4th June 2022 | Solid waste management, types of solid waste, factors affecting solid waste generation, impact of solid waste, recycling and reuse | Laex Secure

Syllabus- Solid waste management, types of solid waste, factors affecting solid waste generation, impact of solid waste, recycling and reuse.

Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10

Mains Questions of the day-

1.Define solid Waste Management and mention the methods of treatment and disposal of Solid Waste?

Introduction:

Define Solid Waste Management.

Body:

Mention the methods of Solid Waste Disposal and Management.

Conclusion:

• Solid waste disposal must be managed systematically to ensure environmental best practices.

Content:

Solid Waste Management:

• Solid waste management is usually referred to the process of collecting and treating solid wastes.
• It provides solutions for reduce, reuse, and recycle the Solid waste.
• Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create unsafe conditions, and these conditions in turn lead to environment pollution.
• Only about 75- 80% of the municipal waste gets collected and out of this only 22-28 % is processed and treated and remaining is disposed of indiscriminately at dump yards.
• It is projected that by the year 2031 the municipal solid waste generation shall increase to 165 million tonnes and to 436 million tons by 2050.
• If cities continue to dump the waste at present rate without treatment, it will need 1240 hectares of land per year and with projected generation of 165 million tons of waste by 2031, the requirement of setting up of land fil for 20 years of 10 meters’ height will require 66,000 hectares of land.

Methods of Solid Waste Disposal and Management:

The following are the methods of solid waste disposal and management:

• Solid Waste Open Burning
• Sea dumping process
• Solid wastes sanitary landfills
• Incineration method
• waste compaction
• Bio-gas Generation
• Composting process
• pyrolysis
• Vermicomposting
• Solid Waste Open Burning:
  Solid waste open burning is not the perfect method in the present scenario.
• Sea Dumping Process:
  This sea dumping process can be carried out only in coastal cities. This is very costly procedure and not environment friendly.
• Solid wastes sanitary landfills:
• This is the most popular solid waste disposal method used today.
• In this process, the waste that cannot be reused or recycled are separated out and spread as a thin layer in low-lying areas across a city.
• A layer of soil is added after each layer of garbage.
• However, once this process is complete, the area is declared unfit for construction of buildings for the next 20 years.
• Instead, it can only be used as a playground or a park.
• Modern landfills are designed in such a way that the bottom of the landfill is covered with an impervious liner, which is usually made of several layers of thick plastic and sand.
• This liner protects the groundwater from being contaminated because of leaching or percolation.
• When the landfill is full, it is covered with layers of sand, clay, topsoil and gravel to prevent seepage of water.
• Advantage: If landfills are managed efficiently, it is an ensured sanitary waste disposal method.
• Constraint: It requires a reasonably large area.
• Incineration method:
• Incineration is the process of controlled combustion of garbage to reduce it to incombustible matter such as ash and waste gas.
• The exhaust gases from this process may be toxic, hence it is treated before being released into the environment.
• This process reduces the volume of waste by 90% and is considered as one of the most hygienic methods of waste disposal.
• In some cases, the heat generated is used to produce electricity.
• However, some consider this process, not quite environmentally friendly due to the generation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
• High operation costs and construction are involved in this procedure.
• This method would be suited in crowded cities where sites for land filling are not available.
• It can be used to reduce the volume of solid wastes for land filling.
• Waste Compaction:
• The waste materials such as cans and plastic bottles are compacted into blocks and sent for recycling.
• This process prevents the oxidation of metals and reduces airspace need, thus making transportation and positioning easy.
• Biogas Generation
• Biodegradable waste such as food items, animal waste or organic industrial waste from food packaging industries are sent to bio-degradation plants.
• In bio-degradation plants, they are converted to biogas by degradation with the help of bacteria, fungi, or other microbes.
• Here, the organic matter serves as food for the micro-organisms.
• The degradation can happen aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen). Biogas is generated as a result of this process which is used as fuel and the residue is used as manure.
• Composting:
• All organic materials decompose with time.
• Food scraps, yard waste, etc., make up for one of the major organic wastes we throw every day.
• The process of composting starts with these organic wastes being buried under layers of soil and then are left to decay under the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
• This results in the formation of nutrient-rich manure.
• Also, this process ensures that the nutrients are replenished in the soil.
• Besides enriching the soil, composting also increases the water retention capacity.
• In agriculture, it is the best alternative to chemical fertilizers.
• Composting process is similar to sanitary land-filling and it is popular in developing countries.
• Decomposable organic matter is separated and composted in this procedure.
• Yields are stable end products and good soil conditioners.
• They can be used as a base for fertilizers.
• Two methods have been used in this process:

a) Open Window Composting

b) Mechanical Composting

• Pyrolysis:

The process of burning solid wastes, but in the absence of oxygen in a large furnace at a very high temperature whereby producing charcoal, tar, methyl alcohol, acetic acid, acetone which can be used as fuels is called Pyrolysis.

•  Vermicomposting
• Vermicomposting is the process of using worms for the degradation of organic matter into nutrient-rich manure.
• Worms consume and digest the organic matter.
• The by-products of digestion which are excreted out by the worms make the soil nutrient-rich, thus enhancing the growth of bacteria and fungi.
• It is also far more effective than traditional composting.

Way Forward:

• Solid waste disposal and management is a critical aspect of environmental hygiene and it needs to be incorporated into environmental planning.
• Scientific disposal of solid waste through segregation, collection and treatment and disposal in an environmentally sound manner minimises the adverse impact on the environment.
• The local authorities are responsible for the development of infrastructure for collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of municipal solid waste.
• If municipal solid waste management is done through proper planning and management, it would lead to a business case of income generation and provide financial support to Urban Local Bodies by generating revenue.

2.Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016 have replaced the 16 years old Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules,2000. Mention the salient features of Solid Waste Management Rules?

Introduction:

Write briefly about solid waste and need for better management.

Body:

Mention the Salient features of SWM Rules, 2016

Conclusion:

• A massive awareness campaign in association with communities, NGOs, students and other stakeholders needs to be planned for better implementation of these rules. 
• The Rules need to focus on making solid waste management a people’s movement by taking the issues, concerns and management of solid waste at grass-root level awareness to the people.

Content:

• Waste management refers to the activities and actions required to manage waste from its origin till its disposal. This includes collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation.
• Solid waste contains the following waste components:
• Construction and demolition waste: wastes generated in construction of new buildings, renovation and demolition work.
• Plastic waste: includes polythene bags, plastic bottles etc.
• Biomedical waste: Wastes involved in diagnosis, treatment and immunization such as human and animal anatomical waste, treatment apparatus such as needles and syringes and cytotoxic drugs.
• Hazardous waste: Wastes that cause immediate danger to exposed individuals or environment.
• E-waste:  it includes discarded computer monitors, motherboards, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), printed circuit board (PCB), mobile phones and chargers, compact discs, headphones etc.
• Many reports suggest that 62 million tons of waste is generated annually in the country at present, out of which
• 5.6 million tonnes plastic waste,
• 0.17 million tonnes biomedical waste,
• hazardous waste generation is 7.90 million tonnes per annum and
• 15 lakh tonnes e-waste.
• The per capita waste generation in Indian cities ranges from 200 grams to 600 grams per day.
• Waste generation will most likely to increase from 62 million tonnes to about 165 million tonnes in 2030 which is the main need to frame Solid Waste Management Rules.
• The SWM Rules, 2016 diminish the adoption of a decentralized mechanism for solid waste management.

Salient features of SWM Rules, 2016:

• Segregation at source:
• The new rules have mandated the source segregation of waste in order to channelize the waste to wealth by recovery, reuse and recycle.
• Waste generators would now have to now segregate waste into three streams- Biodegradables, Dry (Plastic, Paper, metal, Wood, etc.) and Domestic Hazardous waste (diapers, napkins, mosquito repellants, cleaning agents etc.) before handing it over to the collector.
• Institutional generators, market associations, event organizers and hotels and restaurants have been directly made responsible for segregation and sorting the waste and manage in partnership with local bodies.
• All hotels and restaurants will also be required to segregate biodegradable waste and set up a system of collection to ensure that such food waste is utilized for composting / biomethanation.
• The rules mandate that all resident welfare and market associations and gated communities with an area of above 5,000 sq m will have to segregate waste at source into material like plastic, tin, glass, paper and others and hand over recyclable material either to authorized waste-pickers and recyclers or to the urban local body.
• Collection and disposal of sanitary waste:

The manufacturers or brand owners of sanitary napkins are responsible for awareness for proper disposal of such waste by the generator and shall provide a pouch or wrapper for disposal of each napkin or diapers along with the packet of their sanitary products.

• Collect Back scheme for packaging waste:

As per the rules, brand owners who sale or market their products in packaging material which are non‐biodegradable, should put in place a system to collect back the packaging waste generated due to their production.

• User fees for collection:
• The new rules have given power to the local bodies to decide the user fees.
• Municipal authorities will levy user fees for collection, disposal and processing from bulk generators.
• As per the rules, the generator will have to pay “User Fee” to the waste collector and a “Spot Fine” for littering and non-segregation, the quantum of which will be decided by the local bodies.
• The integration of rag pickers, waste pickers and kabadiwalas from the informal sector to the formal sector would be done by the state government.
• The rules also stipulate zero tolerance for throwing; burning, or burying the solid waste generated on streets, open public spaces outside the generator’s premises, or in the drain, or water bodies.
• Waste processing and treatment
• It has been advised that the bio-degradable waste should be processed, treated and disposed of through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible and the residual waste shall be given to the waste collectors or agency as directed by the local authority.
• The developers of Special Economic Zone, industrial estate, industrial park to earmark at least 5% of the total area of the plot or minimum 5 plots/ sheds for recovery and recycling facility.
• Waste processing facilities will have to be set up by all local bodies having a population of 1 million or more within two years.
• Also, the rules have mandated bio‐remediation or capping of old and abandoned dump sites within five years.
• Promoting use of compost

The Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers should provide market development assistance on city compost and ensure promotion of co‐marketing of compost with chemical fertilizers.

• Promotion of waste to energy
• The SWM Rules, 2016 emphasize promotion of waste to energy plants.
• The rules mandate all industrial units using fuel and located within 100 km from a solid waste-based Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) plant to make arrangements within six months from the date of notification of these rules to replace at least 5% of their fuel requirement by RDF so produced.
• As per the rules, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources should facilitate infrastructure creation for Waste to Energy plants and provide appropriate subsidy or incentives for such Waste to Energy plants.
• The Ministry of Power should fix tariff or charges for the power generated from the Waste to Energy plants based on solid waste and ensure compulsory purchase of power generated from such Waste to Energy plants by discoms.
• Revision of parameters and existing standards
• The landfill site shall be 100 meters away from a river, 200 meters from a pond, 500 meters away from highways, habitations, public parks and water supply wells and 20 km away from airports/airbase.
• Emission standards are completely amended and include parameters for dioxins, furans, reduced limits for particulate matters from 150 to 100 and now 50.
• Also, the compost standards have been amended to align with Fertilizer Control Order.
• Management of waste in hilly areas

The construction of landfills on hills shall be avoided.

Land for construction of sanitary landfills in hilly areas will be identified in the plain areas, within 25 kilometers.

• Constituted a Central Monitoring Committee
• The government has also constituted a Central Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary, MoEF&CC to monitor the overall implementation of the rules.
• The Committee comprising of various stakeholders from the Central and state governments will meet once a year to monitor the implementation of these rules.

Limitations of the revised Solid waste management rules:

• They fail to incentivize and impose a strict penalty in case of poor implementation.
• The rules have not pushed for decentralised management of waste but have encouraged centralised treatment such as waste to energy.
• The informal sector role has been neglected in the new rules.
• It is not clear about the fine amount to be imposed on plastic manufacturers or how the monitoring system would be carried out
• The need is for behavioral change on part of people when it comes to domestic waste generation and on part of authorities when it comes to implementing the rules, behavioral change is not adequately focused.

Prelims Questions of the day:

1.Which of the following is recycled many times?

1. Plastic
2. Wood
3. Organic materials
4. Aluminum

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Recycling means reusing some of the components of the waste that have some economic value.
• Aluminum can be recycled as many times as we want.
• The mining of new aluminum is quite expensive, and hence recycling of aluminum plays a vital role in the aluminum industry.

2.How does an organic material decompose in the buried solid waste?

1. By the action of microorganisms
2. By the action of oxidation
3. By the soil particles
4. By the flow of water

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Oxygen is required for microbes to decompose organic wastes efficiently.
• Some decomposition occurs in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions).
• However, the process is slow, and foul odors may develop.
• The organic material will decompose in the buried solid waste by the action of microorganisms.
• At first, the waste aerobically decomposes until the oxygen present in the freshly placed fill is used up by the aerobic microorganisms.

3.Which of the following Method of burning Municipal Solid Waste in a properly designed furnace under operating conditions and suitable temperature?

1. Landfill
2. Recycling
3. Vermicomposting
4. Incineration

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Incineration is a chemical process in which the flammable fraction of garbage is mixed with oxygen and discharged into the environment as carbon dioxide and water.
• For incineration, the right temperature and operational conditions are required.
• The organic material will decompose in the buried solid waste due to the action of microorganisms.
• At first, the waste aerobically decomposes until the oxygen present in the freshly placed fill is used up by the aerobic microorganisms.

4.Which of the following gas generate when the matter present inside the sanitary landfill breaks down?

1. Methane
2. Nitrogen
3. Hydrogen
4. All of the above

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Landfill gas is a mix of methane and carbon dioxide, with a few other trace elements thrown in for good measure.
• It is formed naturally as organic matter decomposes in landfills.

5. Which of the following is/are the features Zero Waste Management?

1. Separate collection of each kind
2. Separation of garbage at the source
3. Involvement of the community in all activities
4. All of the above

Answer: D

Explanation

• Zero Waste is a holistic approach to resource management that emphasizes waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
• By reusing materials that have already been utilized, decreases the requirement for non-renewable resources.

6.Which of the following gas can be produced from the waste landfills?

1. Natural gas
2. Biogas
3. Liquified petroleum gas
4. All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation:

• 90 to 98 percent of landfill gas is methane and carbon dioxide.
• Nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, sulfides, hydrogen, and other gases make up the remaining 2 to 10%.
• When microorganisms decompose organic waste, landfill gases are created.

7.Which of the following term is used to describe the ‘Municipal Solid Waste’?

1. Hazardous
2. Toxic
3. Non-hazardous
4. Non-toxic

Answer: C

Explanation:

Generally, the ‘Municipal Solid Waste’ term is used to describe most of the non-hazardous solid waste from a Village, Town, or City that requires a daily collection and transport to a disposal site or to processing.

8. For which of the following reason is burning of solid waste is not recommended?

1. It is very costly
2. It requires a lot of space
3. It requires modern technologies
4. It causes several environmental issues

Answer: D
Explanation:

• Burning of solid waste causes several environmental issues.
• Burning trash can cause long-term health problems.
• The toxic chemicals released during burning include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and polycyclic organic matter (POMs).
• Burning plastic and treated wood also releases heavy metals and toxic chemicals such as dioxin.

9.Which of the following is the oldest and the most common method used to dump solid wastes?

1. River
2. Ocean
3. Landfill
4. None of the above

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Landfill: Open dumps or landfilling, Open dumps and landfills are uncovered/covered areas that are used to dump solid waste of all kinds is the one of the oldest technique of disposing of solid waste.
• The waste is not treated nor it is segregated and thus it is also a place where a lot of insects and other disease causing organisms breed.
• They are generally located in urban areas.
• For landfills, a pit is dug where garbage is dumped and the pit is covered with soil everyday thus preventing the breeding of flies and rats.
• Open dumps are more harmful than landfills as landfills after they are full can be used as a park/parking lot after covering it, but open dumps cannot be treated as such.

10. Which of the following industry, metals are produced as waste?

1. Skiing
2. Mining
3. Electroplating
4. Digging

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Electroplating is a process that produces a metal layer on a solid substrate through the cation reduction of that metal through the passage of a direct electric current.
• The electroplating process is used in industries for promoting the texture of objects, such as lubricity, appearance, electrical conductivity, corrosion, reflectivity and resistance to abrasion.