Lecture #11

Solid Waste Management

Engr. Dr. Taj Ali Khan

Meritorious Professor
UET Peshawar
 Solid Waste
Solid wastes (refuse) is defined as the waste that is not transported by water and has been discarded
material from municipal, industries and agriculture activities like durable goods, nondurable goods, containers
and packages food scrapes yard trimming etc. Or

Solid waste is the unwanted or useless solid materials generated from combined residential, industrial and
commercial activities in each an area.

Municipal solid wastes (MSW) is the waste from residential, commercial institution and industrial sources but
does not include wastes like construction materials, automobile bodies, industrial process wastes etc. such
wastes are known as special waste. Municipal garbage wastes may be either garbage or rubbish.

Garbage : The solid wastes which is biodegradable (Putrescible) like food wastes, from kitchen, restaurants
and marketplaces, animals and vegetables residues are sources of garbage. Garbage usually decompose
quickly especially in warm weather.

Rubbish: It consists of combustible and noncombustible solid wastes, excluding food wastes or other
Putrescible materials. The combustible materials consists of papers, textiles, plastic, tires, and yard trimming
etc. The noncombustible items also known as Trash consists of glass, crockery, tin cans, aluminum cans and
construction materials.
 Solid Waste
Basic terms related to solid waste:

Ash: The noncombustible solid by products of incineration or other burning process.

Bulky waste: Large wastes such as appliances, furniture, trees, and branches that cannot be handle by
normal Municipal Solid Waste processing methods.

Co-disposal: The disposal of different types of waste in one area of landfill or dump. Like sewage sludge may
be disposed of with regular solid wastes.

Biodegradable: Any organic material that can be broken down by microorganisms into more simple
compounds. Most organic wastes are biodegradable like food and papers etc.

Composting : Biological decomposition of solid organic materials by bacteria, fungi, and other organisms into
a soil like products. The material resulting from composting. Compost also known humus is used as fertilizer

Landfilling: The final disposal of solid waste by placing in a controlled fashion in a place intended to be
permanent.
 Solid Waste
Leachate: Liquid that has seeped through a landfill or a compost pile has accumulated bacteria and other
possibly harmful dissolved or suspended materials.

Solid waste generation: The materials and products that enter the waste stream.

Discards: Solids waste remaining after materials that are

removed for recycling or composting. These are materials

that are burned or buried. In other words,

Waste generation = Materials recovered + Discard

Garbage must be removed on every alternative day specially

in hot season as it decomposes and caused smell problem,

The rubbish be removed whenever possible.

 Solid waste
Solid waste, if allowed to accumulate, is a health hazard because
i. It decomposes and favors fly breeding
ii. It attracts rodents (rats) and mosquitos etc.
iii. The pathogens which may be present in the solid waste may be conveyed back to human food
through flies and dust.
iv. There is possibility of water and soil pollution and
v. Plenty of refuse present an unsightly

Therefore, in all civilized countries, there is an efficient system for its periodic collection, removal and
final disposal without risk to health.
Sources of Refuse:
Refuse that is collected by the street cleansing service is street refuse
Refuse that is collected from market is market refuse.
Refuse that is collected from houses that consists of ash, rubbish and garbage are domestic refuse
Industrial refuse comprises a wide variety of wastes ranges from completely inert materials to high toxic
and explosive compounds.
 Solid waste collection and transport
Solid Waste Collection: The method of collection depends upon the resources available to municipality
• Factors considered in collection of solid wastes depend on
• Characteristics of solid waste collected like large storage containers ( domestic SW)
• Container at curbs (large container on a roller (commercial / industrial)
• Collection frequency: space available for the placement of containers
• Residential: refuse bags consists of 7 to 10 liters
• Rubbish 20-30 liters

• Large mechanical containers which is more commonly used to cut costs (reduce labor, time and
collection costs must be standardized to suit collection equipment.

• Container location: side/rear of house; back of street (alleys)

• Special enclosure (apartment);

• Public health : relates to on time collection to avoid the spread of diseases by vectors etc

• Aesthetics: must be pleasing to the eyes

Collection of Solid Waste
 Solid waste collection and transport
Collection are made by (i) Municipal / District council (ii) Private firm under contact to municipal (iii)
Private firm contact with private residents

Municipal collection services:

a) Residential (i) curb (curb-side) (ii) Alley (iii) set out and set back (iv) Backyard collection

• (i) curb (curb-side): House owner is responsible for placing solid waste containers at the curb on
scheduled day.

• The work man come, collect and empty the container and put back at the curb.

• House owner is required to take back the empty containers from the curb to his house.

• This method is quickest/economical and no need to enter property

• (ii) Alley: The containers are placed at the alley line from where they are picked up by workmen from
refuse vehicles who deposit back the empty container
 Solid waste collection and transport
(iii) set out and set back:

• Collectors must enter the property; set out crew carries full containers from resident storage location to
curb / alley before collection vehicle arrives. Collection crew load their refuse into vehicle and return the
container to storage area.

• (iv) Backyard collection: The workers with the vehicles carry a wheel bin use a cloth or bag to the yard
and empty the solid waste container in it. The bin is taken to solid waste vehicles where it is emptied

• Collection Frequency: Residential areas: every day / once in 2 days

• Commercial / public on daily basis

• Food waste on daily basis

• The normal time for accumulation of waste to fill a container is less than a week
 Solid Waste Management Objectives
• Solid waste management refers to the process of collecting, transporting, and disposing of solid waste in an
environmentally responsible manner. Proper solid waste management is essential for protecting the
environment and public health.

• The first step in solid waste management is collection, which involves the regular and systematic pickup of
waste from households, businesses, and other sources. This waste is typically placed in bins or containers
that are then collected by waste management trucks and transported to a disposal facility.

• Once the waste arrives at the disposal facility, it is processed and sorted into different categories, such as
recyclable materials, organic waste, and hazardous waste. Recyclable materials are sent to recycling
centers, where they are converted into new products. Organic waste is typically composted, which involves
breaking it down into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Hazardous waste is carefully handled and disposed of
in a way that prevents it from contaminating the environment.

• Proper solid waste management is important for reducing pollution and protecting the environment. It also
helps to conserve resources and prevent the spread of disease.
 Solid Waste Management Problems in Pakistan
• In Pakistan, the collection and disposal of solid waste is a major challenge. According to the World Bank,

only about 40% of solid waste in Pakistan is collected, and only a small fraction of that waste is properly disposed of. As a

result, much of the waste ends up in open dumps or is illegally burned, leading to pollution and public health risks.

• To address these challenges, the government of Pakistan has implemented several initiatives to improve solid waste

management. For example, the National Sanitation Policy and the Clean and Green Pakistan Index aim to increase the

collection and disposal of solid waste and to promote recycling and composting. The government has also established

waste-to-energy facilities in some cities, which convert waste into electricity.

• However, these efforts face several challenges, such as a lack of infrastructure, inadequate funding, and a lack of public

awareness about the importance of proper waste management. To overcome these challenges, the government and

other stakeholders need to work together to develop and implement effective policies and programs, and to educate the

public about the benefits of proper solid waste management. By doing so, Pakistan can improve its solid waste

management and protect the environment and public health.

•
 Methods of Solid Waste Disposal
• The principal methods of refuse disposal are.

• (a) Dumping (b) Controlled tipping or sanitary land fill © Incineration (d) composting (e) Manure pits, and

(f) Burial.

The selection of a particular method is governed by local factors such as cost and availability of land and labor.

(a) Dumping: Refuse is dumped in low lying area partially as a method of reclamation of land but mainly as an
easy method of disposal of dry refuse. Such type of method creates the following problems.

The refuse is exposed to mosquitoes, flies and rodents which create environmental and health problem.

It is a source of nuisance from the smell and unsightly appearance

The loose refuse is dispersed by the action of wind; and

Drainage from dump contributes to the pollution of surface and ground water.
 Methods of Solid Waste Disposal
(b) Sanitary Land Fill or Controlled tipping:

• Controlled tipping or sanitary landfill is the most satisfactory method of refuse disposal where suitable land
is available. It differ from ordinary dumping in that the material are placed in a trench or other prepared
area, adequately compacted, and covered with earth at the end of the working day.

• The “modified sanitary landfill” has been applied to those operations where compaction and covering are
accomplished once or twice a week. The following three methods are used in this operation.

• 1) The trench method: where level ground is available. A long trench is dug 2 to 3 m deep and 4 to 12 m
wide, depending upon local conditions. The refuse is compacted and covered with excavated earth.

• 2) The ramp method: This method is well suited where the terrain is moderately sloping.

• 3) The area method: This method is used for filling land depressions. The refused is deposited, packed
and consolidated in uniform layers up to 2- 2.5 m deep. Each layer is sealed on its exposed surface with a
mud cover at least 30 cm thick.

• This method often has the disadvantage of requiring supplemental earth from outside sources.
 Methods of Solid Waste Disposal
• Chemical, bacteriological and physical changes occur in buried refuse.

• The temperature rises to 600 C within 7 days and kills all pathogenic microorganisms and improve the
decomposition process.

• Then it takes 2 to 3 weeks to cool down the temperature.

• Normally it takes 4 to 6 months for complete decomposition of organic matter into harmless mass

C) INCINERATION: Solid waste disposing hygienically by controlled burning or incineration. It is a method of

choice where suitable land is not available.

• Hospital refuse which is particularly dangerous is best dispose of by incineration. A preliminary separation
of dust or ash is needed.

• Incineration process is an expensive one. Such refuse has a limited application in refuse disposal
 Methods of Solid waste Disposal
d) Composting: Composting is a method of combined disposal of refuse and night soil or sludge. It is a

process of nature whereby organic matter breakdown under bacterial action resulting in the formation of
relatively stable humus like material, called the compost which has considerable manurial value for the
soil. The principal by products are carbon dioxide, water and heat.

The composting procedure is as follows.

First a layer of refuse about 15 cm thick is spread at the bottom of the

trench. Over this, night soil is added corresponding to a thickness of 5 cm.

Then alternate layers of refuse and night soil are added in the proportion

of 15 cm and 5 cm respectively, till the heap rises to 30 cm thickness. Then the heap is covered with
excavated earth.
 Methods of solid waste Disposal
(e) Manure pits : It mostly used in rural area

• Digging manure pits is to prevent the refuses thrown around the houses

• The garbage, cattle dung, straw and leaves should be dumped into the manure pits and covered with earth.

• Two pits are normally used when one is filled another pit will be used.

• In 5 to 6 month’s time the refuse is converted into manure which can be returned to the field

(f) Burial: To burn the waste is suitable for small community

• A trench 1.5 m wide and 2 m deep is excavated

• The refuse is covered with 20 – 30 cm of earth

• When the level in the trench is 40 cm from ground level, the trench is filled with earth and compacted.