Module 4

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Definition: Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and
actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This
includes the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste, together with
monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.
Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment
plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other
discarded materials including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous
material, resulting from industrial, commercial, mining and agricultural
operations. Solid waste is the unwanted or useless solid material generated from
combined residential, industrial and commercial activities.
Importance of solid waste management

Environmental Protection

Proper waste management helps prevent pollution of air, water, and soil. It
reduces the release of harmful substances into the environment, minimizing
negative impacts on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.

Resource Conservation

It involves recycling and reusing materials, reducing the need for new raw
materials. This conserves natural resources and energy, leading to more
sustainable production processes.

Energy Savings

Many waste management practices, such as recycling and waste-to-energy

technologies, generate renewable energy or recover energy from waste. This
reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and helps combat climate change.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Proper waste management, including recycling and composting, reduces
methane emissions from landfills and the need for energy-intensive production
of new materials, thereby mitigating climate change.

Health and Safety

It can lead to disease transmission, water contamination, and air pollution. It

minimizes health risks for communities and workers in the waste industry.

Aesthetic Improvement

Proper waste disposal and cleanliness contribute to visually appealing

surroundings, enhancing the quality of life for residents and attracting tourism.

Economic Benefits

It creates job opportunities in recycling, waste collection, processing, and

related industries. It also reduces the costs of waste cleanup, disposal, and
environmental remediation.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

Types of Solid Waste Management
• Landfill: It involves burying the waste in vacant locations around the
city. The dumping site should be covered with soil to prevent
contamination.
Benefits: A sanitary disposal method if managed effectively.
Limitations: A reasonably large area is required.
• Incineration: It is the controlled oxidation (burning/thermal treatment) of
mostly organic compounds at high temperatures to produce thermal
energy, CO2, and water.
Benefits: Burning significantly reduces the volume of combustible waste.
Limitations: Smoke and fire hazards may exist.
• Composting: It is a natural process of recycling organic matter like
leaves and food scraps into beneficial fertilizers that can benefit both soil
and plants.
Benefits: It is beneficial for crops and is an environment-friendly
method.
Limitations: Requires high-skilled labour for large-scale operation.
• Recycling: It is a process of converting waste material into new material.
Examples: wood recycling, paper recycling, and glass recycling.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

 Benefits: It is environment-friendly.
Limitations: It is expensive to set up and not reliable in case of an
emergency.
• Vermicomposting: Vermicomposting is a bio-conversion technique that
is commonly used to handle solid waste. Earthworms feed on organic
waste to reproduce and multiply in number, vermicompost, and
vermiwash as products in this bio-conversion process.
Benefits: It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and enhances plant
growth.
Limitations: It is time-consuming, cost-ineffective, and requires extra
care.

Municipal Solid Waste

• Every day goods such as product packaging, yard trimmings, furniture,
clothing, bottles, cans, food, newspapers, appliances, electronics, and
batteries make up the municipal solid waste.
• With rising urbanisation and change in lifestyle, the amount of municipal
waste is also rising.

Different Sources of Municipal Solid Waste

It is roughly classified into five categories:
• Recyclable Material: Glasses, bottles, cans, paper, metals, etc.
• Composite Wastes: Tetra packs, toys.
• Biodegradable Wastes: Kitchen waste, flowers, vegetables, fruits, and
leaves.
• Inert Waste: Rocks, debris, construction material.
• Domestic Hazardous and Toxic Waste: E-waste, medication, light
bulbs, etc.
Harmful Effects of Solid Waste
• Bad odour of waste

• Production of toxic gases

• Degradation of natural beauty
• Air pollution
• Water pollution

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

 • Soil pollution
• Spread of diseases
• Effect on biodiversity

Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management

There are six Elements of Solid Waste Management:

Solid Waste Generation

• Solid waste generation pertains to the production of waste materials

through various activities in residential, commercial, and industrial
settings.
• Solid waste generation results from natural, human, and animal activities.
Knowing waste generation is vital in planning, designing, and operating
solid waste management systems.
• This process encompasses two aspects: the quality of solid waste,
including its sources, types, typical composition, and properties, as well
as the quantity of solid waste, which involves generation rates and total
quantities and volumes of waste produced.
• Proper handling, storage, and separation of solid waste at the source
before collection are crucial steps in the effective management of
residential solid waste.

Waste Handling

• Handling refers to the various tasks associated with the management of

solid wastes, starting from their initial handling until they are placed in
containers designated for storage before collection or transport to drop-
off and recycling centres.
• The specific activities involved in handling waste at the source of
generation will depend on the types of waste materials being separated
for reuse and recycling, as well as the level of separation from the general
waste stream.
• Depending on the collection service the handling may also involve
moving the filled containers to the collection point and returning the
empty containers to their storage location between collections.
• On-site handling and storage encompass the appropriate containment and
temporary storage of waste materials at their point of origin. This process
Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508
 includes tasks like waste segregation, waste minimization efforts, and the
use of suitable containers or bins.

Waste Storage

• The initial step in solid waste management takes place at the household
level, where temporary storage of refuse occurs on the premises. It
becomes the responsibility of individual households or businesses to
manage the on-site storage of solid waste properly.
• For both residential homes and commercial establishments, ensuring
appropriate on-site storage of solid waste marks the first crucial stage of
proper waste disposal.
• Neglected solid waste or haphazard dumps can give rise to nuisances,
attract flies, produce odours, and create various hazards.

Collection

• The term collection encompasses more than just the act of gathering or
picking up solid wastes from different origins, it also involves the
transportation of these wastes to disposal sites or transfer stations and the
unloading process there.
• The collection entails the systematic gathering and transportation of
waste from diverse sources to a central location or transfer station.
• The design of efficient collection systems considers factors such as
population density, waste generation rates, and transportation logistics.
Various collection methods are employed, including curb side collection,
door-to-door collection, and community drop-off points.
• Garbage trucks and other collection vehicles are used to transport the
waste to the subsequent stage.

Transfer and Transport

• Transfer and transport pertain to the methods, facilities, and equipment

employed to facilitate the movement of wastes from one location to
another, often to a more distant site. In this process, waste from smaller
collection vehicles is typically transferred to larger vehicles, which then
transport it to remote locations.
• The transfer and transport activities involve the movement of waste from
the initial collection points or transfer stations to treatment or disposal

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

 facilities. During this process, waste transfer stations serve as
intermediate hubs where waste is consolidated from smaller collection
vehicles into larger transport vehicles.
• To ensure proper handling and containment, appropriate transport
equipment is crucial in preventing spillage, littering, and the generation of
unpleasant odours during transfer and transport operations.

Resource Recovery and Processing

• Resource recovery involves a partial solid waste disposal and reclamation

process, aiming to achieve reductions in future landfill volume
requirements.
• To effectively implement resource recovery, it is essential to identify
valuable materials worth recovering and acknowledge the environmental
benefits associated with the process.
• These processes play a crucial role in reducing the overall volume of
waste sent to disposal facilities and contribute to the conservation of
natural resources.
• Specific examples of material and resource recovery include:

• Recycling: The separation and processing of recyclable materials, such as

paper, plastic, metal, and glass, to facilitate their remanufacturing into
new products.
• Composting: The decomposition of organic waste materials, such as food
scraps and yard waste, leading to the production of nutrient-rich compost
used for soil amendment.
• Energy Recovery: The utilization of waste as a fuel source through
various processes like waste-to-energy (WTE) or anaerobic digestion,
thereby generating electricity or heat.

Disposal

• After segregation, much of the organic content can undergo bacterial

decomposition, resulting in a product known as humus or compost. This

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

 entire process, involving both separation and bacterial conversion, is
commonly referred to as Composting.
• The decomposition of solid waste can be carried out either aerobically or
anaerobically. Disposal marks the final stage of solid waste management,
where waste that cannot be recovered or recycled is handled safely and
responsibly. Common disposal methods include landfilling and
incineration.

• Landfilling: Waste is carefully deposited in specially engineered

landfills, where it undergoes controlled decomposition over time. To
minimize environmental impacts, landfills are designed with liners,
leachate collection systems, and gas management infrastructure.
• Incineration: Waste is subjected to high temperatures in waste-to-energy
facilities, reducing its volume and generating electricity or heat. Modern
incineration plants are equipped with air pollution control technologies to
minimize emissions.

BIOMEDICAL WASTES

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

Disposal of bio-hazardous materials finds a special place in case of waste
management because a considerable amount of waste comes out of hospitals
and nursing homes.
Proper care is essential to dispose off the bio-hazardous materials because, if
not properly disposed off, they can be a major source of air, water and land
pollution which is quite harmful to a large number of people.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has drafted certain rules regarding the
classification of bio-medical wastes.
As per schedule. 1, there are 9 categories of bio-medical wastes.

1. Human Anatomical Wastes: Human tissues, organs, body parts etc.

2. Animal Sates: Animal tissues, organs, body parts, carcasses, bleeding
parts, fluid, blood and experimental animals in research, waste generated
by veterinary Hospitals, Colleges, discharge from hospitals, animal
house.
3. Microbiology and Bio-technology Wastes: Wastes from laboratory
culture, stocks or specimen of micro-organisms, live or attenuated
vaccines, human animal cell culture used in research and industrial
laboratories, waste from production of biological toxin, dishes and
devices used for transfer of cultures.
4. Waste Sharps: Needles, syringes, scalpels, blades, glass etc. that are
capable of causing puncture and cuts. These include both used and
unused sharps. Discarded medicines and cytotoxic drugs; wastes
comprising outdated, contaminated and discarded medicines.
5. Soiled Waste: Items contaminated with blood and body fluids, including
cotton, dressings, solid plaster cuts, linen, beddings, and other materials.
6. Solid Wastes: Wastes generated from disposable items such as, tubings,
catheters, intravenous sets etc.
7. Liquid Waste: Wastes generated from laboratory and washing cleaning,
housekeeping and disinfecting activities.
8. Incineration Ash: Ash from incineration of any biomedical wastes.
9. Chemical Waste: Chemicals used in production of biological products,
chemicals used in disinfection as insecticides etc.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified medical waste into eight
categories: 1. General waste 2. Pathological waste 3. Radioactive waste 4.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

Chemical waste 5. Infections waste and offensively infections waste 6. Sharps
7. Pharmaceutical waste 8. Pressurized waste
Waste with high content of heavy metals, such as, batteries, broken
thermometers, blood pressure gauges, etc. Pressurized containers, like gas
cylinders, cartridges and aerosol cars etc. and radioactive waste, such as, waste
containing radioactive substances in unused liquids from radiotherapy or
laboratory research, contaminated glassware, packages or absorbent paper, urine
and excreta from patients treated or tested with unsealed radionuclide, sealed
sources, etc. also fall within the category of hazardous biomedical waste.
The disposal technologies of the bio-medical waste are based upon the type of
waste, category of waste and the geographical conditions.
1. Anatomical Waste (yellow bag): The anatomical waste is collected in
yellow bag and is either incinerated or sent for deep burial.
2. Infectious Soiled Waste (red bag): The infectious soiled waste contains
cotton, gauge, bandages, dressing pads, etc. are either incinerated or first
autoclaved and them disposed off by land filling. They are collected in red bag.
3. Plastic and Rubber Disposables (blue bag): This kind of waste is collected
in blue bag. This should never be incinerated or burnt as it emits ‘dioxins’
which are highly harmful substances to the atmosphere and are highly
carcinogenic.
The best methods of disposal of this type of waste are:
(i) Autoclaving and shredding
(ii) Chemical disinfection by P/o bleaching solution for one
hour after mutilation
(iii) Recycling after disinfection and mutilation. It cannot be
recycled, it is sent for land filling or burial.
4. Sharps (White/light blue bag): The sharps are collected in white/light blue
bag and put in puncture proof transparent container for transportation and
disposal. All sharps are put in a sharp pit which is well covered and protected.
The sharps are disinfected by 1% sodium hypochloride solution before disposal.
5. Radioactive Waste (special lead boxes): The radioactive waste is collected
in special lead boxes for absorption of radiation. It is stored in secured area till
radioactivity decays. This is followed by disposal in secured landfill.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

6. Waste with high Content of Heavy Metals: This kind of waste is segregated
followed by disposal in secured landfill. It is reclaimed, recycled wherever
possible.

THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES, 2016

• The Rules are applicable beyond Municipal areas and extend to urban
agglomerations, towns, notified industrial townships, areas under the
control of Indian Railways, airports, airbase, Port and harbour, defence
establishments, special economic zones, State and Central government
organizations, places of pilgrims, religious & historical importance.
• The source segregation of waste has been mandated to channelize the
waste to wealth by recovery, reuse and recycle.
• Responsibilities of Generators have been introduced to segregate waste in
to three streams, Wet (Biodegradable), Dry (Plastic, Paper, metal, wood,
etc.) and domestic hazardous wastes (diapers, napkins, empty containers
of cleaning agents, mosquito repellents, etc.) and handover segregated
wastes to authorized rag-pickers or waste collectors or local bodies.
• Integration of waste pickers/ rag pickers and waste dealers in the formal
system should be done by State Governments, and Self Help Group.
• No person should throw, burn, or bury the solid waste generated by him,
on streets, open public spaces outside his premises, or in the drain, or
water bodies.
• Generator will have to pay ‘User Fee’ to waste collector and for ‘Spot
Fine’ for Littering and Non-segregation.
• Used sanitary waste like diapers, sanitary pads should be wrapped
securely in pouches provided by manufacturers or brand owners of these
products or in a suitable wrapping material and shall place the same in the
bin meant for dry waste and they should explore the possibility of using
all recyclable materials in their products.
• Bulk and institutional generators, market associations, event organizers
and hotels and restaurants have been made directly responsible for
segregation and sorting the waste and manage in partnership with local
bodies.
• All hotels and restaurants should segregate biodegradable waste and set
up a system of collection or follow the system of collection set up by
local body to ensure that such food waste is utilized for composting
/biogas generation.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

 • All Resident Welfare and market Associations, Gated communities and
institution with an area >5,000 sq. m should segregate waste at source- in
to valuable dry waste like plastic, tin, glass, paper, etc. and handover
recyclable material to either the authorized waste pickers or the
authorized recyclers, or to the urban local body.
• The bio-degradable waste should be processed, treated and disposed of
through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as
possible.
• New townships and Group Housing Societies have been made
responsible to develop in-house waste handling, and processing
arrangements for bio-degradable waste.
• Every street vendor should keep suitable containers for storage of waste
generated during the course of his activity such as food waste, disposable
plates, cups, cans, wrappers, coconut shells, leftover food, vegetables,
fruits etc.
• All manufacturers of disposable products such as tin, glass, plastics
packaging etc. shall provide necessary financial assistance to local
authorities for the establishment of waste management system.
• Non-recyclable waste having calorific value of 1500 K/cal/kg or more
shall not be disposed of on landfills and shall only be utilized for
generating energy.
• High calorific wastes shall be used for co-processing in cement or
thermal power plants.
• Construction and demolition waste should be stored, separately disposed
off, as per the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules,
2016
• Special provision for management of solid waste in hilly areas:-
Construction of landfill on the hill shall be avoided. Suitable land shall be
identified in the plain areas, down the hill, within 25 kilometers for
setting up sanitary landfill. The residual waste from the transfer station
shall be disposed off at this sanitary landfill.

BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES, 2016

DUTIES:
• BMW within premises Phase out use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves
and blood bags within two years from the date of notification of these
rules.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508

 • Provide training to all its health care workers and others involved in
handling of bio medical waste Immunization against Hepatitis B and
tetanus for workers.
• Establish a Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing bio-
medical waste to be sent out of the premises.
• Report major accidents and remedial measures to SPCB, Ensure timely
collection of BMW from healthcare facilities.
• Handing over of recyclable waste to after treatment by autoclaving and
incineration.
• Establish bar coding and GPS for handling within one year Assist health
care facilities in training of workers.
• Up gradation of existing incinerators and achievement of standards for
secondary chamber.

Asha Bhat, Department of Chemistry, RNSIT BCS508