Jim Baltaxe WEMO Photograph 019

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a volunteer from the Wellington Emergency Management Office sitting on a bed in a campervan. The campervan served as temporary accommodation for emergency management personnel who travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Jim Baltaxe WEMO Photograph 025

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel, including volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office, standing a temporary Civil Defence Report Centre in Christchurch.

Disaster waste management and the Christchurch experience

Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

Disasters can create the equivalent of 20 years of waste in only a few days. Disaster waste can have direct impacts on public health and safety, and on the environment. The management of such waste has a great direct cost to society in terms of labor, equipment, processing, transport and disposal. Disaster waste management also has indirect costs, in the sense that slow management can slow down a recovery, greatly affecting the ability of commerce and industry to re-start. In addition, a disaster can lead to the disruption of normal solid waste management systems, or result in inappropriate management that leads to expensive environmental remediation. Finally, there are social impacts implicit in disaster waste management decisions because of psychological impact we expect when waste is not cleared quickly or is cleared too quickly. The paper gives an overview of the challenge of disaster waste management, examining issues of waste quantity and composition; waste treatment; environmental, economic, and social impacts; health and safety matters; and planning. Christchurch, New Zealand, and the broader region of Canterbury were impacted during this research by a series of shallow earthquakes. This has led to the largest natural disaster emergency in New Zealand’s history, and the management of approximately 8 million tons of building and infrastructure debris has become a major issue. The paper provides an overview of the status of disaster waste management in Christchurch as a case study. A key conclusion is the vital role of planning in effective disaster waste management. In spite of the frequency of disasters, in most countries the ratio of time spent on planning for disaster waste management to the time spent on normal waste management is extremely low. Disaster waste management also requires improved education or training of those involved in response efforts. All solid waste professionals have a role to play to respond to the challenges of disaster waste management.

Rebekah Rogers WEMO Photograph 042

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a volunteer from the Wellington Emergency Management Office working at a table in the temporary emergency management offices at the Mainland Foundation Ball Park.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 014

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of members of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team walking through Latimer Square. In the background there are members from other emergency management teams including the China USAR team, the Tauranga Response Team, and the Red Cross.

Horizontal Infrastructure Rebuild Strategy Management Plan

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A plan which defines the strategy underlying the SCIRT rebuild programme.

Jim Baltaxe WEMO Photograph 024

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel standing outside a school in Christchurch.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - February 2011 - Photograph 30

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel walking through Latimer Square. In the background, portaloos, supplies, and tents have been set up for the emergency management teams working in Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

WEMO ERT Set 2 - February 2011 - Photograph 02

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office preparing for their journey to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background is the Wellington Emergency Management Office building.

WEMO ERT Set 2 - February 2011 - Photograph 01

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office preparing for their journey to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background is the Wellington Emergency Management Office building.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 004

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office preparing for their journey to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background is the Wellington Emergency Management Office building.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 086

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a stretcher bed and the belongings of a Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team member. The stretcher was set up in the hall of the Rima Park Scout Camp.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - March 2011 - Photograph 66

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of an excavator clearing rubble from several earthquake-damaged buildings on Manchester Street. In the foreground a member of an emergency management team is watching on. Several other emergency management personnel can also be seen in the distance.

Dan Neely WEMO Photograph 31

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office in a van.

Rebekah Rogers WEMO Photograph 112

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office in a van.

Jim Baltaxe WEMO Photograph 094

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a temporary emergency management office set up in a hall in Christchurch.

Rebekah Rogers WEMO Photograph 098

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel relaxing outside their campervans in Hagley Park.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - March 2011 - Photograph 48

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel taking a break in Latimer Square.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 269

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of workers in Latimer Square preparing food for emergency management personnel.

Rebekah Rogers WEMO Photograph 081

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a temporary emergency management centre set up in a hall after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Rebekah Rogers WEMO Photograph 080

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers working in a temporary emergency management centre set up after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - February 2011 - Photograph 81

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel in the Christchurch Art Gallery.

Rebekah Rogers WEMO Photograph 079

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of volunteers working in a temporary emergency management centre set up after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - March 2011 - Photograph 95

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of an emergency management member photographing the interior of an earthquake-damaged building.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 084

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of members of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team relaxing on stretcher beds. The stretchers were set up in the hall of the Rimu Park Scout Camp.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 085

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of members of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team relaxing on stretcher beds. The stretchers were set up in the hall of the Rimu Park Scout Camp.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 083

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of members of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team relaxing on stretcher beds. The stretchers were set up in the hall of the Rimu Park Scout Camp.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - March 2011 - Photograph 73

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel standing outside the Harcourts Building on Madras Street.

WEMO ERT Set 1 - February 2011 - Photograph 77

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel in a marquee outside the Christchurch Art Gallery.

WEMO ERT Set 3 - February 2011 - Photograph 023

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of emergency management personnel lining up for breakfast in Latimer Square.