This document examines the feasibility of separation at the source in Haifa and focuses on Greater Neve Sha’anan as a pilot area. It is important to note that this document relates to the separation of waste into two streams only: a clean wet stream, which contains organic waste and is intended for biological treatment, and a dry stream that contains all other components, such as: plastic, metal, glass and more. In facility, it will be possible to separate the dry stream into the various components and sell them as raw material. The emphasis of this program is on keeping organic matter free of dry ingredients.
The findings of this study indicate the economic feasibility of implementing a separation plan at the source in Greater Neve Sha’anan. Only the savings from preventing the landfill levy will be NIS 625,000 in 2011 (about two years after the implementation of the), and when the program is expanded to the rest of the city’s neighborhoods, the Haifa Municipality will save close to NIS 3 million annually. The higher the landfill levy, the greater the feasibility of implementing alternative waste treatment solutions. In this respect, the Haifa Municipality is a pioneer, which has identified an opportunity to turn waste treatment from a nuisance into a resource.
