The Waste Flow Diagram (WFD) tool is the perfect solution for understanding and addressing plastic pollution. Developed by GIZ, the University of Leeds, Eawag-Sandec and Wasteaware, this tool estimates the amounts of solid waste that leak into nature and oceans from various sources. Through a scenario function, it simulates how improved waste management could reduce environmental pollution and avoid marine litter. Get the insights you need to make a difference!
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The WFD collects data through primary and secondary data collection, observations, and interviews along waste management stations (from generation, collection, transport, treatment/recovery, to disposal). This data is entered in 5 sections: waste generation information, waste treatment and disposal, waste management in controlled facility, plastic leakage, and plastic leakage fate.
It combines a Material Flow Analysis (MFA) approach with systematic and observation based qualitative assessment. To quantify plastic leakages though various municipal solid waste management stages, it uses leakage and fate influencers, potential levels, factors, and such data, of which options are selected based on observations. The leakage influencers along the waste management stations (e.g. waste sorting facilities) are assessed in a systematic and qualitative respect to determine the sources of waste entering the environment. Flows represent possible pathways of material quantified in terms of tonnes per annum. Leakage
refers to plastic waste escaping the waste management system and becoming unmanaged.
Other aspects, such as the involvement of the informal waste sector in waste collection and treatment, as well as uncontrolled waste incineration, are also considered. Mass flow analysis (MFA) is applied to illustrate the quantities of waste streams. The WFD also supports SDG indicator 11.6.1 (Collection and treatment of municipal waste in controlled facilities) and improves its informative value.
WFD System Map for Municipal Solid Waste and Plastic Flows
The WFD and UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise City tool are harmonized with the same data points, using the SDG 11.6.1 monitoring method (Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities out of total municipal solid waste generated). WFD provides ample opportunities for benchmarking of data between different cities. This online portal will catalogue WFD case studies data, which is quality controlled and analysed by the team who has experience and expertise on and off the field from all over the world. The online portal is designed in an open data approach enabling data sharing with other relevant data bases. To assist the users in conducting WFD assessments, further training materials developed can be found here.
Since launch it has been applied in more than 100 cities and encouraged informed-based decision-making and infrastructure investments in improving municipal solid waste management especially in cities in low-to-middle income countries. The application of the WFD has led to a many of results across many different contexts.
The Waste Flow Diagram (WFD) tool estimates the amounts of solid waste that leak into nature and oceans by various sources. Through a scenario function, it simulates how improved waste management could reduce environmental pollution and avoid marine litter.