Improved Management of E-Waste and Healthcare Waste for Reduction of uPOPs Emissions

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The Parent project includes four main components, and a project management component, all together aiming at: (i) enhancing the existing air quality decision support system in Egypt; and (ii) reducing air emissions from two main sources of air pollution in Greater Cairo, which are the open burning of municipal solid waste and vehicle emissions. The cross cutting component on stakeholder engagement, awareness and communication will complement and support the other components.The initial project components of the Parent Project remain unchanged. A new component is added to the project through the proposed Additional Financing, which will expand the Project’s scope by supporting a transition towards a systems approach to improve management of eWaste and healthcare waste to reduce uPOPs emissions.This component includes three sub-components:Sub-component 6.1: Supporting effective E-Waste management, models, and solutions Activities under this sub-component include: (i) strategy development and guidance for used electronic equipment; (ii) technical assistance and capacity building for key public and private sector entities for implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes; (iii) technical assistance to eWaste recyclers for enhanced efficiency and safer/cleaner processing; (iv) developing training and educational material on globally harmonized waste and eWaste systems; (v) support for updating and monitoring eWaste data and establishment of an integrated management information system (MIS); (vi) piloting collection, safe dismantling, and recycling of E-Waste; (vii) testing of ‘take-back’ schemes and enhancing engagement with the private sector; (viii) testing of financing tools including subgrants for start-ups and small and medium enterprises in E-Waste recycling; and (ix) supporting integration of informal sector into the recycling industry.Sub-component 6.2: Supporting effective healthcare waste management, models, and solutions. Specific activities include: (i) development of key studies and plans on HCW and a country-wide plan for HCW management in line with new national solid waste management law; (ii) technical assistance and support for development of an integrated HCW MIS; and (iii) pilot and demonstration activities on best practices for recycling and re-sale of safely segregated HCW, and modeling public/private financing and investment models for collection and treatment of HCW.Sub-component 6.3: Supporting the preparation of Egypt’s application to Minamata Convention (Proposed GEF grant: US$0.33 million) Building on the results of sub-components 6.1 and 6.2, this sub-component’s activities include: (i) identifying regulatory and policy needs for meeting obligations of Minamata convention; (ii) identifying technical needs of EEAA and other agencies to meet Egypt’s commitments under the convention; and (iii) improving data and state of knowledge for successful preparation of the application.Sub-component 6.4: Supporting additional M&E and specialized project management costs (Technical Implementation Units (TIU)) This sub-component will support the management, communication and coordination activities of the Technical Implementation Unit (TIU) overseeing the implementation of the GEF additional activities, chaired by a representative of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority (WMRA) and comprising representatives from the Environmental Health Department of EEAA and the Stockholm Convention Focal Point. It will also support the PCU and the TIU specific monitoring and evaluation activities of Component 6 in accordance with GEF and uPOPs monitoring and reporting requirements.