The Waste Flow Diagram (WFD) Portal now offers a powerful new feature – the Scenarios Function. This tool enables users to explore different waste management scenarios by comparing the baseline situation (business-as-usual) to estimate the impacts of proposed interventions within the waste management system, effects of increasing population, etc. Additionally, a similar scenarios function is embedded in the WFD Excel spreadsheet, providing an alternative way to assess potential interventions. The example below illustrates how this was applied in a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Accessing the Scenarios Function on the WFD Portal

To begin using the scenarios feature, visit the WFD Portal and navigate to the Scenarios page. Here, you can model various waste management scenarios by inputting data on the following.

• Continent;
• Income level;
• Settlement type;
• Climate type;
• Principle geographic feature;
• Population.

The tool allows you to create your own test scenario to preview the function, providing a visual comparison of the baseline situation against scenarios that include targeted strategies like improving waste collection coverage or adapting to population growth.

You can also use a simplified form on the portal to create an example model based on validated data from studies that closely match the chosen criteria. The tool allows you to see the modelling results, including estimates of unmanaged waste and plastics leakage, and generates flow diagrams and Sankey diagrams for your hypothetical waste management system.

Assessing the Scenarios Function in the WFD Spreadsheet

To demonstrate how the scenarios function works on the WFD spreadsheet, we will use the Bosnia and Herzegovina case study. In this example, we examine three scenarios:

1. Baseline (Business-as-usual): The current waste management situation in Konjic without any new interventions.
2. Scenario 1: Introduction of EPR: This scenario explores the impact of implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a policy approach where producers are made responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, potentially leading to increased recycling and better waste management. Benefits could include a reduction in landfill use and an increase in the recycling rate, helping to decrease the environmental impact of waste.
3. Scenario 2: EPR + Enhanced Collection Systems: Building on Scenario 1, this scenario incorporates ambitious waste reduction goals and improvements to the waste collection system, aiming to reduce overall waste generation and enhance recycling rates. Benefits could include further reductions in waste generation, improved collection efficiency, and a significant decrease in uncollected and mismanaged waste.

How to Input Scenario Data

1. Scenario Data Entry: The first step is to input data for each scenario. This can be done on the "Scenario Data Entry" tab, where users can customize parameters such as the quantity of waste collected, rates of recycling, and costs associated with different waste management activities.
2. Results Summary: Once the data is entered, navigate to the "Results Summary" tab. Here, you will see a clear comparison between the baseline and the proposed scenarios. This tab provides insights into key metrics, including changes in recycling rates, landfill use, and the overall costs associated with each approach.

Why Use the Scenarios Function?

The Scenarios function is a valuable tool for experts, consultants, decision-makers, project developers, researchers and universities. It helps users to:

• Visualize the impact of different policy choices: By comparing baseline and intervention scenarios, stakeholders can make more informed decisions.
• Plan for the future: Testing various strategies before implementing them in reality can save time and resources.
• Understand economic and environmental benefits: The tool clearly shows how interventions like EPR or improved collection systems can lead to both economic savings and environmental improvements.

Get Started Today

This tool can help you understand the effects of different interventions on your waste management system. To explore the scenarios function and to model different waste management strategies, visit the WFD Portal here.