. Looking at why cycling has become a symbol of sustainable transportation will open our eyes to its beauty.

Promoting sustainable transportation through cycling requires a multi-faceted approach that includes urban planning, policy changes, infrastructure development, public awareness campaigns, and individual choices. By embracing cycling as a viable mode of transportation, communities can reduce their environmental footprint, improve public health, and create more livable and vibrant urban spaces.

Cycling is highly encouraged and well integrated into the transportation system in Germany. The country has made significant efforts to promote cycling as an eco-friendly and healthy mode of transportation. Comparing cycling between Dresden, Germany, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and Bangkok, Thailand, involves examining various factors such as infrastructure, cultural norms, policies, and overall cycling culture. Please note that these two Global South countries are diverse with significant differences, so this comparison will provide a general overview rather than specific details about each country.

The bicycle does not understand nationalities; it accepts everyone equally. It could be said to be the most democratic mode of transport. It creates value for society not only in terms of mobility but also in terms of habitability, sustainability, health, sociability, gender integration, etc. Moreover, a bicycle not only benefits those who pedal its wheels but also extends its positive impact to others.

Here are some key points to consider when discussing sustainable transportation through cycling:

1. Infrastructure

Germany: Germany is known for its well-developed cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bicycle lanes, cycling paths, and bicycle-friendly roads. The Dresden cycling infrastructure design has the main characteristics of the most significant elements of the public road. It can be distinguished between the bicycle lanes, the priority lanes for bicycles (lanes marked red), bicycles as guest areas, and zones of cars as guests, of these last two, it is recommended to limit the circulation speed. To calm traffic, in addition to reducing speed limits, changes must be made to the infrastructure, such as those curbs that have been called devilish.

Bolivia: Infrastructure for cycling varies widely across cities. Some cities have started to invest in cycling infrastructure, while others may have limited or underdeveloped cycling lanes and facilities. In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the cycling infrastructure is comparatively developed, consisting of dedicated bicycle lanes and paths that are separated from the motor traffic, promoting cycling as a safe mode of transportation.

Thailand: Between 2014 and 2016, Bangkok initiated a project aimed at constructing 48 bicycle paths covering a total distance of 298 kilometers. These paths were categorized into six different types:

1. Road Surface Path

2. Sidewalk Path

3. Road-Sidewalk Joint Path

4. Bicycle Path on the Shoulder

5. Specialized Bicycle Path

6. Bicycle Paths within Parks 

However, the utilization of these bicycle paths has fallen short of expectations due to several challenges:

Parking Conflicts: Many bicycle paths have been utilized as parking spaces due to their shared characteristics with regular lanes. This is prevalent in commercial districts where development has disregarded the intended purpose of these paths.

Legal Shortcomings: Inadequate legal measures have hindered the resolution of these issues, despite these lanes being designated as ‘specialized bicycle lanes’ separated from the main road.

Lack of Network Development: The creation of a comprehensive network of bicycle routes has not been realized yet.

Unsuitable Infrastructure: The area’s infrastructure is ill-suited for bicycle usage due to challenges such as negotiating road intersections, inadequate parking facilities, insufficient lighting, and obstructions.

To address these challenges, Bangkok will undertake a pilot initiative to develop bicycle-friendly zones, focusing on areas equipped with dedicated bicycle lanes disconnected from the main road system. The plan for this initiative is as follows:

Bicycle-Road Crossings: All bicycle crossings will be transformed into pedestrian crossings. They will be elevated to a flat-topped speed hill level, and a pavement will be added based on the suitability of the area. Addressing obstructions like trees and signs that hinder cyclists’ visibility will be prioritized. Installing speed limiters and clear warning signs for motorists and pedestrians will be integral. Enhanced road signage and additional lighting will improve safety.

Crosswalks: Pedestrian crossings compatible with bicycles and adapted to the local surroundings will be designed. Existing overpasses will be upgraded by incorporating rail trenches. Other crosswalks will be evaluated and enhanced to meet universal safety standards, ensuring safe passage for everyone.

Road Surface Enhancement: Road surfaces will be enhanced for a smoother experience, addressing issues like water pipe caps and road markings. Proper drainage systems with V-groove reflective pins and other safety features will be incorporated.

Bicycle Parking: High-quality, secure bicycle parking facilities integrated with public transportation options and adjacent commercial zones, like shopping malls and shops, will be established. Furthermore, collaboration with local stakeholders will ensure comprehensive support.

Comprehensive Bicycle Paths: A comprehensive network of cycle paths across all streets, connecting different parts of the city and creating a cohesive bicycle route system, will be developed.

By focusing on these improvements and addressing the issues that have hindered bicycle path utilization, Bangkok aims to foster a more bicycle-friendly environment that promotes cycling as a viable mode of transportation. This approach will not only encourage sustainable mobility but also enhance the overall urban experience for residents and visitors alike.

2. Cultural Norms

Germany: Cycling is a popular mode of transportation in Germany. It’s seen as a normal and practical way to get around, even for longer distances. The cultural acceptance of cycling in Dresden contributes to its popularity. There is a dedicated, mostly paved, multi-use path along both sides of the Elbe River, mainly heading east from the city center. The north side is lusher and greener, while the south side has several tourist spots, such as the ferry. In addition, a part of the public transportation system can be used for a 5-minute crossing. Interestingly, in Dresden, cycling infrastructure is made more meaningful by combining it with memorials such as painted white bikes, also called as ghost bikes, that intrigue the riders on their journey.

Bolivia: Cycling culture varies across the country. In some cities, cycling might be more associated with leisure or sport than daily transportation. However, after the pandemic, cycling is gaining popularity as a sustainable mode of transportation. In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, cultural norms related to transportation could influence the perception of cycling as a feasible choice for daily commuting or recreation.

The overall cycling culture in Santa Cruz is influenced by local events, clubs, advocacy groups, and individual preferences. A strong cycling culture can promote community engagement, events like group rides, and initiatives to raise awareness about cycling’s benefits. The presence of cycling-related businesses, repair shops, and bicycle-sharing programs can also indicate a growing cycling culture.

Thailand: In the past, Thailand had a strong cultural tradition of using bicycles for transportation. However, with the passage of time, the popularity of this practice has waned. Nevertheless, the contemporary era has witnessed a growing trend toward environmental preservation and mitigating the ecological issues stemming from car usage and fossil fuel consumption. These problems, notably air and noise pollution, have spurred a desire for change among a significant portion of the population.

Many individuals are now inclined towards adopting bicycles as a mode of transportation as well as for recreational and exercise purposes. This shift in mindset reflects a collective aspiration to contribute positively to the environment while embracing healthier and more sustainable lifestyle choices. As awareness of environmental concerns deepens and the realization of the impact of individual actions gains traction, the resurgence of bicycles as a preferred means of getting around stands as a promising step toward a greener and cleaner future.

3. Safety

Germany: Germany is known for its high safety standards for cyclists. Infrastructure is designed to keep cyclists safe, and drivers are generally respectful of cyclists on the road. 

Bolivia: Safety for cyclists in Bolivia can be a concern due to varying infrastructure quality, traffic congestion, and differing attitudes towards cyclists on the road. Santa Cruz is working to improve cyclist safety, as they need to feel secure while riding on roads alongside motor vehicles. Effective safety measures, such as proper signage, designated bicycle lanes, and public awareness campaigns, can contribute to creating a safer environment for cyclists.

Thailand: Bicycle safety in Thailand remains a concern, largely due to the considerable volume of cars on the road. The existing state of bicycle paths also necessitates improvements to enhance safety conditions. However, there’s an encouraging trend of increasing bicycle usage despite these challenges. Looking forward, there is a strong desire for the formulation of comprehensive policies aimed at promoting bicycle use and bolstering confidence in its safety.

As more individuals embrace cycling as a viable mode of transportation, the need for a safer cycling environment becomes paramount. The eventual establishment of well-defined guidelines and policies is crucial in fostering a culture of bicycle safety. These policies should encompass not only infrastructure improvements, such as well-maintained bicycle paths and cyclist-friendly road designs, but also educational initiatives that inform cyclists and motorists alike about sharing the road responsibly.

By addressing these concerns and implementing effective policies, Thailand can aspire to create a future where bicycles are a trusted and secure mode of transportation. This transition not only aligns with the global trend toward sustainable mobility but also reflects a commitment to prioritizing the well-being of both individuals and the environment.

Challenges

Germany: While Dresden has made great strides in promoting cycling, challenges still exist, such as issues with bike theft and the need for continued investment in infrastructure.

Bolivia: Challenges in Santa Cruz can include the need for more investment in cycling infrastructure, changing attitudes towards cycling as a viable mode of transportation, and addressing safety concerns.

Thailand: Promoting the utilization of bicycles in Thailand comes with its fair share of challenges. These include the need for substantial investments in building adequate bicycle lanes, ensuring traffic safety for cyclists, incentivizing a higher number of people to opt for bicycles, and launching effective campaigns to encourage wider bicycle adoption.

1. Infrastructure Investment: Constructing well-designed and comprehensive bicycle lanes necessitates significant investments in urban planning and development. These lanes should be seamlessly integrated into the existing road network, prioritizing safety and convenience for cyclists.

2. Traffic Safety: Ensuring the safety of cyclists within the existing traffic ecosystem is a primary concern. This entails creating cyclist-friendly road designs, implementing measures to prevent accidents, and raising awareness among motorists about sharing the road harmoniously with cyclists.

3. Incentives for Cycling: To encourage more individuals to choose bicycles over other modes of transportation, the introduction of incentives can be influential. These incentives might include tax breaks, subsidies for bicycle purchases, or discounts on public transportation fares for those who cycle to transit stations.

4. Awareness Campaigns: Effective public awareness campaigns play a pivotal role in shifting cultural attitudes towards cycling. Promotional initiatives can spotlight the health benefits, environmental advantages, and cost-effectiveness of using bicycles. These campaigns should target a wide demographic sample of the population to garner broader support.

By proactively addressing these challenges, Thailand can pave the way for a bicycle-friendly environment that not only enhances sustainable mobility but also contributes to healthier lifestyles and a cleaner environment. A multi-faceted approach that encompasses infrastructure, safety, incentives, and public engagement will be instrumental in fostering a successful bicycle promotion initiative.

In conclusion, cycling as a sustainable mode of transport is more established and integrated into daily life in Germany than in many countries of the Global South. However, some Bolivian and Thai cities are making efforts to improve cycling infrastructure and promote cycling as a practical and environmentally friendly mode of transport. The success of cycling as a sustainable mode of transport depends on several factors, including infrastructure development, cultural acceptance, government policies, and safety considerations. A holistic approach that addresses these factors can help create cities where cycling is not only a practical, sustainable mode of transportation, but also a vibrant part of the urban culture. At the individual level, by embracing the bicycle as your trusted steed, you become a silent catalyst for positive change. The wheels beneath you become agents of transformation, curbing pollution and ushering in a sustainable future. Your choice to pedal instead of pollute resonates far beyond your individual journey, rippling through the fabric of society and inspiring others to follow.

A bicycle feels like a universal resonance of freedom. It produces benefits for those who travel by bicycle and those who do not, by freeing up space and reducing air and noise pollution.

The blog authors – Mariela Peña from Bolivia and Manop Kaewfoo from Thailand at the Blaues Wunder, Dresden. Photo Credits: (Arief Lagoia)

Our Dresden anecdote

Farewell to you, accompanied by a charming anecdote from our delightful cycling escapade through Dresden, Germany. Our hope is that this tale will ignite a spark within you to plan your very own cycling adventure. Navigating Dresden and its outskirts on two wheels is an experience of utmost security and ease. The enchanting journey led us along the serene banks of the Elbe River, where we marveled at the architectural masterpieces, sculptures, gardens, trees, and the tapestry of daily life.

Venturing into the rural expanse, we pedaled through barley fields, pastures, and orchards, embracing the tranquility of the countryside. In the winter of 2023, armed with our trusty CIPSEM bicycles, we embarked on a cycling expedition to the splendid Great Garden. Here, amidst blooming flowers, we delved into the intricacies of ecosystem services and hydraulic systems. A moment of reverent pause awaited us as we gazed upon the majestic Bismark Column, standing sentinel near the CIPSEM facility.

With the advent of late spring in May, our wheels covered a distance of 8 km to the vibrant rapeseed field. Inviting fellow enthusiasts to join us, we conquered challenging inclines that rewarded our determined efforts with vistas that took our breath away. At the summit, a refreshing breeze and the fragrant whispers of spring welcomed us, encapsulating the serenity of Dresden’s outskirts. And as nature’s law dictates, what goes up must descend; thus, we commenced our homeward journey.

Under the cloak of night, adrenaline surged as we descended downhill, guided by the dance of lights that signaled each move – a symphony of caution and exuberance, proclaiming, “Your safety is paramount.”

A visual glimpse into our adventure

A sunset at the Elbe River in Dresden, (Photo Credits: Manop Kaewfoo)

Left: Mariela at the Bismarcksäule, Right top: Großer Garten in winter season, Right bottom: Hydraulic systems, (Photo Credits: Manop Kaewfoo )

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Left top: Route to Rapeseed field, Top center: At the Rapeseed field, Right top: The unique paved path with the wide field of meadows in winter season, Bottom: Riders bn the way to the Rapeseed field (Minh-Vietnam, Vaibhav-India, Mariela-Bolivia, Omobayo-Benin and Manop-Thailand) Photo Credits: (Manop Kaewfoo)

Left: The Red Poppy Team, Arief, Mariela and Manop (Photo Credits: A Vietnamese tourist) Right top and bottom: The red poppies, (Photo Credits: Manop Kaewfoo)

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by Mariela Peña (Bolivia) and Manop Kaewfoo (Thailand) – Participants of the 46^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries.

Visit to Lignite Mine Reclamation Site in Lusatian Lignite District, Germany

Exactly one week after 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) ended, we are happy to present you one last excursion report. On June 21, the participants headed to the Lusatian Lignite District to learn more about land reclamation of old mining sites. This time, participants Adriana Valeria Ramos Roncal from Bolivia and Anoj Khanal from Nepal kindly provided a summary of their field trip:

“Germany is still and by far the leading lignite producer in the world with a total reserve of 180 million tons. Despite of having multiple renewable energy sources and plants in operation, several lignite mines are still in operation with a majority of it being concentrated in the eastern side of Germany. Since the beginning of the 20^th century, open-cast mining and lignite industry have turned the traditional rural region in a “man-made landscape”, with its very specific site conditions.

To understand the process and consequences of lignite mining, one-day field excursion was organized by CIPSEM and Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) on 21^st June 2022. 16 participants from CIPSEM course (EM45) together with Master’s students from (TUD) joined together for a field visit on lignite mine areas in Lusatian Lignite District, Germany. Major objective of the field visit was to understand the complete cycle of lignite mining from lignite excavation, processing, use of lignite in energy generation, land acquisition from farmers and land reclamation initiatives after completion of mining activities.

How land reclamation works

Second spot of field excursion was focused on a land reclamation site where systematic interventions were made to reclaim the land and make it useful for agriculture. Participants were introduced to various techniques and tools to stabilize reclaimed area, focusing especially on soil nutrient protection. The facilitator conveyed the significance of different aspects like slope stability, soil nutrient, moisture availability and regular monitoring mechanism required for successful implementation of land reclamation strategy. Yield potential vs. time of cultivation was studied for the following 6 soil types from the mining area to understand the time required for getting the production rate equivalent to pre-mining time.

1. Calcareous loam
2. Carbonaceous (coal) loam
3. Calcareous loam sand
4. Carbonaceous (coal) loam sand
5. Calcareous loamy sand
6. Carbonaceous (coal) loamy sand

Assessment of soil profile from ancient mining site

Last destination of the excursion was an old lignite mine area with a history of more than 200 years. We were exposed to the old briquette factory area currently filled with good vegetation cover. A soil pit was dug in the middle of the forest to teach students about the soil profile from the area. Clear layer of lignite in the surface was well exposed in the area which serves as a raw material for briquette production. Sand and soil below such layer is coarse in nature with very less moisture content.

With the surrounding vegetation, it was also clear that long time gap and strict protection measures are crucial for making land reclamation feasible.

The excursion was ended with a good summary from the facilitator on existing and old mining activities in Saxony and how we can reclaim the natural environment even after the extensive mining for decades.”

by Adriana Valeria Ramos Roncal (Bolivia) & Anoj Khanal (Nepal)

Learning the soils: Light hiking tour around Dresden

On June 13, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) left Dresden’s city center for a soil science walk in the city’s periphery. Participants Arely Neisa Palabral Aguilera from Bolivia and Peter Ernest Mkilindi from Tanzania prepared a report about this trip within the EM45 course which is about to end by tomorrow, July 14:

“It is another beautiful day in the outskirts of Dresden, one of the most beautiful cities in Germany; a group of international participants of the EM45 course gathers for one of the things they love the most, going out for excursions. On this brilliant cold morning, with glittering clouds that provided a sign of a rainy day, participants met Professor Karl–Heinz Feger, our leader and guide for this brilliant excursion which involved some other international students from TU Dresden.

Professor Karl-Heinz Feger briefed on what the day entailed and what everyone should expect. After a few minutes of briefing and plans for the day, a journey to our destinations had already started. There was neither a tram nor bus on this occasion; it was just a simple expedition! It was using our own feet as means of transport! Walking, discussing, knowing each other, and getting knowledge on soils from our polite, dedicated, and very professional leader, Professor Feger, and of course, Luca, his assistant.

All group was carrying backpacks, some with jackets in their hands, others with hoes and hammers, and others with chocolates and water bottles to ensure the plans of the day were not ruined by any predictable factor.

Professor Feger made several stops on the way to give lectures on soil formation, texture, and other properties, and this made our plain expedition even more delightful.

We heated the ground for quite long heading to the City of Freital, a popular place for uranium disposal and steel mining without getting tired or bored, some taking nice shots, others taking sips of water or juice, some just yawning! On the way, we saw several water monitoring stations for potential uranium-related radioactive dangers. It was also interesting to see that there is an underground connection between Freital and Königstein, which is about 30 km long!

We ended our day at a city viewpoint, with our hosts wrapping up the wonderful trip and bidding farewell to the group. It was such a wonderful day that everyone tried to imagine how possible it could be to have a similar experience someday, but this was a different and unique day you can never replicate.

by Arely Neisa Palabral Aguilera (Bolivia) & Peter Ernest Mkilindi (Tanzania)

Greening the energy sector: Examples from the beautiful small town of Pirna

On June 08, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) visited Pirna and had the chance to meet two of Pirna’s representatives to exchange on climate action within the field of renewable energy. Participants Mustika Aji Hertanto from Indonesia and Jolly Kayiita from Uganda submitted an insightful report about what they took away from the meeting:

“On Wednesday, 08 June 2022 at 9.15 am, the participants of CIPSEM’s EM45 course arrived in Pirna, a town located 17 km away from Dresden, a place that would further surprise us on how they are involved in climate protection through their management in the energy sector. Before arriving in Pirna, we never thought that a beautiful small town with 40,000 inhabitants and 53 km² area would teach us a lot with their achievement despite their minimum resources. It reminded us of an old saying that said “revolutionaries come from minimum resources”. Yes, Pirna is the real example of that, they restore our faith in the positivity, something that is very expensive lately, since we are too busy to deal with politics and interests.

We were warmly welcomed by Markus Dreßler, the deputy mayor of Pirna, and Thomas Freitag, Pirna’s climate protection manager at 10 am in front of the town hall. They kindly told us about a brief history of Pirna before inviting us to the meeting room inside the town hall. The friendly atmosphere at the time was blurring us that those two people in front of us were two of influential persons in Pirna, the persons who bring change to that beautiful small town.

Mr. Dreßler, in his welcoming speech explained that Pirna has been involved in the climate protection and focus on the energy. Recently, they also joined the European Energy Award (EEA) because it allows the structure of the municipality to deal with climate protection and its external guidance. They worked very hard to make sure that the city can contribute to the betterment of the world through renewable energy. This line was punching right on our face. How could a small town that was slowly left by its people to other cities for a better life, work really hard? They devote themselves as much as they can regardless the minimal resources they have and political interest they found in the process. The way they work is to avoid distraction and not to spend too much energy in analysis but in the implementation to achieve the target. As a result, Pirna is in a good way to receive a gold category in European Energy award (EEA). They have many milestones since 2008 and recently in 2021, they received a certification with EEA gold. They focus on their renewable energy in the heating system and to light the city.

Another learning we get from Pirna is on how they mix the top-down and bottom-up approach by considering the balance of the environmental impact and the financial balance. This is very important because as environmentalists we sometimes are too research-based and do not consider other interest. This is surprising because to their knowledge, this approach is effective to convince people that still do not believe in the climate change. Again, we learn how a small resource can be a revolutionary if they have an inspiring leader. Lastly in Mr. Dreßler’s closing remark, there is still a target that is difficult to achieve. It is to implement more PV in new building and the establishment of wind energy. The economic reason and many conflicts of interest become the reasons why such a good initiative is hard to implement.

In brief, we also learned a lot about the development of climate protection work in Pirna. In overall score, they have 79.4% assessed based on 6 actions of EEA:

1. Development and spatial planning energy
2. Municipal buildings and facilities
3. Supply and disposal energy, water, waste water and waste
4. Communication and cooperation
5. Internal organization energy team
6. Mobility public transport

In the process, they apply a municipal energy management which is a systematic and continuous development of non-investment and low-investment savings potential in the operation of municipal buildings. There are three main reasons why Pirna applies municipal energy management:

1. Reduction of energy consumption
2. The increasing costs for energy
3. The increasing demand for energy

To not burdening the people, the municipal has a smart initiative by implementing leasing model in the photovoltaic system. They also have many environmental programs such as E-carsharing for the municipality fleet, city gardens Breite Straße, energy projects in school, exchange of experience with twin towns and many more.

Before finishing the excursion, we were invited to go to Carl Friedrich Gauß Schule, an exemplary of the passive house, a place that has a very low energy consumption. Built in 2013, the school implements 4 heating systems:

1. Heating pump below the ground
2. Heat and power plant combination
3. Air exchange
4. Heat capture system

The school has a very good control of air control, the running cos is even cheaper. Yes, there is a challenge in the investment cost, but compared to long term financial benefit, it is economically efficient. Another challenge is that there should be a zero error in the building planning. It needs collaboration between the architect and energy consultant.

In the return to CIPSEM, we were wondering that we were very lucky to have a chance to visit one remarkable town in the saxony. Somehow, we also reflect to ourselves that we may complain a lot about resources that hamper us in achieving the goals, even we sometimes use it as our justification why our target is not achieved. Pirna realizes us that we should not complain with the resources we have; Pirna reminds us that hard work combined with smart initiative are the key of a successful action; and lastly, Pirna inspires us that no matter how hard the challenge, everything is possible.”

by Mustika Aji Hertanto (Indonesia) & Jolly Kayiita (Uganda)

Memories from Island of Vilm Excursion

From May 16 to May 21, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) had the pleasure to go on excursion to the Isle of Vilm for one week. Participants Sonam Yangkee Phurba from Bhutan and Abdulshekur Ahmed Husen from Ethiopia wrote a vivid report about their week:

“Since the starting of CIPSEM course, all the participants were eagerly waiting for May 16 to come by. It was this day when participants moved to the Isle of Vilm for one week excursion. We, Abdulshekur Ahmed Husen from Ethiopia and Sonam Yangkee Phurba from Bhutan, will kindly give you a brief report on the awesome one week, from May 16 to May 21, education excursion to the island of Vilm.

Day 1: Travel Day

On the sunny days of May 16, all the 17 participants, we believe, woke up excitedly and got ready. We met with Tobias of the CIPSEM team, who was very much afraid that we will be late, at Dresden main station and departed for Isle of Vilm at 07:19 AM. Passing through the incredible view of Berlin, first stop was made in city of Rostock for 45 minutes, where we had lunch. The team boarded the second train from Rostock than the third train from Bergen auf Ruegen and arrived at Lauterbach Mole from where we took the boat to Isle of Vilm.

After arriving at Vilm, as expected, everyone was taking pictures of the beautiful views. The beauty of the Island was incomparable and as they say, a gem of the Baltic Sea. We were warmly welcomed by Asja Bernd from BfN, our leader for the period of time. Warm welcome tea and snacks were waiting in the seminar room and Asja led the welcoming session by telling the history of the island. Asja Bernd is among the most exciting and energetic person we have seen during our course.

Day 2: Session Day

We started officially with the program on day two, May 17. The first lecture was on “Biodiversity and ecosystem Services; State, Trends and drivers of decline” by Asja Bernd. Followed by presentation on “Introduction to the Convention on Biological Diversity” by Jutta Stadler from BfN. After coffee break, Asja Bernd gave a lecture on “Biodiversity and Biofuels: Issues at stake”. The participants gave sensational participation and discussion.

After lunch, we did the most interesting simulation game. We took part in Negotiation of Biofuel in Conference of the Parties (COP) of Convention of Biodiversity (CBD). The game or the COP was moderated by Dr. Horst Korn, Jutta Stadler and Asja Bernd, BfN. We had participants from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, USA, EU, Ethiopia, Tuvalu and Greenpeace. Everyone got into their role and did a great job. If such negotiation happens in real life, it won’t take much time for world to be a better place. After the dinner, we streamed the fascinating documentary on Guardians of the Earth, UNFCCC-COP21 (Paris Agreement), and also shared our view on the documentary.

Day 3: Tour Day

On Wednesday, May 18, the day started little early with a session on “Nagoya Protocol and ABS” by Thomas Greiber, BfN. However, the day wasn’t filled with lectures. The highlight was the Guided Tour on Vilm. We went around the island along with Asja, and enjoyed the beauty of the nature, the sea and the mosquitos. The mosquitos were very festinated by group of diverse people that they never left us alone and we were VERY much touched by it (LITERALLY). After lunch, tired us, didn’t lose our energy and continued the learning program by a game: on Fish banks, facilitated by Asja Bernd and Tobias. It was very exciting to play the game where lots of strategy and brain needs to be used. It was also fascinating to see people becoming greedy over invisible money. The day was concluded with interesting discussions.

Day 4: Also a Tour Day

Thursday was also an exciting day, as we visited the Jasmund National Park and most importantly, we visited supermarket. The tasks for the day were to visit the National park followed by audio guided tour through the national park center. We were joined by Rico Markman, National park ranger, who gave us information on visitor management and value of world heritage designation. In 2 hours of walk, a millions of photos were taken. Then we headed towards National Park Centre for our lunch and, of course, toilets. We did the Audio guided tour after lunch, which was a very thrilling tour. The nature heritage was full of animal reserve and conservations. Walking through the sounds of birds and frogs, gave a peace of mind and it was relaxing.

We then returned to Lauterbach, not before visiting the supermarket. Since, we didn’t have much time, Cheva-Gaye, Ganna and Abdul volunteered to go along with Asja and participants were asking for chips, coke, juice and wine. While waiting, Martin was able to find some fries and the rest of people dug on his fries (Poor Martin; Happy Us!). We ended the day with a presentation on “Protected Areas: Trends and Concepts” by Gisela Stolpe, BfN.

Day 5: Final Session Day

May 20 was the last session day on Vilm Island. The day was packed with session starting with “Marine Nature Conservation” by Britta Knefelkamp, followed by “Assessing the conservation status through Red List Assessment” by Viola Clausnitzer from Senckenberg Natural History Museum Goerlitz. Unfortunately, it was conducted online. Nevertheless, Viola, assessed by Asja, made sure it didn’t affect the learning and it was a success story. After lunch, Gisela Stolpe introduced “Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs)” and facilitated a group work on the linkage between development initiative and conservation. With tea and cake, members started to work in group. The session day ended with an evaluation of the Vilm module and all members participated in pointing out what they liked and what could be improved.

But the day didn’t end there. At 08:00 PM, everyone gathered in the seminar room for a farewell get-together AKA Karaoke time. There was music, singing of songs from their countries, dancing, making tiktok and not to forget, drinks and snacks. It was made sure that night stayed young.

Day 6: Travel Day

Woke up by the singing birds on morning of Saturday, May 21, clear sky with not so gentle wind, everyone was getting ready to close the chapter. Packing the memories and appreciating the beauty of Vilm for one last time, everyone made their way to breakfast at 08:00 am. Walking toward the boat, with heavy heart, recollecting all the fun and crazy things, last goodbye was said and participants departed. The journey from Lauterbach Mole to Bergen auf Ruegen, then to Berlin Gesundbrunnen and finally Dresden Hbf, all of the participants were having a good time; sleeping. Around 05:00 PM, everyone reached CIPSEM building and got in their cocoon.

On behalf of 45^th CIPSEM participants, we would like to thank Asja Bernd for her amazing energy and making us feel comfortable throughout our stay in Vilm Island, Tobias for leading us through the journey and patiently bearing with crazy mind of ours, CIPSEM team for organizing the program which gave us knowledge and memories, Staff of Vilm Island for taking care of our needs, and lastly International Academy for Nature Conservation, Isle of Vilm and German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) for having us.

P.S: Don’t forget gifts for mosquitos, when you visit the Isle of Vilm.”

by Sonam Yangkee Phurba (Bhutan) & Abdulshekur Ahmed Husen (Ethiopia)

BICYCLE TOUR IN DRESDEN CITY

On April 27, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) had the pleasure to explore Dresden by bike. Participants Mamerto Fernando Massirela from Mozambique and Martin Bartels Awortwe from Ghana kindly prepared a review on their bike tour:

“On the morning of April 27th, a bicycle tour took place along the streets of the Dresden City, in which 15 CIPSEM students participated, 12 of them cycling and 3 in the taxi, accompanied by Prof. Angela Francke and Mr. Fabian Heidegger. The excursion is part of the practical component of the Sustainable Mobility class and lasted approximately three hours, covering a route of about 10 km.

There were 05 (five) stopping points along the route, with some strategic importance for the explanation of the mobility system in the Dresden City, giving space for dialogue between students and the facilitators, including questions and answers from both sides. During the tour, the photographer with CIPSEM for this purpose joined the team who took various pictures from the first to the last stopping point of the tour.

The excursion followed the following itinerary: Starting point – CIPSEM; First stop – Goßer Garten; Second stop – Robert Henze (Henzestraβe); Third stop – Borsbergstr. crossing; Fourth stop – River Bridge (Cycle lane)/Olbricht Platz; Fifth stop – Postplatz.

First stop (Goßer Garten)

In the Goßer Garten was explained the history of the place. It is one of the most visited natural environments in Dresden, with green spaces, clean air, infrastructure for the circulation of pedestrians and cyclists and other adjacent public infrastructure, including a restaurant and bar, as well as beautiful gardens. One amazing fact about the place was that vehicles are not allowed in the park space which makes the environment serene without noise.

The Großer Garten (English: Great Garden) is a Baroque style park that shapes and covers about 1.8 km². Originally established in 1676 on the orders of John George III, it has been a public garden since 1814. Pathways and avenues are arranged symmetrically throughout the park. The Sommerpalais, a small Lustschloss, is at the center of the park. The park was surrounded by urban areas by the second half of the 19th century. Dresden Zoo and Dresden Botanical Garden were added late in the 19th century. A miniature railway, known as the Parkeisenbahn, operates in the park from April to October. The train is operated by children, some of them start their career there. On the way to the second stop, there was a short stop at a traffic light, where were made known the procedures for mobility through the light signals and the need to activate the device so that the green light for cyclists could light up.

Second stop (Robert Henze/Henzestraße)

Henzestraße is a junction situated in a residential area. The junction is characterized by having two larger sidewalks, which separate the car parks (on the main road) from the secondary road. This feature allows visibility at the site and the guarantee of safety for users, both motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. At the site, was made known the operation of priority in transitability in different directions, recommending communication and understanding between road users when traffic is congested. A particular feature in this area is that there are no cycle paths and the maximum speed limit is 30km/hour.

Third stop (BorsbergStr. junction)

The Borsbergstr. is considered as the engineering junction, because, in the same place, all the urban mobility infrastructures can be found, namely for pedestrians, bicycles, cars and trains. The main road is very wide, however, the intersection does not have a traffic light, which requires greater care and attention when circulating at the intersection. Here it was made known that Dresden is a public transport city, unlike others that are for private cars and bicycles cities.

Fourth stop (River Bridge – Bike path)

The River Bridge bike path is located on the banks of the Elbe River. It is the longest cycle path connecting Hamburg to the Czech Republic. At the stop, there is a Bicycle Counter that automatically registers the bicycles traveling on the road, which allows for reliable statistics on the number of cyclists circulating. Due to its tranquility and safety characteristics, the same infrastructure is used by pedestrians for walking and running.

Fifth stop (Postplatz – City Center)

The fifth and last stop was Postplatz, one of the most important points of urban mobility in the City Center. This is considered as the sharing space because all urban transport routes cross this space, including pedestrian mobility. This is also an area of tourist interest, which is why it is equipped with public support infrastructure such as public taps for accessing water.

The visit ended at this point, followed by the streets of the City Center back to CIPSEM, where was made a brief analysis of the experience, with a positive evaluation of all the participants, whose faces were beaming with satisfaction.

The facilitators (Prof. Angela Francke and Mr. Fabian Heidegger) said goodbye to the students, with the promise of the next meeting in the theoretical classes scheduled for July.”

by Mamerto Fernando Massirela (Mozambique) and

Martin Bartels Awortwe (Ghana)

Saxon Switzerland National Park Adventure

On April 08, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) went on a field trip to the Saxon Switzerland National Parl. Participants Cheva-Gaye Wright from Jamaica and Nondas Ferreira da Silva from Brazil have taken the effort to write a report about the tour:

“On April 8^th, 2022 the day started with excitement. It was Arely’s birthday, the group sang Happy Birthday to her. Once Katharina had accounted for all her ‘children’ for the day we went to the Dresden Main Train Station. At the train station, Professor Stefan Porembski and his wife joined us. During the train ride, after passing Pirna onwards there were scenic views of the Elbe River and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

Upon arrival at Bad Schandau, we were warmly greeted by our guide, Ranger Armin Zenker. He led us to National Park Centre Saxon Switzerland which was originally a movie theatre built in 1953 and closed in 1990. The National Park Centre Saxon Switzerland opened in 2001. The national park has two parts Saxon Switzerland in Germany and Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic. Ranger Armin guided the group to a movie room where he introduced us to Anna, our second guide. She is doing a volunteer ecological year with the national park centre.

We watched a short documentary titled A Perspective of Nature International Park Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland. The documentary gave us a vivid introduction to the history of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, river, streams, the trees, plants and animals that call Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland International Park home. It was a delightful introduction that had us ready for the next part of the tour. Ulemu Diana Makumba said, “This place is beautiful! We started looking at the video and I got an impression of what am expecting to see outside”.

Next, there was a tour of the centre’s exhibition on Saxon Switzerland National Park. It started with looking at the lower elevations of the forest where Ranger Armin told us a story about each picture on display. I can recall the story of how the spruce bark beetle killed the tallest spruce tree in the park. Ranger Armin had the voice of a Disney story narrator. We were fully captivated, laughed and listened to the information he shared with us.

Up some stairs, we went to higher elevations of the forest and saw pictures of the sandstone rock formations. There was an exhibit with a video on how the Elbe Sandstone Mountains formed. While watching the video at times you felt like you were underwater. There were samples of sandstone and shell fossils embedded in sandstone that we could touch to feel the texture.

The group then went on to look, touch, feel and kiss the animals, such as the wild boar and badger on display. When looking through the different view masters it seemed as if you were in the forest and not just looking at a picture. There was a room where we were surrounded by images and sounds from the forest with deer passing by. It was so lifelike that it felt real.

The display of the different types of owls, rodents and wild boar in a dark room playing the sounds they make in the wild made you appreciate listening safely inside. The game to move the round table with a model of Saxon Switzerland to get the ball into a small hole was a solid representation that nature conservation is a delicate balancing act.

Jolly Kayiita said, “This experience so far is so nice! Going to the museum and seeing all those kinds of animals and plants was so beautiful. I expect to see those high mountains, the peaks and the different plants there. I think it will be beautiful.” The Ranger, Armin Zenker, took us hiking in the forest. It was amazing, not just because of the beauty but, also the ranger made us feel like we belonged to the forest. There was music, dancing, exploring, stories and an amazing view of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

It was not just a hiking experience; it was a connection with the different parts of the forest. We went to a cave where we lit candles making a wish in the end. Ranger Armin also told us a very sad story about the dangers of lightning. In the past, his brother was in the forest and lightning just hit the tree close to him and he died.  “I enjoyed everyone’s company the most today and feel lucky to be here”, said Arely Neisa Palabral Aguilera. Forests are a sacred and beautiful place, however, it is very important to respect nature and feel all the energy of the living beings in the surroundings. Humans and nature are part of one being, the planet Earth. Together we can have amazing adventures, like the one we had on this day. Thank you Armin for being a kind amazing human in this world and for sharing a little of your energy with our group.”

by Cheva-Gaye Wright (Jamaica) and Nondas Ferreira da Silva (Brazil)

Tour in the Forest Botanical Garden of TU Dresden

On March 24, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) went on excursion to Forest Park Tharandt. Participants Rehab Ahmed and Alkhansaa Saber from Sudan kindly prepared a description of their field trip:

“The Forest Botanical Garden, is a botanical garden maintained by the Dresden University of Technology. Within the whole area of the botanical garden, plants are labeled with their scientific name and natural distribution. It contains geographically arranged sections of plants from Asia, North America etc. The Botanical Garden contains approximately 10,000 plant species from every climate zone and from a wide range of geographical regions.

We started walking from border part of the garden accompanied by Dr. Pietzarka and we stopped beside Heinrich Cotta statue, in 1811 he established the first oldest private forestry school worldwide, later it became a forestry college, he developed sustainable forests management methods. Now the botanical garden is a part of the faculty of environmental science, Technical university of Dresden. In 19th century, Cotta invited foreign students from different countries all over the world such as Japan, France, Indonesia, Russia, China, Finland and Spain, to develop forest management worldwide. He led science at that times, he met Alexander von Humboldt and other natural scientists.

We stopped beside the Champion tree it’s about 200 years old. And it’s the only one species in Germany, and its extension species in North America.

The scientific collection of plant species in the garden has about 3200 species and variety of woody plants. Native species, invasive species and endangered species, for the purpose of education for students in forestry management, and other related disciplines, and conservation of biodiversity and genetic diversity.

Also one of the most important topic provided by botanic garden is to introduce the concept of sustainability for children as target groups to increase their awareness about sustainability in simple and great way.

Then we walked around the garden in 500 meters and we stopped in area with about 3 hectares. Native species is dominant in this area, it is left to develop semi natural and it is used for timber production.

Then we crossed the bridge which is connecting the two parts of garden, American part and historic part of garden, then we walked between trees and we found varieties of trees with age 50 to 70 years. Then we climbed the artificial rocky mountain, it was really impressive picture from the top of mountain to see all the surrounding. The botanical garden is source of pleasure and inspiration for its visitors.”

Copyright photos: Rehab Ahmed

by Rehab Ahmed and Alkhansaa Saber, Sudan

Germany’s Waste Management best practice as model for developing countries

On March 09, 10 and 11, the participants of our 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM45) went on excursion to complement their lectures on waste management. Participants Marine Voskanyan from Armenia and Ulemu Makumba from Malawi kindly prepared a report about their field trip:

“Germany’s Waste Management is the model of the best practice of the waste management of developed country, which is not easy to realize in developed countries immediately, even the environmental consequences are obvious․ Germany’s Waste Management consists of five-level waste hierarchy that lays down a fundamental series of steps comprising waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and other elements besides, including energy recovery, and finally waste disposal. 20 fellows from ongoing 45^th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management at CIPSEM, Technical University Dresden (TUD), Germany set out on an excursion to three-day site visits on waste management facilities within Dresden City. These site visits were meant to help the fellows see some of theoretical foundations that had been provided in class being implemented practically in industry. Even though some of the technologies were a little futuristic for most participants from developing countries, the visits were beneficial since there are possibilities that developing countries might get international financial investments to solve waste related issues.

During site visits, the participants raised many questions, and thanks to highly qualified workers they found the answers. The contacts were shared among the participants and the industry experts even after they get back to their home countries. Although Germany has achieved a lot already, it still faces challenges.

On Wednesday 9^th March 2022, the first day site visits were at:

• Stadtreinigung Dresden GmbH (Waste Collection Site, Recycling Center, Closed down Landfill / Landfill-gas Utilization),
• Dresdner Abfallverwertungsgesellschaft GmbH (Closed down Biologic – mechanic waste treatment plant (BMA)/ Waste reloading facility),
• Nordmineral Recycling GmbH & Co. KG (Mineral Waste Sorting and Recycling)
• Lebenshilfe, inpuncto Werkstätten (Electric and Electronic Scrap Dismantling and Sorting)
• Sewage Sludge Utilization (Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH).

The first site visited was the Waste Collection Site, a leading waste management company in Dresden. The company offers collection, transportation, treatment and recycling of waste. Residents of Dresden walk into the facility to drop off their residential waste at no costs also the company gets the waste from different households in the city of Dresden. The site is open from 7 am to 7 pm so that residents are ensured of depositing their waste at maximum time. Besides waste management, the company also offers cleaning and washing services (e.g. cleaning properties, streets, garages, car parks) and winter service where they clear and grit places e.g. streets.

Waste Collection Site, Recycling Center; Copyright: Ganna Proskura

Germany, like many other European countries, decided to close its landfills so that it attains its goal of turning into a circular economy that avoids generating waste and uses unavoidable waste as a resource wherever possible. Not only were the landfills closed for a circular economy but were also closed, because they posed serious environmental threats like reducing the quality of groundwater and surface water and have significant effect on landscape. Participants therefore were taken to a closed down landfill/ land fill-gas utilization in the same vicinity. There are people working on site where gas is produced and used for electricity generation and monitor leachate.

The Biological Mechanical Waste Treatment Plant (BMA)/ Waste Reloading Facility was a major thrill for Dresden as Dresden was the first major city in Germany to have ecological residual waste treatment, in which all material flows are recycled. The Biological Mechanical Plant was processing residual waste from households, waste paper basket and commercial waste. Unfortunately, the facility was closed down but with the possibility of the facility to open again later in the near future.

Collected waste at the Biomechanical Waste Treatment Plant; Copyright: Ganna Proskura

Later on during the excursion, we had a lecture on waste management in the city of Dresden. Participants were given the insights on how Dresden is working towards achieving waste management, whose aim was prevention, minimization, reuse, recycle, energy recovery and treatment and disposal. The city offers environmental/waste education for its younger generation so that they practice and never lose track as they grow older. There are also some activities involving the communities in cleaning up the city from waste.

Another interesting place seen during the excursion was the Mineral Waste Sorting and Recycling, Nordmineral Recycling GmbH & Co. KG. This facility is responsible for demolishing and managing construction waste and further grinds it to produce a new product that is used for road construction.

Construction Waste at Mineral Waste Sorting and Recycling Company; Copyright: Ganna Proskura

The next stop was the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Company. This company offers jobs to mental, physical or multiple disabled and chronically mentally ill people that cannot yet be employed on the general labor market due to their disability or illness. Inside the premises, participants were able to appreciate how electronics such as phones, laptops, and video cassettes were being dismantled, sorted and recycled. The aim of the company is to protect the environment and health. It also aims at conserving the natural resources where it aims to avoid waste and recycle the waste as efficiently as possible. With circular economy in mind, the company fixes some electronics where they are able to sell some second hand goods that they have managed to repair.

Electronic Waste at Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Company; Copyright: Ganna Proskura

Water is a finite and vulnerable resource that requires protection and conservation. The Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH, Sewage Sludge Utilization facility, helps contribute to protecting the environment and careful use of valuable resources like water. The waste water treatment plant provides services in disciplines of the waste water treatment, environmental analysis and the planning and construction of waste water systems. The treatment plant is not only for Dresden but also surrounding municipalities. The company is able to generate electricity from the waste water/sludge and also able to treat waste water and make it clean water that’s let to flow back in the Elbe River.

Facilities for Sewage Sludge Utilization; Copyright: Ganna Proskura

After the first day visit impressions, participants thought there was nothing more that could amaze them, but little did they know that the second day held even more exciting activities. On day two, 4 sites were visited and these were:

• Veolia Umweltservice Ost GmbH (Light Packaging service, Waste Packaging service),
• Papierfabrik Hainsberg GmbH (Waste paper recycling),
• RETTERA Freital GmbH & Co. KG (Bio waste composting),
• REMONDIS Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG (Hazardous waste pretreatment).

At Veolia Umweltservice Ost GmbH, participants saw how light packaging waste was put on conveyor belts and separated into different waste fractions using near infrared and air jet.

The second place to visit was Papierfabrik Hainsberg GmbH. This is a paper manufacturing company based in the Hainsberg district of Freital that specializes using waste paper to produce printing, office, packaging, envelope papers and colored papers. Fellows were first given a talk on occupational health and safety issues to be considered during the tour. They were also told that more than 80% of waste paper in Germany is recycled and besides paper production they got to see how the factory treated water that is harvested from the nearby stream for utilization in the factory’s industrial activities.

RETTERA Freital GmbH & Co. KG was the next port of call after the paper recycling factory. In this site, fellows saw organic waste was turned into composting and organic fertilizer. Organic waste is first shredded, and then placed into three composting chambers for about three weeks before been placed in 3 metres windrow rows for further maturation. The internal temperature of the compost has to reach more than 63^OC in order to kill off pathogenic organics. Participants took turns to measure the temperature, which was an adventure for them. After the compost is matured, it is further sieved into different products which are sold to the public. Participants asked whether this activity was economically viable and they were told that it was as people paid to bring in their waste and paid money to purchase the compost.

Measuring the temperature of the compost at Bio Waste Composting Site; Copyright: Mustika Aji Hertanto

After the composting visits, fellows had an opportunity to practice principle of waste avoidance! Participants found nice ceramic utensils in a skip bin close to their bus and took them as trophies!

The final site to be visited was REMONDIS Industry Service GmbH & Co. KG which does hazardous waste pretreatment. Fellows saw how hazardous waste was labeled using the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. They also saw how acidic chemicals were neutralized and stabilized.

After an interesting day, the fellows sat heavily into their seats and for the better part of the journey there was silence as people reflected on what they had seen during the day. A few occasional chats were shared when fellows saw photovoltaic farms along the way and connected them with what they had learnt in the renewable energy module.

The German Government funds projects on Bio-waste. The  participants were privileged to visit the TUD Institute of Waste Management and Circular economy in Pirna to learn more and understand the waste management system done there. The facility does research on digestive of waste where they get biogas and use for energy production where they are able to produce electricity and useful heat. This is environmentally friendly waste as a heterogeneous resource, they sort the waste where it is further analyzed. The facility has different laboratories, for example biological lab where soils and other waste are reduced by biological ways, preparation lab for sample preparation and hydrocarbons laboratory for analysis.

The 3 days’ excursion ended up with a unique journey back to Dresden’s past and experience the city in a 360° Panorama! Artist Yadegar Asisi’s panoramas tower of 27 m height is a visit card of exhibitions and museums in Dresden.

The participants were impressed by Panometer Dresden, where is located the world’s biggest panorama.

Professional and cultural exchange inspires fellows for the future stronger steps to develop their countries, to find local solutions for global achievement.”

by Marine Voskanyan (Armenia) & Ulemu Makumba (Malawi)

€70 Billion Trash Business: Lessons from Germany’s Waste Management system

Have you thought about the value of the waste you produce or the value of the things you so often throw away or discountenance? You probably have not! However, you see, in Germany, waste management is a multibillion-euro economy with an annual turnover of €70 billion. To put that in perspective, the annual turnover of Germany’s waste management sector is more than twice the €32 Billion 2020 federal budget of Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria. More so, according to Germany’sFederal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), in 2018, there were over 11,000 waste management companies, which operated over 15,500 waste management (collection, recovery and recycling) facilities, employing over 270,000 people.

What is even more interesting is the fact that waste management in Germany is self-funded. At the moment, each German citizen pays about 18 cents pay day or (€ 50 annually) to have his/her wastes evacuated and appropriately managed. Perhaps more intriguing is the fact that waste management services are fully contracted to private companies. Private waste operators are paid by relevant regulating or municipal authorities from the fees paid by the users. From waste collection, transportation, sorting, recycling, treatment, dedicated men undertake disposal, and women employed and paid by contracted companies. Dresden, a city of about 500,000 inhabitants and the capital of Saxony Free State has a total of 3,580 bins and streets measuring approximately 1,773 km, which are cleaned regularly

To get a glimpse of the waste management system in the city, 21 fellows from ongoing 43rd UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management at CIPSEM, Technical University (TU), Dresden, Germany set out on an excursion to three waste management-recycling facilities within Dresden City. The three sites were a residual waste treatment plant, a mineral recycling plan and an electronic recycling center. For each of the three sites, there were tons of things to learn, compare and admire. Admire, right, perhaps the enthusiasm, devotion and professionalism with which the workers approached their work, not just to put food on the table, but with clear understanding that the work they do is dignified and strategic to the health and success of their city.

Residual Treatment Plant

This facility located at Hammerweg, Dresden, is residual waste treatment plant that employs a method called “biological, mechanical treatment”. The process is so called because it employs biological methods to dry the wastes and then, sort them mechanically to remove inert- and metal fraction. The treatment facility is operated by Stadtreinigung Dresden GmbH, a private company.

The facility was commissioned in 2001 in response to changes proposed in the German Federal law which outlawed disposal of untreated residual wastes in landfills, especially if it has a high calorific value or a high methane production potential – methane is dangerous GHG. Before that law, Dresden, and indeed Germany, dumped residual wastes in open landfills. The open landfill in Dresden was closed in 2002 just like many other landfills across Germany had to shut down. To show how injurious to the environment landfilling is, eighteen years after closure, the landfill in Dresden still produces methane. However, the methane is efficiently collected through a network of installed systems and used for energy generation. Some landfills remain actively operational today in Germany but they are for the disposal of special wastes such as mineral wastes.

Biologic-mechanical Waste Treatment Plant, Hammerweg, Dresden, Germany

Stadtreinigung Dresden GmbH collects residual wastes from the entire City from residual bins strategically placed in homes and public places. People also bring their gardening waste to waste-depots located at the entrance of the plant. However, these (gardening) wastes go to another treatment plant to produce compost. The process of treatment is heralded by delivery of residual wastes transported to the facility by specially designed trucks. (In Germany, trucks used in waste delivery carry the special “A” sign). The trucks deliver the waste to the bunker inside the treatment plant after which a thorough cleaning of the vehicle, especially the wheels and compartments, follows. This is to reduce re-contamination.

The wastes are then transported by automated crane systems to the pre-shredding phase where wastes are cut into small pieces to increase surface area for biological action. The next step sees the pre-shredded wastes placed into drying boxes where they are left for some days for rotting to take place. Pumping of air to the wastes follows to take up any organic matter remaining. The wastes are then transported through sieves to separate them into various types and sizes. Furthermore magnetic and eddy current separation for metals and windsifters to get rid of the inert fraction. Mindful of the health of the community, the air is burned to eliminate the remaining organic matter and foul smell before it is released to the environment. Unbelievably, within the neighborhood, you would hardly notice that a waste treatment plant of this magnitude exists.

The facility produces RDF (refuse-derived-fuels) for incineration. The facility also makes extra money by sorting out metals from the residual wastes it receives from the public. These metallic wastes are sold to the metal recyclers in Germany. Other waste fractions from the mix are sold to different processors such as cement factories, lignite factories, and glass manufacturers… So, you see where Euros are coming from?

Apart from this plant, another plant operates in another part of the city that produces biogas from biowastes. The residues from that anaerobic digestion process (which results in biogas production) are of qualities too low to sell to private gardeners. Thus, instead, these residues from the process are sold to landscapers.

Mineral recycling plant

Nordmineral Recycling facility had its own intrigue! Oh, some still think gold, copper etc. are the only minerals! Well, not at all! Sand, ballast, asphalt, stones to mention but a few, are also minerals. Perhaps because Africa is blessed with many precious minerals, we hardly conceptualize that construction wastes could also be a source of minerals!

To be honest, Nordimineral Recycling facility did look like an active quarry. Huge heaps of sand, ballast, building blocks, bricks and others dotted the site. Minimal dust was produced inside of the plant from the giant blocks fed into the huge crusher by one of the caterpillars on site. The facility produces brick dusts of different sizes which are used in construction, landfilling and poultry houses. Large construction blocks are also made from the waste sands and ballast together with cement. These are used as security barriers and to shield riverbeds against floods. The sight of trucks that kept coming and leaving the facility emphasized the importance of the facility. In fact, Germany produces a significant amount of construction wastes. For instance, in 2015, it produced 209 million tons of wastes against 51 million tons of household wastes. This makes a good case therefore to have such a facility that recycles construction and demolition wastes.

Nordimineral Recycling facility was constructed in 1995 at a total cost of $7.5 million. It is operated by Nordimineral Recycling GmbH & Co. KG. The design capacity of the facility is one million tons of mineral wastes annually but currently operates at one-third of its installed capacity. To keep up with the set standards; the plant conducts a monthly testing of the chemical composition for the products coming out of the facility. The dust particles sizes are also closely monitored. The markets for its products are construction companies and Government agencies.

From the look of things, this is a very profitable and strategic sector. So, it begs the question, how does Africa manage her construction waste. Could it be a question of a billion euro loss?

Mineral Waste sorting and recycling Plant. Nordmineral Recycling GmbH

Electrical and electronics recovery centre 

Lebenshilfe Recycling Facility recycles electrical and electronics waste (e-wastes). In the past few years, e-wastes have grown into a serious environmental concern. What stands out of the facility is the fact that it employs disabled and mentally challenged workers. Thus, this social enterprise innovatively combines job creation/gainful employment, sustainable waste management and social integration. What a business model!

The workers are first trained on dismantling processes and personal protection before undertaking the task. You could not help but notice the very clean and well-organized surrounding of this facility. Its workers were fully kitted and the facility is fitted with special equipment that suck off mercury and other toxic gases produced during the dismantling process. Examples of e-waste processed by the facility include desktop computers, television sets (CRT, LCD, LED etc.), mobile phones, radios, CDs, fans, wires etc.

Dresden produces approximately 2,500 tonnes of electronics wastes out of which 2400 tonnes find their way to the facility. Collection of e-waste is at no cost to the members of the public – members of the public are free to bring their e-waste to the facility. There are also dedicated collection outlets at strategic locations across the city. Wastes collected from different locations within the city are then transported to the facility.

Electrical and electronic scrap dismantling and sorting

In conclusion, here are some of the other lessons during the trips:

• Citizenry awareness and attitude to wastes is crucial in developing efficient waste management
• That waste management sector is a long value chain that creates thousands of opportunities in terms of job, and income both for residents and Government
• Waste separation is core to achieving efficient municipal waste management
• Developing countries have huge (and largely untapped) potential to create new value-adding, employment and income opportunities in the waste management sector
• Unregulated landfilling is a very expensive waste disposal method which leads to loss of economically valuable materials, loss of aesthetic value of land and release of GHGs
• Construction wastes can be recycled and reused

The experience at these facilities begs the question, how does Africa/Asia or even the Caribbean manage their waste? Should waste be continuously wasted?

by Mr. Idowu Kunlere (Nigeria) and Mr. Peter Wakahora (Kenya)