A Material Recovery Facility (MAREFA) is a space that receives, sorts, processes and stores recyclable materials to be shipped and marketed to end-users. MAREFA accepts materials, whether source separated or mixed, and segregates, processes and stores them for later use as raw materials for remanufacturing and reprocessing. The main function of the MAREFA is to maximize resource recovery while producing materials that will generate the highest possible revenues in the market. MAREFA will also function to process wastes into a feedstock for biological conversion or into a fuel source for the production of energy. MAREFA serves as an intermediate processing step between the collection of recyclable materials from waste generators and the sale of recyclable materials to markets for use in making new products. There are basically four components of MAREFA: sorting, processing, storage, and load-out. MAREFA is privately owned and operated by COBWAMM.
Increased human consumption and production as a result of lifestyle changes
Increasing volume and variety of items to be recovered from the markets up the value chain in recycling and manufacturing.
Increased demand versus supply of 'recoverables' to the job market
Population growth as a result of rapid urbanization
Importance of understanding demand versus supply on the waste management value chain is important
The effectiveness of the facility is dependant on the quality of human resources and handling tools inside the facility.
Awareness of generators on the importance of sorting at source is critical.
Plastic has adverse effects on the environment thus requiring recovery but it doesn't always make business sense (better to sort at source).
Advice to anyone wishing to establish MAREFA: Let it be market-driven!
Effective customer service is achieved through the development of an online payment system and customer service enabled mobile app (currently under development). These measures enable clients to interact with the service, submit applications, requests, and payments and even look for any upcoming value chain services.
The existence of a mobile-based payment system and customer service app, enables the customers and other actors to interact with the service providers providing valuable feedback on the kinds of services they demand, hence increasing the effectiveness of service delivery.
The community we are serving is urban and trending towards high levels of smart phone ownership and internet access.
Service delivery through mobile-based applications enables information to be passed easily to users. This has helped increase community awareness of proper waste management practices.
The majority of the community we intend to serve are conversant with the mobile-based payment system in Kenya and thus, the mobile-based text (USSD) has helped facilitate the services where smartphones could not reach.
Some youths and women we target to subscribe to the franchise model of the waste collection are technologically shy and require encouragement.
The project references and aligns with the relevant legal framework making it easier to influence and persuade current and prospective clients. The existence of a County legal framework on waste governance is critical for the success of the project.
The National Solid Waste Management Strategy spells out national targets on waste management and is also important for the project.
Existence of a waste governance structure that includes the National Solid Waste Management Strategy and the National Sustainable Waste Management Bill, 2019. They are important enablers of the implementation of waste management project by helping regularise and organize all actors within the waste value chain.
The role of government in waste management is critical and manifests through policies and bills which have proven to be the blue print and reference point for actors in the sector.
There is, however, the challenge of policy overlaps which can result in hefty charges and taxes within the waste sector.
BB1. Organising stakeholder engagement and public participation
BB2. Creating a vision and objectives for MSP
BB3. Building scenarios for MSP
BB4. Sector analysis and briefings
BB5. Spatial database and filling data gaps
Production of scientific knowledge
The Mamirauá Institute provides scientific knowledge inputs to local communities and this is relayed to communities and indigenous peoples, applying Conservation Area governance processes.
This knowledge arises from 4 lines of action:
Environmental education
Environmental protection
Strengthening the community
Communication within the community
The production of knowledge seeks to create medium and long-term solutions.
Respect and dialogue: The knowledge generated is given to the communities but not imposed on them. They are the ones who decide whether the proposed strategies are implemented.
Each community and group is different and one should never assume that what works for one community will work for the neighbouring community. (These are not replicable models.)
Contexts, leadership and ways of working vary. If these differences are not taken into account, conservation processes become complicated and even impossible to develop.
Working closely with the community respects the diversity of traditions, acknowledging elements of a backward nature.
The community work must begin with the interests and needs of the community itself; the work should act as the protagonist in the solution to problems.
The purpose of the governance processes that the Institute applies is to facilitate communication processes between the organization and the communities, using methodology based on inclusive management workshops.
In the Brazil region, it is known that nature conservation is 90% related to local communities. Bearing this in mind, the Institute is building relationships and creating a long-term work plan.
The bonds of trust that are established with the communities are crucial to being able to work closely with them.
Government governance processes
Governance processes in indigenous and community-based conservation areas.
Several organizations have participated in initiatives in an effort to ensure conservation in and development of communities. However they have not been able to do so because they have not been able to understand and respect the communities.
Various organizations still do not understand that 90% of conservation projects involve communities and indigenous peoples
It is important to work hand in hand with government governance processes; effective management of the territory will be achieved by involving stakeholders.
