Solid Waste Management Reference Book 1: Environmental Studies by Mr.

Benny Joseph Reference Book 2: Comprehensive Environmental Studies by Dr.J.P. Sharma Classification of solid waste 1) Solid (Non-Hazardous) - Any garbage, refuse, sludge from waste water treatment plant including, liquid, solid., semi-solid or gaseous material which results from industrial, commercial, mining and agro operations. It does not include dissolved/solid material in domestic sewage. e.g. Metal scrap, empty containers, etc. 2) Refuse All the combustible ad non-combustible , decomposing and non-decomposing solid waste.e.g. Ashes, paper, cigarette, loose glass, cardboard, plastic, fallen shrubs/trees, etc. 3) Municipal solid waste - Furniture, newspapers, bottles, batteries, paint etc. Municipal Solid waste management practices include : Avoid, minimize, recycle, treat, dispose. 4) Hazardous waste explained in detail table below (Page4)

Waste Management strategies for solid waste 1) Source Reduction : Alter design, manufacture or use of materials or products to reduce amount of waste thrown out. Prevents greenhouse gas emission, results in energy savings, reduces pollutants. 2) Recycling : Paper, glass, metals, plastic, collected, sorted, processed, manufactured into new products. 3) Composting: With help of microorganisms, organic waste is decomposed resulting in a substance like humus. Food scrap, leaves, etc. undergo this process. Conditions like temp, O, C, N, moisture etc. are important. 4) Vermicomposting : Using earthworms for decomposition. 5) Landfilling The solid waste materials are dumped in certain engineered areas. These have liner to prevent groundwater from pollution. Refer sketches list for figure of landfills. 6) Incineration Industrial process where MSW is burnt at high temperature thereby reducing volume of wasteland resulting in reducing landfill space needed. 3Rs of waste management Reduction, Recycling and Reuse Energy Recovery Materials which have good fuel value are dried and burned in boiler to run steam turbine for production of electricity. Organic matter (like in vegetables) can be anaerobically digested to produce electricity.

Effects of Waste accumulation 1) Spoilage of landscape 2) Health hazards 3) Pollution 4) Effects on soil, aquatic and terrestrial life Fig.1 Separation of MSW components

Explanation of Fig 1 Separation of MSW components The incoming solid waste undergoes shredding (cutting into small pieces of uniform size) for easy handling. In the air classifier, air is blown, so that lighter and heavier materials get separated. The air with lighter fraction is sent through cyclone separator which separates all suspended particles from it. The heavier fraction obtained from air classifier will have ferrous and non-ferrous components. Ferrous material can be separately removed by a magnetic separator and sent for recycling.

Fig. 2 Steps to obtain RDF (refuse derived fuel) in powder / pellet form Note: RDF can be utilized as partial replacement for coal.

Fig. 3. Recycling and Disposal options for various components of MSW (below)

Recycling and Disposal options for various types of wastes

Type of waste
Glass Bottles Tyres

Disposal options
Grind, remelt Grind, revulcanise and use in road construction

Aluminium cans, cars, metal objects Remelt

Prohibited waste in MSW Type of waste Radioactive waste Household hazardous waste

Disposal options Storage, reprocessing, burial

Automotive products like car batteries Exchange, recycling Use non-toxic paints as much as possible. Allow sludge to settle, pour out remaining portion, take unused potion to hazardous waste management facility. Neutralize in labs

Paint Chemical waste like acid, alkali

1) Decontaminate before it leaves hospital Biomedical waste like tissues, 2) Sharps to be segregated in separate containers surgical dressings, needles 3) sterilized waste of human origin to be disposed as etc. hazardous waste CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board of India) established standards for incineration, autoclaving, and standards also for liquid waste, microwaving, deep burial etc (3m deep with GI meshes to prevent easy access by animals)

Infectious waste like blood, blood products, contaminated sharps, body parts, bedding etc.

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Type of waste Computer and electronic scraps, (Ewaste). Computer manufactured releases carcinogenic products, halogens, CFC's, Lead, Mercury etc. Computer equipment uses toxic materials like acids in batteries etc.

Disposal options Old and broken computer components are recycled. Funds are generated by adding surcharge for new such materials, fund used for E-waste collection programmes. In Europe, companies were asked to take back the equipment for recycling.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Contain Metals recovered, boards shredded and metals (upto 30 %) reused as binder.

Wasteland Reclamation Wasteland : Economically unproductive land which is undergoing environmental degradation These may be culturable (e.g. Marshes) or non-culturable (rocky areas or areas covered with snow / glacier etc.) Methods of reclamation of wasteland Leaching : Process of reclaiming soil which is affected by salt content, by using excess water to wash away the salts. Drainage : Excess water from soil is removed by draining. Proper irrigation : Better irrigation frequency with appropriate quantity of good quality water, prevention of water logging and salinity. Growing of tolerant crops : Barley, date palm etc. are tolerant whereas rice, pulses are semi-tolerant. Wheat and coconut are tolerant to salt. Addition of gypsum: done to remove excess sodium. Using of green / organic manure, biofertilizers: The saline soil can be improved. Afforestation : Planting of trees on the wasteland. NWDB (National Wasteland Development Board) (established to prevent degradation of land).