Segregated carboard waste

Solid Waste Management

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Solid Waste Management

Country
Sector
Most major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Infrastructure
Sub Sector
Most major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Waste Management
Indicative Return
Describes the rate of growth an investment is expected to generate within the IOA. The indicative return is identified for the IOA by establishing its Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Return of Investment (ROI) or Gross Profit Margin (GPM).
20% - 25% (in IRR)
Investment Timeframe
Describes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.
Medium Term (5–10 years)
Market Size
Describes the value of potential addressable market of the IOA. The market size is identified for the IOA by establishing the value in USD, identifying the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) or providing a numeric unit critical to the IOA.
< USD 50 million
Average Ticket Size (USD)
Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.
USD 1 million - USD 10 million
Direct Impact
Describes the primary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
Indirect Impact
Describes the secondary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) Climate Action (SDG 13) Good health and well-being (SDG 3)

Business Model Description

Invest in/provide project financing to install biogas digesters for biodegradable waste management by Local Authorities (LAs), commercial establishments and households with end-use energy applications (thermal and electricity). There are 4 digester capacity levels in waste input: (i) Municipal councils: 10 tonnes/day; (ii) Urban councils and Pradeshiya sabha: 1 tonne/day; (iii) Institutions/Commercial: 500 kg/day; (iv) Households: 5 kg/day.

Biogas digesters: Presently, numerous private companies are involved with the design and installation of biogas systems, mainly for thermal energy applications. Design and development of biogas systems are also performed by R&D institutes, including universities. The lead government agency is the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC). Examples of companies active in the IOA:

Arpico Plastishells Limited: Since 2011, the company markets innovative biogas plants (Arpico Green Gas /Unit) in three capacities (0.5 m3, 1.0 m3 and 5.0 m3), which are all manufactured through a signed agreement with an inventor. These are promoted and sold to HHs, hotels, restaurants, manufacturing plants, large-scale businesses and SMEs, which can produce Biogas through organic waste (17).

Eco Tech Base (ETB): ETB is a private entity, working in RE, waste management and the agriculture sector since 2013. The biogas plant is one of their main products, with a wide range of capacities (3 kg/day to 2 t/day). A new invention named "Eco-Buddy" has been a popular design among institutions and households. So far, they have installed Biogas plants in 30 institutions, 5 LAs and 400 HHs (15).

Janathakshan (GTE) Limited: A not-for-profit company established in 2011 to promote sustainable and green solutions in the development of Sri Lanka and beyond. It specializes in promoting viable and decentralized RE options and has vast experience developing domestic/large-scale biogas systems. One of the highlights is the 20 t/day capacity biogas plant in a Municipal Council (16).

HELP-O: It works in 4 focus areas, Environment Conservation, Public-Private-Partnership for Social Responsible, Community Development, and Relief Assistance. One of the key programmes implemented is the deployment of biogas digesters. The first system was installed in 2004 (at a hospital), and since then, several such systems were installed covering institutions, domestic and communities (14).

Expected Impact

Deployment of biogas plants in LAs, institutions, commercial sector and HHs, while providing benefit of waste management, clean energy and organic fertilizer for agriculture.

How is this information gathered?

Investment opportunities with potential to contribute to sustainable development are based on country-level SDG Investor Maps.

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Country & Regions

Explore the country and target locations of the investment opportunity.
Country
Region
  • Sri Lanka: Western Province
  • Sri Lanka: Southern Province
  • Sri Lanka: Central Province
  • Sri Lanka: North Central Province
  • Sri Lanka: Eastern Province
Learn more

Sector Classification

Situate the investment opportunity within sustainability focused sector, subsector and industry classifications.
Sector

Infrastructure

Development need
A steady increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, improper management practices (open dumping, burning) and associated adverse impacts have been observed with urbanization in Sri Lanka. This topic has become a top item in political agendas because management practices have resulted in the growing health and environmental problems (1). Total MSW generated is 9,000 tonnes/day (9).

Policy Priority
The National Policy on Waste Management 2019 highlights objectives, guiding principles and policies for each waste category, including MSW (2). The National Policy on Sustainable Consumption and Production 2019 aims to minimize the natural resources and toxic materials used and the waste and pollutants generated throughout production and consumption (4).

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
A majority of waste collectors in Sri Lanka represent a socially marginalized group (6). In particular, most are women. Improper waste management practices adversely affect women and marginalized groups (including health issues), while proper waste management contributes to economic empowerment by improving social and economic conditions (7).

Investment opportunities introduction
Demand for energy, clean water, and waste management, among others, is growing in rural and urban sectors. The government has pledged better infrastructure in burgeoning cities, suburbs, and villages. Regulatory restrictions have forced waste producers, such as livestock farms and hotels, to invest in onsite treatment, thus creating investment opportunities (9).

Key bottlenecks introduction
Inadequate human/physical resources and management skills in Local Authorities (LAs) for MSW management; Inability to successfully implement 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' practices and segregation; Inadequate funding for the proper management of solid waste; Absence of regulatory framework to adopt “Polluter Pays” approach effectively in managing solid waste (10).

Sub Sector

Waste Management

Development need
Biogas generated with Waste-to-Energy (WtE) solutions helps in waste management and is beneficial as a clean energy source and in providing fertilizer for agriculture (digestate released from biogas systems). Biogas systems could help manage waste across individual, institutional, industry and LA facilities, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (11).

Policy priority
Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) identify biogas in mitigation actions under the waste and agricultural sectors with clean energy options (9). Further, National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) includes the promotion and introduction of biogas technology for the management and treatment of biodegradable waste in households, institutions and LAs (1).

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Most informal waste collectors and waste scavengers are women and marginalized communities exposed to the adverse impacts of improper biodegradable waste management (7). Providing clean cooking fuel to replace conventional high-polluting fuelwood is another benefit for women (12). 2.8 mn conventional biomass cookstoves in Sri Lanka

Investment opportunities introduction
Biogas production is a sustainable solution to waste management, which provides benefits of "Triple Bottom Line" (social, environmental and financial), while also demonstrating triple benefits of technology (waste management, organic fertilizer and alternative energy) (11).

Key bottlenecks introduction
Barriers to biogas deployment include inadequate waste collection and segregation, challenges in implementing a new system to replace an existing design, unawareness about the biogas system, safety issues, inconsistencies in waste generation and challenges in obtaining capital for the instalment of biogas systems (10), (13).

Industry

Waste Management

Pipeline Opportunity

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Investment Opportunity Area

Solid Waste Management

Through Deployment of Decentralized Biogas Systems with Energy Applications
Business Model

Invest in/provide project financing to install biogas digesters for biodegradable waste management by Local Authorities (LAs), commercial establishments and households with end-use energy applications (thermal and electricity). There are 4 digester capacity levels in waste input: (i) Municipal councils: 10 tonnes/day; (ii) Urban councils and Pradeshiya sabha: 1 tonne/day; (iii) Institutions/Commercial: 500 kg/day; (iv) Households: 5 kg/day.

Biogas digesters: Presently, numerous private companies are involved with the design and installation of biogas systems, mainly for thermal energy applications. Design and development of biogas systems are also performed by R&D institutes, including universities. The lead government agency is the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC). Examples of companies active in the IOA:

Arpico Plastishells Limited: Since 2011, the company markets innovative biogas plants (Arpico Green Gas /Unit) in three capacities (0.5 m3, 1.0 m3 and 5.0 m3), which are all manufactured through a signed agreement with an inventor. These are promoted and sold to HHs, hotels, restaurants, manufacturing plants, large-scale businesses and SMEs, which can produce Biogas through organic waste (17).

Eco Tech Base (ETB): ETB is a private entity, working in RE, waste management and the agriculture sector since 2013. The biogas plant is one of their main products, with a wide range of capacities (3 kg/day to 2 t/day). A new invention named "Eco-Buddy" has been a popular design among institutions and households. So far, they have installed Biogas plants in 30 institutions, 5 LAs and 400 HHs (15).

Janathakshan (GTE) Limited: A not-for-profit company established in 2011 to promote sustainable and green solutions in the development of Sri Lanka and beyond. It specializes in promoting viable and decentralized RE options and has vast experience developing domestic/large-scale biogas systems. One of the highlights is the 20 t/day capacity biogas plant in a Municipal Council (16).

HELP-O: It works in 4 focus areas, Environment Conservation, Public-Private-Partnership for Social Responsible, Community Development, and Relief Assistance. One of the key programmes implemented is the deployment of biogas digesters. The first system was installed in 2004 (at a hospital), and since then, several such systems were installed covering institutions, domestic and communities (14).

Business Case

Learn about the investment opportunity’s business metrics and market risks.

Market Size and Environment

Market Size (USD)
Describes the value in USD of a potential addressable market of the IOA.

< USD 50 million

CAGR
Describes the historical or expected annual growth of revenues in the IOA market.

> 25%

Critical IOA Unit
Describes a complementary market sizing measure exemplifying the opportunities with the IOA.

10 tonnes/day-12 units; 1 tonnes/day-90 units; 500 kg/day-450 units and 5 kg/day - 55,000 units.

The total MSW generated is 9,000 tonnes/day. LAs collect 3,500 tonnes/day, while individual waste generators manage the balance. Biodegradable component of MSW is about 60%, and 1,000 tonnes/day is composted (9), (18), (19). Thus, there is an untreated biodegradable waste of 4,400 tonnes/day. The IOA needs 710 tonnes/day (16%) of the biodegradable waste available for treatment.

The demand for biogas units arises in all the waste generation and management sectors. Among all 341 LAs, there is only one sanitary landfill and there are 338 open dumpsites, in which 2,000 tonnes are dumped daily (19). The IOA targets to cater to 210 tonnes/day of this amount (10.5%) in 102 LAs (30%) during the first ten years.

Demand for biogas units arises in HHs, institutions and commercial sectors due to the need for waste management and access to cleaner fuel. There are 1,800 large establishments under the Energy Manager regulation (20), (21), and the IOA targets 25% of them. In HHs, there is a demand for biogas to replace conventional fuelwood cook stoves and LPG stoves (13), and the IOA targets 1% of them.

Indicative Return

IRR
Describes an expected annual rate of growth of the IOA investment.

20% - 25%

The initial investment for biogas plants would be relatively high compared to the profits gained in the first few years due to slow market penetration. However, there would be a gradual increase in demand. The typical profit margin used by the technology providers is about 20% of the cost of production.

The unit costs of production of the four capacity levels of 10 tonnes, 1 tonne, 500 kg and 5 kg per day of biogas plants are around USD95,000, USD20,000, USD15,000 and USD250, respectively.

Investment Timeframe

Timeframe
Describes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.

Medium Term (5–10 years)

Switching to biogas digesters in all the sectors would be gradual due to capacity limitations and market constraints such as limited access to finance. Hence, a medium-term timeframe.

The successful operation of biogas plants critically depends on the level of waste segregation, which is still generally not at a satisfactory level in the country. Even the capacity for the proper handling of the plants is a concern. Thus, the initial years need more emphasis on addressing these issues.

Though the operational cost of biogas plants is much less, the initial cost is relatively high. Therefore, to ensure sufficient demand over a longer period, the profit margin needs to be at a reasonably lower value in the initial years to gain the confidence of the target groups.

Ticket Size

Average Ticket Size (USD)
Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.

USD 1 million - USD 10 million

Market Risks & Scale Obstacles

Capital - CapEx Intensive

As the capital cost for biogas systems is high, limited access to finance hinders its market penetration (13).

Capital - Limited Investor Interest

Though biogas is a clean technology, there are limited financing schemes available in the local banks due to the unawareness of the potential for scale up.

Impact Case

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Sustainable Development Need

Improper waste management, particularly MSW, has been a concern in cities and human settlements, having multiple consequences and adversely affecting the local environment, particularly the marine environment, sensitive ecosystems, and biodiversity, leading to health concerns (1), (10).

Waste is one of the key sectors that contributes to GHG emissions, and the NDCs include several interventions to mitigate GHG emissions (9).

Lack of access to affordable, reliable and clean energy is a concern, particularly in HHs for cooking (22), (23).

Gender & Marginalisation

A large portion of informal waste collectors and waste scavengers are women and marginalized communities, thus improper management has affected adversely their health and quality of life (7).

Most women and marginalized communities are directly involved in high-polluting conventional biomass cooking. The provision for affordable and clean cooking fuel is required to improve their living standards (12), (24)

Expected Development Outcome

Large-scale deployment of biogas plants will reduce the waste diverted to open dumpsites of LAs, including waste dumping by individuals, and improve the environment of cities and human settlements (1), (10).

Biogas generation from waste is one of the most effective options for GHG emission reduction in the waste sector, thus contributing to the achievement of NDC targets by 2030 and the net carbon zero target by 2050 (9), (11).

Biogas is a clean energy option and affordable for most communities. The large-scale deployment of biogas plants will enhance access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy (11), (13).

Gender & Marginalisation

Deployment of biogas plants will reduce the amount of improperly managed waste, thus mitigating the exposure of women and marginalized groups to the polluted and unsafe environment (air, water) (6).

The deployment of biogas plants in HHs will provide cleaner fuel options for the communities, particularly women and marginalized groups heavily dependent on conventional, less-efficient cooking fuels and technologies.

Primary SDGs addressed

Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

11.6.1 Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities out of total municipal waste generated, by cities

Current Value

SDG data portal of the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) indicates "No Chart Data" (at the city level) (25). However, some recent publications include Provincial and National level data (9), (18), (19). Accordingly, at a national level, the proportion of the amount collected is about 40%, and the amount managed at control facilities is about 20% of the generated amount and 50% of the amount collected.

Target Value

IOA will contribute to the management of 710 tonnes/day, or 8% of the total MSW generated, i.e. 9,000 tonnes/day (9).

Secondary SDGs addressed

7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
13 - Climate Action
3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Directly impacted stakeholders

People

Benefit from employment opportunities for those engaged with waste management in 102 LAs selected, informal recyclers and waste scavengers.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization

Reduced exposure to the adverse impacts of improper management of biodegradable waste since most informal waste collectors and waste scavengers are women and marginalized communities.

Planet

The environment (biodiversity and ecosystems, land, water, air) will benefit with around 338 dumpsites in all LA regions.

Corporates

Improved income with commercial establishments and private institutes (among 450), who have opted for the biogas plants; 05 Biogas technology suppliers.

Public sector

Improved income with proper waste management with 102 LAs, Government Institutes (among 450), who have opted for the biogas plants.

Indirectly impacted stakeholders

People

The majority of the communities in the cities and human settlements exposed to improper management of MSW in 102 LAs selected will benefit. Farmer communities will benefit from utilizing the organic fertilizer generated in biogas plants.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization

Women and marginalized groups heavily dependent on conventional low efficient cooking fuels and technologies will benefit from cleaner cooking fuel options.

Planet

The whole world will benefit through GHG emission and climate change mitigation. Reduction of chemical fertilizer usage due to the availability of organic fertilizer generated in the biogas plants.

Corporates

Opportunities with biogas service providers (repair and maintenance), and biogas appliance suppliers (cook stoves, boilers, furnaces, dryers).

Public sector

Other waste management authorities (national and provincial level) will also benefit from improved income.

Outcome Risks

Relatively high capital costs may hinder the prompt adoption of biogas plants, thus delaying the target installations, particularly for waste management in LAs and clean cooking in HHs.

The lack of knowledge and capacities among stakeholders on biogas plant operation may affect the technical and environmental performances, particularly during the initial stages of deployment.

The lack of availability of financing instruments among local banks to support the biogas technology suppliers and users may hinder market penetration.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: The relatively high cost of biogas plants and appliances may restrict their adoption by women and marginalized communities for HH cooking.

Impact Risks

Non-implementation of biogas plants will worsen the waste management problems in the country while aggravating the environment and social impacts at a local level.

Failure to implement the biogas programme will affect the national targets in climate change mitigation (achieving NDCs by 2030 and a net zero carbon pledge by 2050).

Failure to adopt biogas as a clean fuel in HHs will lead to continued use of high-polluting cooking fuels and technologies, with high health risks due to indoor air pollution.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: Failure to deploy biogas plants in HHs will restrict women and marginalized groups from shifting to affordable and clean forms of cooking energy.

Impact Classification

C—Contribute to Solutions

What

Deployment of biogas plants for sustainable waste management to mitigate local and global environmental issues, while providing co-benefits through the provision of clean fuel.

Risk

Lack of expertise and capacities to manage biogas plants and limited access to finance.

Contribution

Sustainable biodegradable waste management while generating cleaner and affordable fuel/energy. Particularly women dependent on conventional cooking fuels. 2.8 mn conventional biomass cookstoves in Sri Lanka.

Impact Thesis

Deployment of biogas plants in LAs, institutions, commercial sector and HHs, while providing benefit of waste management, clean energy and organic fertilizer for agriculture.

Enabling Environment

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Policy Environment

National Policy on Waste Management (2019): This policy provides a set of general policies covering all forms of waste together and specific policies related to solid, liquid and gaseous waste. MSW is among the solid waste, and there are 24 policy statements related to MSW management (2).

National Environmental Policy and Strategies (2003): It emphasizes that caring for the environment is the duty of all institutions, government or non-government organisations, and all individuals who use, or otherwise carry out activities that impact resources of the environment (3).

National Policy on Sustainable Consumption and Production (2019): This is an overarching and cross-cutting policy applicable to all sectors where the consumption or production of a good or service is involved in any form. One of the ten thrust themes of the policy is waste (4).

National Climate Change Policy, 2003: Refers to waste management through GHG mitigation, emphasizing the adoption of integrated waste management systems for all types of wastes and assigning priority to adopt nationally appropriate low greenhouse gas emitting technologies (5).

Financial Environment

Although the National Policy on Waste Management emphasizes that appropriate financial mechanisms shall be developed to encourage LAs and provide tax concessions for machinery and technology importation in waste management. No specific programmes are in place yet (2).

Sri Lanka Green Finance Taxonomy (2022): It facilitates the disclosure of taxonomy-aligned activities and offering of green finance products, by market participants including local financial institutions and large corporations. It specifically covers construction/operation of biogas systems (30).

Although the National Policy on Waste Management emphasizes that appropriate market mechanisms and tools shall be developed to improve the cost effectiveness of waste management with suitable private public partnerships, no specific programmes are in place yet (2).

Regulatory Environment

National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Regulations No. 1 of 2008: According to this regulation (and subsequent amendments), no person shall, discharge, deposit or emit waste into the environment or carry any prescribed activity that causes, or is likely to cause pollution (26).

National Environmental (Stationary Sources Emission Control) Regulations, No. 01 of 2019: According to this, any person who manages, or is in control of any stationary source that emanates stack emissions, shall construct such stationary sources in conformity with the standards specified (27).

National Environmental (MSW) Regulations (2009): This prohibits dumping of MSW along sides of any national highway or at any place other than places designated for such purpose by the relevant LA or any person or body of persons authorized by them in that behalf (28).

National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Regulations (2008): This covers issuance of environmental protection license for emission or disposal of waste; and issuance of license for the management of waste (29).

Marketplace Participants

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Private Sector

Design/constuction of biogas plants will be done by private companies, such as HELP-O, Eco Tech Base, Janathakshan GTE Ltd, Arpico Plastishells Ltd, and Bio Fuel Lanka. Institutions/ commercial sector/HH will be the users of biogas plants.

Government

102 LAs such as Kandy MC (Municipal Council), Maharagama UC (Urban Council), Homagama PS (Pradeshiya Sabha), Kesbewa UC, Beruwala UC, Kalmunai MC, Batticaloa MC, Akkaraipatthu MC, Kattankudy UC. Further, Institutional users of biogas plants include government sector agencies.

Multilaterals

UNDP, FAO (for technical and financial assistance).

Non-Profit

Integrated Development Association (IDEA), Sarvodaya, IUCN, SLYCAN Trust, National Cleaner Production Center (NCPC), Energy Forum

Public-Private Partnership

The implementation of biogas systems in LAs (particularly the larger capacity of 10 tonnes/day) could be best managed with PPP business models, with the utilization of energy and liquid fertilizer generated.

Target Locations

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country static map
semi-urban

Sri Lanka: Western Province

Locations for biogas plants are based on the criticality of MSW management issues in LAs and demand centres (institutions, commercial establishments and HHs - urban and rural). The Western Province has several LAs with MSW issues and demand for other target groups.
rural

Sri Lanka: Southern Province

The Southern Province has several LAs with MSW issues and demand for biogas plants, particularly in hotels, institutions, commercial establishments and HHs.
rural

Sri Lanka: Central Province

The Central Province has several LAs with MSW management issues and demand for biogas plants, particularly in hotels, farms, institutions, commercial establishments and HHs.
rural

Sri Lanka: North Central Province

The North Central Province has several LAs with MSW management issues and demand for biogas plants, particularly in hotels, farms, institutions, commercial establishments and HHs.
rural

Sri Lanka: Eastern Province

The Eastern Province has a few LAs with MSW management issues and demand for biogas plants, particularly in hotels, farms, and commercial establishments.

References

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