Amajirionwu, M,Connaughton, N,McCann, B,Moles, R,Bartlett, J,O'Reaan, B

2008

September

Journal of Environmental Management

Indicators for managing biosolids in Ireland

Published

biosolids sustainable development indicators indicator framework stakeholders participatory approach SEWAGE-SLUDGE

88

1361

1372

Sustainable development indicators (SDIs) have emerged as a tool to measure progress towards sustainable development for a number of fields. However, no indicator initiative to date has been aimed at biosolids management at local authority, regional or national levels. This paper presents a study where stakeholders involved in the management of biosolids in Ireland participated ill the development of SDIs For managing biosolids at the local/regional level. A significant 81% of participating stakeholders find SDIS either 'useful' or 'very useful' as a tool for managing biosolids. A suite of 22 indicators has been developed and arranaged according to the driving force- pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) indicator framework. The indicators address all the domains of biosolids management namely, production, quality, cost, legislation/regulation, training/research and recycling/disposal. The stakeholder approach is recognition that no effective indicator set clan be developed without the input of stakeholders. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.07.003