Disaster waste management process: The case of February 6 earthquake

Abstract

Disaster wastes generated after earthquakes have a negative impact on the environment and living beings and cause damages that last for many years. Within the scope of the study, it is aimed to reveal the importance of the disaster waste management process.For this purpose, the disaster waste management process in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake centered on February 6, which is the world's biggest disaster in 2023, was discussed. In this context, document/record and case study methods were used. In this context, "Waste Management Regulation", "Regulation on Regular Storage of Waste" and "Regulation on the Control of Excavation Soil, Construction and Demolition Waste" were examined. Also, The Landfill Directive, which concerns all member countries of the European Union and is included in the European Union Waste Legislation, was examined in order to compare it with the Turkish Legislation. The study was supported with data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI). It was determined that there was no storage or sorting area for disaster waste in this region according to TSI data, the legislation examined did not contain sufficient and detailed information on the subject, and the reports published by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (UCTEA) confirmed that the process was not managed properly in the region. It has been determined that the existing practices and legislation contradict each other, the legislation does not contain sufficient detail, the practices in the world have been investigated within the scope of the subject, and suggestions have been presented in this context. This study is important in terms of revealing the importance and correct positioning of waste storage and sorting areas in order to prevent similar situations in future earthquakes.