RHU end-of-life management
Key takeaways from external
consultancy
Eva Porcuna Ferrer / eva.ferrer@bettershelter.org
UK Shelter Forum 2024
Better Shelter
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About
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Better Shelter
is a Swedish non-profit organization committed to increasing the safety and dignity of forcibly-displaced persons.
Founded in 2014 in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and the IKEA Foundation.
We have delivered 90,000 shelters to 82 countries.
The Middle East, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Americas.
We support humanitarian organizations with research, development, training and provision of temporary shelter.
Better Shelter
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Our relief units
Relief Housing Unit (RHU)
A shelter that arrives with all parts �in a flatpack and is easy to assemble for immediate safety and dignity in emergency response
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RHU Structure
A shelter that can be upgraded and lasts throughout the duration of displacement beyond its basic purpose as emergency shelter
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Better Shelter
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Where are we when it comes to sustainability?
However, end-of-life considerations have not been adequately addressed
Need for guidance on sustainable disposal methods, identification of local waste management initiatives and for exploring recycling and upcycling initiatives
For the last few years we have been focusing on conducting an LCA and decreasing our CO2 emissions upstream following the “cradle to gate” concept
Aim to be part of the efforts towards sustainable humanitarian practice worldwide
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Research approach
Relief Housing Unit (RHU)
A resistant shelter that arrives with all parts �in a flatpack and is easy to assemble for immediate safety and dignity in emergency response
Desk research
Stakeholder identification
Global level consultation
Field level engagement
Identification of additional stakeholders
Report writing and strategy proposal
Methodology
Provide guidance to us and our partners in effectively managing the end-of-life of RHUs
Contribute to the concept of circular economy within humanitarian shelter efforts
Offer recommendations for future actions
Objectives
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Participants
Map 1: Countries where the interviewed participants work or operate
100
individuals from the humanitarian sector engaged in the study
45
semi-structured interviews conducted
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Key takeaways
Map 2: Countries where the RHU waste management initiatives took place
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RHU waste management initiatives identified
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Key takeaways
UNHCR Colombia
Map 2: Countries where the RHU waste management initiatives took place
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Key takeaways
SEEDS India
Map 2: Countries where the RHU waste management initiatives took place
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Key takeaways
1. Reuse & repurposing
2. Recycling in facility
4. Reverse
logistics
Use of a product more than once in its original form, or find a new alternative use for it
Recycling the material in an existing facility within the country
Taking the material back to the manufacturer or to existing recycling facilities with stronger recycling capacities
3. Set up a new
recycling facility
Set up a new recycling facility in the country
5. Responsible
disposal
Safely managing waste to protect human health and the environment
There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, tailored approaches are crucial for effective waste management in humanitarian contexts
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Key takeaways
Waste in humanitarian contexts
Institutional image
Unclear agency in final shelter decision
Lack of funding
Communication with partners
Main challenges
Opportunities
Providing comprehensive information
Keep improving the RHU design
Exploring different options for waste management
Collaboration
Advocacy
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Next steps
Information & Capacity Building for partners
External coordination and collaboration
Follow up on our partners’ initiatives and explore potential collaborations
Map recycling facilities
Short term
Mid term
Long term
Design improvement
Expand waste management initiatives
Further research on reverse logistics for the plastic panels
Explore collaborations with universities and public sector
Explore the feasibility of establishing small-scale recycling projects in humanitarian settings
Formalise waste management within the RHUs deployment process
Explore alternatives to plastics
Continuous improvement and search for new environmental solutions
Better Shelter
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Next steps
Information & Capacity Building for partners
External coordination and collaboration
Follow up on our partners’ initiatives and explore potential collaborations
Map recycling facilities
Short term
Mid term
Long term
Design improvement
Expand waste management initiatives
Further research on reverse logistics for the plastic panels
Explore collaborations with universities and public sector
Explore the feasibility of establishing small-scale recycling projects in humanitarian settings
Formalise waste management within the RHUs deployment process
Explore alternatives to plastics
Continuous improvement and search for new environmental solutions
Better Shelter
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Next steps
Information & Capacity Building for partners
External coordination and collaboration
Follow up on our partners’ initiatives and explore potential collaborations
Map recycling facilities
Short term
Mid term
Long term
Design improvement
Expand waste management initiatives
Further research on reverse logistics for the plastic panels
Explore collaborations with universities and public sector
Explore the feasibility of establishing small-scale recycling projects in humanitarian settings
Formalise waste management within the RHUs deployment process
Explore alternatives to plastics
Continuous improvement and search for new environmental solutions
Better Shelter
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Big THANK YOU to all participants and to our partners for the time and dedication,
and to Alicia Gimeno Blanco for this extensive research, for your knowledge and input
Thank you!
Eva Porcuna Ferrer
eva.ferrer@bettershelter.org
Better Shelter
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Better Shelter
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