Project: Transnet/ Swaziland Rail Project EIA Report for ... Rail Link... · Project 109578 File Transnet Waste Management_EIA.docx 14 November 2013 Revision 0 Page 3 5. Waste streams

Project: Transnet/ Swaziland Rail Project

EIA Report for Solid Waste Management

Reference: 109578

Prepared for: Transnet/ Swaziland Rail

Revision: 0

14 November 2013

Project 109578 File Transnet Waste Management_EIA.docx 14 November 2013 Revision 0 Page 0

Contents

EIA Report for Solid Waste Management 1

1. INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Purpose 1

1.2 Objective 1

2. Background 1

3. Legislation 2

4. Methodology/ Approach 2

5. Waste streams 3

5.1 Description of waste streams expected during Operational Phase 3

5.2.1. Rail 3

5.2.2. Refuelling yard 4

6. Value Improving Process 5

6.1 Waste Management Process Flow 5

6.2 Waste Hierarchy 6

7. WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN 7

7.1 Solid waste management during the Construction phase: 7

7.2 Solid waste management during Maintenance 10

7.3 Solid waste management during the Operational phase: 11

Index of Figures

Figure 1: Waste Management Process Flow 5

Figure 2: Waste Hierarchy 6

Figure 3: 2.5m3 skip 9

Figure 4:210 litre waste oil drum 9

Figure 5: 240 litre recycling bins 9

Figure 6: Worker doing maintenance on railway line 10

Index of Tables

Table 1: Classification of various waste streams expected during the operational and construction

phases 3


1. INTRODUCTION

The waste management planning and strategy primarily focuses on the shift from traditional

waste management to sustainable solutions. The focus in this phase of the study is to

develop a waste collection point for the railway yard expansions and the new rail corridor

proposed, as well as the rail line expansion and to limit waste streams. The planning will

largely look at waste separation, recycling, and reduction of waste streams generation

through improved technologies and approaches from the inputting disciplines. Greater focus

on awareness and compliance are some of the objectives of the waste management

strategy. This report will focus on management of solid waste generated during construction

and operational phases.

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to promote “Best Practices” for the new rail corridor, as well as

rail line expansion through the identification of current waste management risks which will

have a potential detrimental effect to the environment (on land) and health impact.

1.2 Objective

The project was initiated to accomplish several objectives:

Catalogue best management practices

Value improving process

2. Background

1Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) commissioned a concept level study in 2011 to investigate the

provision of a rail link between Lothair (South Africa) and a suitable location along the

existing Swaziland railway network. The concept unlocks potential for a multinational

strategic rail corridor, while at the same time relieving pressure from the heavy haul Richards

Bay Coal Line and general freight Eastern Mainline to Maputo. The follow components are

currently being investigated through various EIA studies, which also form the basis of this

waste management study:

New link line proposed between Sidvokodvo (Swaziland) and Lothair (RSA). This

cross border link line traverses the boundaries of Swaziland and South Africa.

o New link from Lothair (RSA) to Nerston (RSA border): 52km

o New link from Nerston (RSA border) to Sidvokodvo (Swaziland): 95 km

Line upgrade between Davel yard and Lothair (RSA): 100 km

Line upgrade (new line proposed) between Sidvokodvo (Swaziland) and Phuzumoya

(West) (Swaziland): 35 km

1 Swaziland Rail Link FEL-2 Pre-Feasibility Report (February 2013)


Line upgrade (new line proposed) between Phuzumoya (West) (Swaziland) and

Goela (RSA): 109 km

Line upgrade (new line proposed) between Golela (RSA) and Nsese (RSA): 182 km

Expansion of Davel yard (RSA): New fuel depot proposed

Expansion of Nsese yard (RSA): New fuel depot proposed

Expansion of Phuzomoya yard (Swaziland): New fuel depot proposed

3. Legislation

The part of legislation most pertinent to the management of waste in South Africa is the

National Environmental Management Waste Act, (Act 59 of 2008) (NEM:WA). The Act was

promulgated in order to provide for institutional arrangement and planning matters, to provide

for national norms and standards for regulating management of waste by all spheres of

government, to provide for the licensing and control of waste management activities and all

matters connected therewith. In essence it provides the much needed legislative framework

for the management of waste in South Africa.

In addition to the NEM:WA, the following legislation, inter alia, also plays a role in waste

management in South Africa:

The South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996);

Hazardous Substances Act (Act 5 of 1973);

Health Act (Act 63 of 1977);

Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989);

Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993);

National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998);

The National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998);

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002); and

The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004).

4. Methodology/ Approach

The core activity of the project team has been a series of activities which entails the

following:

Site visit

Liaison with client;

Information gathering;

Review of information received and

Research.


5. Waste streams

With specific regards to new refilling stations at the various railway yards and construction of

new railway lines, separation, storage and discard of waste construction material and

hydrocarbon contaminated waste are key waste issues that need to be addressed.

Table below provides a summary of waste materials produced from the Ore Line and their

relevant classification.

Table 1: Classification of various waste streams expected during the operational and construction phases

WASTE WASTE CLASSIFICATION

OPERATIONAL PHASE

Waste tyres Industrial/Commercial waste

Oil filters/ fuel filters Hazardous solid waste

Liquid Waste (Waste Oil) Hazardous waste

Absorbents ( e.g. spent oil spill material) Hazardous solid waste

Inert waste (e.g. rags, packaging etc.) Hazardous solid waste

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Waste construction material (e.g. scrap metal, waste concrete)

General solid waste

General household waste from construction camps

General solid waste

Unwashed waste ballast Hazardous solid waste

5.1 Description of waste streams expected during Operational Phase

5.2.1. Rail

The waste likely to be generated from the rail during the operational phase can be caused by

overfilling or an accident. Ballast on the railway lines can become contaminated with

hydrocarbons, and should be cleaned every 3-4 years by use of a ballast cleaner. Over time

ballast can also become worn out and weathered and thus lose its angularity and in turn

become less effective. Ballast cleaning involves the removal of worn ballast and the

replacement with new ballast. Cleaned “waste/ worn ballast” can be disposed of as general

solid waste.


5.2.2. Refuelling yard

Spillages during refuelling of trains could occur at the railway yards. The contaminated soil

containing hydrocarbons would need to be removed off site and disposed of in a suitable

manner. Spill kits must be provided at site to avoid spillages.


6. Value Improving Process

6.1 Waste Management Process Flow

A typical process flow for a waste management system is depicted in Figure 1 below

Figure 1: Waste Management Process Flow


6.2 Waste Hierarchy

Implementation requires that business and industries move away from traditional “end of

pipe” solutions that focus on waste after it has been generated i.e., collection, transport,

processing, recycling or disposal of waste material to a service which focuses on the

prevention of waste as well as the minimisation of waste as a by-product of production. This

approach is a recognition of the widely adopted waste hierarchy which includes the 3Rs of

waste management i.e., reduce, reuse, and recycle as well as energy recovery. Only after

these efforts, should the residual waste be disposed of at landfill. The delivered service must

maximise efficiency and minimise environmental impacts and financial costs with the ultimate

aim of improving quality of life.

Figure 2: Waste Hierarchy

6.2.1. Waste Avoidance

Everyone has a responsibility to avoid waste production where possible.

6.2.2. Reduce and Reuse

Where waste is produced, the quantity of waste should be minimised. Implementation of

waste minimisation methods in existing and proposed operations will reduce the

environmental impacts. The reduction of waste is sound economics for all parties as it means

that resources are used more effectively is being utilised and resources are not spending

time on handling the waste in the most suitable manner.

6.2.3. Recycling

When reuse can no longer be carried out, the materials should preferably be recycled back

into similar products or become secondary raw materials for the production of new products.

Generally producing new products from recycled materials consumes less energy and

minimises the impact on the environment. In addition to conserving resources and reducing


the environmental impacts, recycling also minimizes the use of landfill space, an important

waste management objective.

6.2.4. Extraction

This is a process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical physical or mechanical means.

Extraction technology provides important benefits for remediation and treatment for land disposal:

By-product credits for the recovered organics;

Significant volume reduction of the treated solids;

Effluent water acceptable for conventional wastewater treatment; and

An environmentally acceptable extraction solvent with low residues.

6.2.5. Recovery

Recovery can be a viable option after reduction, reuse, and recycling have been fully

explored. It can involve for example, incineration of waste and heat generation. The heat

generation can be converted into power to be used commercially or domestically.

6.2.6. Education and Awareness

Training and Awareness for Waste Management should be implemented as a “value ads” at

the railway yards by implementing the following objectives:

To inform and educate the staff about the basic matters of environmental awareness

and energy efficiency;

The impact of spillages and how it can be avoided.

Contamination due to poor maintenance of equipment and how it can impact the

environment and human health.

To look at handling of waste in a precaution any measure in regards to the “Do’s and

Don’ts” of waste handling.

Ensuring waste contractors are skilled to manage waste generation on site.

7. WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

7.1 Solid waste management during the Construction phase:

Construction waste consists of mainly of unwanted or unused material produced by the

construction company responsible for the construction or upgrade of the railway line. This

waste will be produced either directly or indirectly by the construction team and temporarily

stored at the pre-cast yard. Other waste would be the result of packaging and general food

and beverage waste. Waste generated during the construction phase will mainly form part of

the following waste streams:


Waste from precast yard:

Waste Concrete

Cement bags

Off cut steel

Cardboard

Recyclable plastic

Used Equipment oil/ lubricants

Oily rags

Waste from site camps for workers:

Food and beverage waste

Dry waste

Separation and recycling of the above waste streams are essential.

Waste concrete and cement bags can be stored 2.5 m3 waste skips (Refer to figure

3).

Waste steel can be placed in a separate 2.5 m3 waste skips.

Cardboard and recyclable plastic is regarded as “dry waste” and can be grouped

together and stored in one 2.5 m3 waste skip designated for recyclable materials.

Used equipment oil and lubricants can be temporarily stored in 210 litre drums (Refer

to figure 4). Oily rags should be kept in a separate skip or drum depending on the

quantity of waste rags.

240 litre bins can be placed in areas near offices as well as the eating areas, so

workers will be able to separate their general waste (Refer to figure 5).

All skips and waste drums must be cordoned off and stored in a designated area. Clear

signage must be used to mark the various drums and skips to stipulate what waste can be

deposited into each storage container.

All other waste materials not listed above, will be handled as general refuse. All waste is to

be disposed of at a licensed and permitted landfill site. All oil related waste must be

transported to a licenced hazardous landfill site.


Figure 3: 2.5m3 skip

Figure 4:210 litre waste oil drum

Figure 5: 240 litre recycling bins

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=oKMgxnw-yuA3uM&tbnid=02UhTNqdLCYFkM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.yesrecycling.co.za/recycling-bins-catalogue.html&ei=B9WEUob_K6qG0AWv5ICQDQ&bvm=bv.56343320,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNHYvbjHoNAjh8z8fcEOLsr-4FcLkg&ust=1384523375343639


7.2 Solid waste management during Maintenance

Rail maintenance requires a specialised set of skills and can involve the following tasks:

Replacement of railway sleepers

Welding of railway tracks

New rail work installations

De-stressing of rail tracks

Railway turnouts

Railway scissor crossing replacement and new railway scissor crossing installations

Rail track 2ballast screening

Rail track formation

Removal/ replacement of rail tracks, railway turn outs and railway guard rails

Figure 6: Worker doing maintenance on railway line

Waste streams expected from maintenance activities:

Waste Concrete;

Off cut steel;

Cardboard;

Recyclable plastic;

Used Equipment oil/ lubricants

Oily rags

Dry waste

Waste Ballast from railway lines proposed to be upgraded

Wooden beams from old railway lines

General waste

2.5 m3 waste skips must be placed strategically along the railway line when maintenance

occurs. A waste contractor will be responsible to collect full skips and dispose the waste to a

licenced landfill site. 2 Ballast cleaning involves cleaning and removal of unwanted ballast. A ballast cleaning machine

extracts the old ballast from under the sleepers with a chain, and transports it to a screen, which recollects any usable material. The usable ballast is then returned to the track. Other material is removed on conveyor belts to wagons.


Proper handling and disposal of hydrocarbon contaminated ballast is required. These must

be disposed of at a hazardous landfill site as the waste ballast may contain oils and grease.

A waste manifest document must be issued by the waste contractor.

7.3 Solid waste management during the Operational phase:

Different waste types are to be expected during the operation phase of a railway line. Waste

is to be separated and stored in separate 2.5 m3 skips within each railway yard,

Key waste streams expected during the operational phase:

Railway yard:

Empty fuel drums

Used Oil

Oil filters

Oily rags

Waste steel

Wooden beams from old railway lines

Dry waste, i.e. Cardboard and plastic

General waste

Driver stops:

Food and beverage waste (general waste)

Dry waste

Separation and recycling of the above waste streams are essential. i.e hydrocarbon

contaminated waste such as oily rags and oil filters are not to be mixed with any other waste

stream. This waste is to be transported and disposed of at a hazardous landfill site. Waste

collectors will be responsible for collection and proper disposal of all waste streams.

Waste steel can be placed in a separate 2.5 m3 waste skips.

Cardboard and recyclable plastic is regarded as “dry waste” and can be grouped

together and stored in one 2.5 m3 waste skip designated for recyclable materials.

Wooden beams can be stored in a 2.5 m3 waste skip.

Used equipment oil and lubricants can be temporarily stored in 210 litre drums. Oily

rags should be kept in a separate skip or drum depending on the quantity of waste

rags.

240 litre bins can be placed in areas near offices as well as the eating areas, so

workers will be able to separate their general waste.

All skips and waste drums must be cordoned off and stored in a designated area. Clear

signage must be used to mark the various drums and skips to stipulate what waste can be

deposited into each storage container.


All other waste materials not listed above, will be handled as general refuse. All waste is to

be disposed of at a licensed and permitted landfill site. All oil related waste must be

transported to a licenced hazardous landfill site.


Documents

Project: Transnet/ Swaziland Rail Project EIA Report for ... Rail Link... · Project 109578 File Transnet Waste Management_EIA.docx 14 November 2013 Revision 0 Page 3 5. Waste streams