INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

NEW DELHI
THESIS REPORT ON
STUDY ON WASTE MANAGEMENT
FROM INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
SUBMITTED TO:
PROF. SUMANTA SHARMA
PROF. VIJAY KR. BODDU
EXTERNAL GUIDE:
MR. RAKESH SINGH
SUBMITTED BY
VAIBHAV DATTANI
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REGISTRATION ID NO.: DF/!/##"M"2!#
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ABSTRACT
In a country like India, which aspires to be a global economic giant, public
health and quality of life are degrading everyday with the increasing gap
between services required and those provided. India is also considered a
sacred nation by the majority of its inhabitants but the streets and open lands
in Indian cities are filled with untreated and rotting garbage. Some countries
have achieved considerable success in solid waste management. But the rest
of the world is grappling to deal with its wastes. In these places, improper
management of solid waste continues to impact public health of entire
communities and cities; pollute local water, air and land resources; contribute
to climate change and ocean plastic pollution; hinder climate change
adaptation; and accelerate depletion of forests and mines.
ompared to solid waste management, we can consider that the world has
achieved significant success in providing other basic necessities like food,
drinking water, energy and economic opportunities. !anaging solid wastes
properly can help improve the above services further. omposting organic
waste can help nurture crops and result in a better agricultural yield. "educing
landfilling and building sanitary landfills will reduce ground and surface water
pollution which can help provide cleaner drinking water. #nergy recovery from
non$recyclable wastes can satiate significant portion of a city%s energy
requirement. Inclusive waste management where informal waste recylcers are
involved can provide an enormous economic opportunity to the marginali&ed
urban poor. 'dditionally, a good solid waste management plan with cost
recovery mechanisms can free ta( payers money for other issues.
Solid waste management until now has only been a social responsibility of the
corporate world or one of the services to be provided by the municipality and
a non$priority for national governments. )owever, in !umbai, the improperly
managed wastes generate **,+++ tons of to(ic pollutants like particulate
matter, carbon mono(ide, nitrous and sulfur o(ides in addition to ,+,+++
grams of carcinogenic dio(ins and furans every year. -hese numbers are only
for the city of !umbai. -his is the case in cities all across the developing
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world. -here are numerous e(amples where groundwater is polluted by heavy
metals and organic contaminants due to solid waste landfills. Solid waste
management e(penditure of above . , billion per year competes with
education, poverty, security and other sustainable initiatives in /ew 0ork ity.
1ossil fuels for above 2++,+++ truck trips covering hundreds of miles are
required to transport /0%s waste to landfills outside the city and state.
Similarly, /ew 3elhi spends more than half of its entire municipal budget on
solid waste management, while it is desperate for investments and
maintenance of roads, buildings, and other infrastructure.
Solid waste management is not just a corporate social responsibility or a non$
priority service anymore. Improper waste management is a public health and
environmental crisis, economic loss, operational inefficiency and political and
public awareness failure. Integrated solid waste management can be a nation
building e(ercise for healthier and wealthier communities. -herefore, it needs
global attention to arrive at solutions which span across such a wide range of
issues.
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CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY
-his is to certify that the thesis titled S$%&' () W*+$, M*)*-,.,)$ /0(.
I)&1*) P,0+2,3$14, prepared by V*156*4 D*$$*)1 student of Indian Institute
of 4lanning and !anagement, for the award of degree in !aster of Business
'dministration has been completed under my supervision 5 guidance. It is an
original piece of work based on primary as well as secondary data.
-his work is satisfactory and complete in every respect. I wish him all the
success for his future endeavor.
-hanking you,
4lace6 /ew 3elhi
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# iv
THESIS COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
-his is to certify that the 4roject entitled S$%&' () W*+$, M*)*-,.,)$ /0(.
I)&1*) P,0+2,3$14, is a record bonafide work carried out by V*156*4
D*$$*)1 under my supervision towards partial fulfillment for the award of the
7!aster of Business 'dministration8 of Indian Institute of 4lanning and
!anagement, /ew 3elhi.
P7*3,: 8R*9,+6 S1)-6:
D*$,: T6,+1+ G%1&,
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THESIS TOPIC APPROVAL LETTER
1rom6 T6,+1+ 9thesis:iipm.edu;
3ate6 *< !arch *+,* ,*6=>
Subject6 -hesis -opic 'pproval ?!@ 1A +B$,,
-o6 vaibhav++,*+++:gmail.com
3ear Caibhav 3attani,

-his is to inform that your thesis proposal on 7Study on Aaste !anagement
from Indian 4erspective8, to be conducted under the guidance of !r. "akesh
Singh is hereby approved and the topic registration id number is DF/!/##"M"
2!#

!ake it a comprehensive thesis by ensuring that all the objectives as stated
by you in your synopsis are met using appropriate research design; a thesis
should aim at adding value to the e(isting knowledge base.

0ou are required to correspond with us by sending the thesis final draft Cijay
Dr. Boddu at boddu.vijay:iipm.edu 4h.$+,*=$ =B2**,= before the thesis
submission



"egards,
4rof .Sumanta Sharma
3ean ?4rojects@
II4!
Sumanta.sharma:iipm.edu
4hone6
EB, +,*= =B2**+, ?3@
EB, +,*= =B2**,2 ?Board@

Note:- Falls Under NC ( Might attract both monetary as well as non monetary
penalty).
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!#
NB:
,@ ' thesis would be rejected if there is any variation in the topicFtitle from the
one approved and registered with us.
*@ -he candidate needs to handwrite at least ,*++ to ,2++ words on the
summary of thesis at the time of viva.
vi
THESIS SYNOPSIS
DETAILS OF THE STUDENT
/ame6 Caibhav 3attani
Section6 4G4F1AF*++B$*+,,
4hone /umber6 EB, BH,++*,>IB
#mail address6 Caibhav++,*+++:gmail.com
DESIRED AREA OF RESEARCH
'gricultural waste from Indian 4erspective
TITLE OF THE THESIS
'gro Aaste !anagement
PROBLEM DEFINITION /HYPOTHESIS /RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Ahat is the source and state of agro waste in IndiaJ
Ahat are the government policy in regards to agro waste management
in IndiaJ
Ahat are the commercial aspects of agro waste management in India
and its benefits to all stakeholdersJ
Ahat are the key areas where agro waste management can be
implemented in IndiaJ
LITERATURE RELATED TO THE RESEARCH 8IN BRIEF:
India is primarily an agricultural country. In the absence of organised data,
e(act estimates of the agricultural wastes such as bagasse, banana leaves
and stalks, saw mill waste, sisal fibre, rice husk, jute stalk etc., are not
available, but their availability in the country is more than 2++ million tonnes
per year. -here is no Indian policy document which e(amines waste as part of
a cycle of production$consumption$recovery or perceives waste through a
prism of overall sustainability. In fact, interventions have been fragmented and
are often contradictory. -he new !unicipal Solid Aaste !anagement "ules
*+++, which came into effect from Kanuary *++=, fail even to manage waste in
a cyclic process. Aaste management still is a linear system of collection and
disposal, creating health and environmental ha&ards. "enewable energy
sources $solar, wind, and biomass have potential to be utili&ed as
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# vii
supplementary energy source. Biomass and animate power meet the major
energy needs of the rural sector, as it is available locally. -he decentrali&ed
production of electricity using biomass is being attempted through the
producer gas route, in addition to photovoltaic solar system for lifting water,
lighting and energy for household appliances. It is estimated that more than
I++ million tonnes of biomass is available from various crop residues and
agro$wastes of which about I+ LI2 per cent can be used for power
generation. Besides about *> million tonnes municipal waste is also available
which has potential to be utili&ed for energy production.
SCOPE OF THE THESIS WORK
-he thesis work will enlist6
Dey process in agro waste management
Its benefit to Indian subcontinent
1actors in favour of India to adopt to agro waste management to be
taken up commercially.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Secondary data L Government 4ublicationsFKournals and "eports
4rimary data$
-ool used$ Muestionnaire 5 Interviews
Sampling method$ Kudgmental Sampling
Sample si&e$ =+
-arget 'udience$ 'gro waste management solution providers 5 agencies
like -#"I, !/"#, etc
SUMMER TRAINING REPORT 8IN BRIEF:
ompany6 4lanman !edia 4vt Ntd, /araina.
4roject title6 4re$Sale
4roject Guide6 !rs. "una 4asricha ?!anager@
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P0(;,3$ S%..*0':
It covers the marketing and advertising of the maga&ine the human factors
and =4s, basically creating clients and their ads in the maga&ines.
DETAILS OF THE EXTERNAL GUIDE
"akesh Singh
Business 3evelopment !anager ?'gro@ L -#"I
APPROVAL LETTER FROM EXTERNAL GUIDE
?Signatory note from guide stating that heFshe would guide you@
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TABLE OF CONTENT
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the beginning, we would like to e(tend my heart$felt gratitude to my
guideFmentor, M0. R*9,+6 S1)-6 for his constant guidance and support that
has helped me to complete the project report.
In fact no project could be completed without meaningful suggestions and
guidance of M0. R*9,+6 S1)-6 that helped me during my task and shared
their precious time with me. It is my pleasure to present this project work
'ssigned to me. It is my sincere endeavor to e(press my gratitude towards all
those who directly or indirectly contributed to this project Aork.
Nast but not the least our must e(cuse myself if in advertently I missed to
thank all those who have helped and inspired me in doing this 4roject report
actively.
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CHAPTER"#
INTRODUCTION
'gricultural production leaves considerable amounts of agricultural waste.
Some of it is recycled into the agricultural production as fertili&er, while large
amounts remain unused L and in many instances pose a disposal problem.
Qncontrolled burning in the fields is not only a ha&ardous disposal solution $ it
is also wasting useful energy. Aith efficient collection systems, waste from
agricultural production can be utilised as fuel for power and heat production.
In some agricultural industries large amounts of biomass waste is already
concentrated and readily available for utilisation. -he palm oil industry, for
instance, produces significant amounts of empty fruit bunches that can be
incinerated. Niquid wastes may also be methani&ed and can secure a basis
for own power and process heat production while delivering e(cess power to
the grid. In the sugar industry, significant amounts of bagasse L the waste
after e(traction of sugar L is an equally e(cellent fuel. "ice production may
also be industrialised to such an e(tent that rice husks are available in
amounts sufficient for incineration in a boiler, thereby securing a basis for
power and heat production.
In the forest industry, large concentrations of biomass waste can be utilised
for power and heat production, e.g. at sawmills. -he forest industry also
supplies raw material for briquettes production, where sawdust, charcoal dust,
degradable waste paper and dust from agricultural production may constitute
a final utilisation of waste materials from agriculture related production.
India is primarily an agricultural country. In the absence of organised data,
e(act estimates of the agricultural wastes such as bagasse, banana leaves
and stalks, saw mill waste, sisal fibre, rice husk, jute stalk etc., are not
available, but their availability in the country is more than 2++ million tonnes
per year. -here is no Indian policy document which e(amines waste as part of
a cycle of production$consumption$recovery or perceives waste through a
prism of overall sustainability. In fact, interventions have been fragmented and
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 1
are often contradictory. -he new !unicipal Solid Aaste !anagement "ules
*+++, which came into effect from Kanuary *++=, fail even to manage waste in
a cyclic process. Aaste management still is a linear system of collection and
disposal, creating health and environmental ha&ards. "enewable energy
sources $solar, wind, and biomass have potential to be utili&ed as
supplementary energy source. Biomass and animate power meet the major
energy needs of the rural sector, as it is available locally. -he decentrali&ed
production of electricity using biomass is being attempted through the
producer gas route, in addition to photovoltaic solar system for lifting water,
lighting and energy for household appliances. It is estimated that more than
I++ million tonnes of biomass is available from various crop residues and
agro$wastes of which about I+ LI2 per cent can be used for power
generation. Besides about *> million tonnes municipal waste is also available
which has potential to be utili&ed for energy production.
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CHAPTER"2
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Ahat is the source and state of agro waste in IndiaJ
Ahat are the government policy in regards to agro waste management
in IndiaJ
Ahat are the commercial aspects of agro waste management in India
and its benefits to all stakeholdersJ
Ahat are the key areas where agro waste management can be
implemented in IndiaJ
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Secondary data L Government 4ublicationsFKournals and "eports
4rimary data$
-ool used$ Muestionnaire 5 Interviews
Sampling method$ Kudgmental Sampling
Sample si&e$ =+
-arget 'udience$ 'gro waste management solution providers 5 agencies
like -#"I, !/"#, etc
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CHAPTER"<
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Aaste is e(clusively human problem. Cirtually every pound of natural
resources we take from forests, mines, wells, aquifers, and earth ends up
sooner or later in an unmanageable pile of trash with no place to go or in
other forms of pollution.
Aaste are two major type
Solid waste
Niquid waste
WHAT IS SOLID WASTE=
-he sight of a dustbin overflowing and the stench rising from it, the all too
familiar sights and smells of a crowded city. 0ou look away from it and hold
your nose as you cross it. )ave you ever thought that you also have a role to
play in the creation of this stenchJ -hat you can also play a role in the
lessening of this smell and making this waste bin look a little more attractive if
you follow proper methods of disposal of the waste generated in the houseJ
Since the beginning, humankind has been
generating waste, be it the bones and other
parts of animals they slaughter for their food or
the wood they cut to make their carts. Aith the
progress of civili&ation, the waste generated
became of a more comple( nature. 't the end of the ,Bth

century the
industrial revolution saw the rise of the world of consumers. /ot only did the
air get more and more polluted but the earth itself became more polluted with
the generation of nonbiodegradable solid waste. -he increase in population
and urbani&ation was also largely responsible for the increase in solid waste.
#ach household generates garbage or waste day in and day out. Items that
we no longer need or do not have any further use for fall in the category of
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waste, and we tend to throw them away. -here are different types of solid
waste depending on their source. In todayRs polluted world, learning the
correct methods of handling the waste generated has become essential.
Segregation is an important method of handling municipal solid waste.
Segregation at source can be understood clearly by representation. One of
the important methods of managing and treating wastes is composting. 's the
cities are growing in si&e and in problems such as the generation of plastic
waste, various municipal waste treatment and disposal methods are now
being used to try and resolve these problems. One common sight in all cities
is the rag picker who plays an important role in the segregation of this waste.
TYPES OF SOLID WASTE
Solid waste can be classified into different types depending on their source6
a@ )ousehold waste is generally classified as municipal waste,
b@ Industrial waste as ha&ardous waste, and
c@ Biomedical waste or hospital waste as infectious waste.
M%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$,
!unicipal solid waste consists of household waste,
construction and demolition debris, sanitation
residue, and waste from streets. -his garbage is
generated mainly from residential and commercial
comple(es. Aith rising urbani&ation and change in
lifestyle and food habits, the amount of municipal solid waste has been
increasing rapidly and its composition changing. In ,B=> cities and towns in
India generated an estimated I million tonnes of solid waste, in ,BB> it was
about =H million tonnes. !ore than *2S of the municipal solid waste is not
collected at all; >+S of the Indian cities lack adequate capacity to transport it
and there are no sanitary landfills to dispose of the waste.
-he e(isting landfills are neither well equipped or well managed and are not
lined properly to protect against contamination of soil and groundwater.
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Over the last few years, the consumer market has grown rapidly leading to
products being packed in cans, aluminium foils, plastics, and other such
nonbiodegradable items that cause incalculable harm to the environment. In
India, some municipal areas have banned the use of plastics and they seem
to have achieved success. 1or e(ample, today one will not see a single piece
of plastic in the entire district of Nadakh where the local authorities imposed a
ban on plastics in ,BBH. Other states should follow the e(ample of this region
and ban the use of items that cause harm to the environment. One positive
note is that in many large cities, shops have begun packing items in reusable
or biodegradable bags. ertain biodegradable items can also be composted
and reused. In fact proper handling of the biodegradable waste will
considerably lessen the burden of solid waste that each city has to tackle.
-here are different categories of waste generated, each take their own time to
degenerate ?as illustrated in the table below@.
T6, $'2, (/ 71$$,0 >, -,),0*$, *)& $6, *220(?1.*$, $1., 1$ $*9,+ $(
&,-,),0*$,
-ype of litter 'ppro(imate time it takes to
degenerate the litter
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Organic waste such as vegetable and fruit
peels, leftover foodstuff, etc.
a week or two.
4aper ,+L<+ days
otton cloth *L2 months
Aood ,+L,2 years
Aoolen items , year
-in, aluminium, and other metal items such as
cans
,++L2++ years
4lastic bags one million yearsJ
Glass bottles undetermined
HA@ARDOUS WASTE
Industrial and hospital waste is considered ha&ardous as they may contain
to(ic substances. ertain types of household waste are also ha&ardous.
)a&ardous wastes could be highly to(ic to humans, animals, and plants; are
corrosive, highly inflammable, or e(plosive; and react when e(posed to
certain things e.g. gases. India generates around > million tonnes of
ha&ardous wastes every year, most of which is concentrated in four states6
'ndhra 4radesh, Bihar, Qttar 4radesh, and -amil /adu.
)ousehold waste that can be categori&ed as ha&ardous waste include old
batteries, shoe polish, paint tins, old medicines, and medicine bottles.
)ospital waste contaminated by chemicals used in hospitals is considered
ha&ardous. -hese chemicals include formaldehyde and phenols, which are
used as disinfectants, and mercury, which is used in thermometers or
equipment that measure blood pressure. !ost hospitals in India do not have
proper disposal facilities for these ha&ardous wastes.
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In the industrial sector, the major generators of ha&ardous waste are the
metal, chemical, paper, pesticide, dye, refining, and rubber goods industries.
3irect e(posure to chemicals in ha&ardous waste such as mercury and
cyanide can be fatal.
HOSPITAL WASTE
)ospital waste is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immuni&ation
of human beings or animals or in research activities in these fields or in the
production or testing of biological. It may include wastes like sharps, soiled
waste, disposables, anatomical waste, cultures, discarded medicines,
chemical wastes, etc. -hese are in the form of disposable syringes, swabs,
bandages, body fluids, human e(creta, etc. -his waste is highly infectious and
can be a serious threat to human health if not managed in a scientific and
discriminate manner. It has been roughly estimated that of the = kg of waste
generated in a hospital at least , kg would be infected.
Surveys carried out by various agencies show that the health care
establishments in India are not giving due attention to their waste
management. 'fter the notification of the Bio$medical Aaste ?)andling and
!anagement@ "ules, ,BBH, these establishments are slowly streamlining the
process of waste segregation, collection, treatment, and disposal. !any of the
larger hospitals have either installed the treatment facilities or are in the
process of doing so.
WHAT IS RADIOACTIVE WASTE =
"adioactive waste, arising from civilian nuclear activities as well as from
defense$related nuclear$weapon activities, poses a formidable problem for
handling and protecting the environment to be safe to the present and future
generations. -his article deals with this global problem in its varied aspects
and discusses the cause for concern, the magnitude of the waste involved
and various solutions proposed and being practiced. 's nuclear power and
arsenal grow, continuous monitoring and immobili&ation of the waste over
several decades and centuries and deposition in safe repositories, assumes
great relevance and importance.
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WHAT IS LIAUID WASTE=
By virtue of unchecked withdrawal of underground water, the community
tends to generate disproportionately high volume of liquid waste. On one hand
it develops enormous pressure on the sewage system that are not designed
to carry such a large volume, on the other hand it depletes the precious
underground water table at an alarming rate. 3efective water supply systems,
leaking outdated supply lines and lack of effective maintenance, irresponsible
and lavish consumption habits, use of potable water for horticulture 5 farm
operations, round the clock supply as against intermittent supply etc. are
some of the identifiable factors that contribute in no small measure in
generating e(cessive liquid waste. Ahereas a large segment of our
population does not have access to potable drinking water, the privileged
community of a residential campus indulges in the lu(ury of e(cessive
consumption, in the absence of a national policy and self$restraint. If we were
to preserve the scare natural resource, as vital as water, we need to develop
norms for withdrawal of water from deep aquifers and also an effective
mechanism to enforce discipline. "echarging the underground water table
also needs to be made mandatory, as part of water table preservation policy
and water harvesting techniques need to be put in place.
-he Institutions usually do not treat the liquid waste before discharging them
into the drains and local water bodies. Ahen untreated wastewater is allowed
to accumulate, the decomposition of organic materials in it leads to production
of obno(ious gases. In addition, the untreated wastewater contains a variety
of pathogenic, disease causing microorganisms and to(ic compounds.
-herefore the immediate and nuisance free removal of wastewater from its
source of generation, followed by treatment and disposal, is not only desirable
but also essential in the larger interest of the environment. )owever in
absence of any norms and cost effective models for treatment and disposal of
wastewater on mini scales, the educational institutions continue to discharge
untreated water with impunity, in total disregard to its social responsibilities.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
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Aaste management is the collection, transport, processing ?waste treatment@,
recycling or disposal of waste materials, usually ones produced by human
activity, in an effort to reduce their effect on human health or local aesthetics
or amenity. ' subfocus in recent decades has been to reduce waste materials%
effect on the natural world and the environment and to recover resources from
them. Aaste management can involve solid, liquid or gaseous with different
methods and fields of e(pertise for each.
Aaste management practices differ for developed and developing nations, for
urban and rural areas, and for residential, industrial, and commercial
producers. Aaste management for non$ha&ardous residential and institutional
waste in metropolitan areas is usually the responsibility of local government
authorities, while management for non$ha&ardous commercial and industrial
waste is usually the responsibility of the generator
WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
-here are a number of concepts about waste management, which vary in their
usage between countries or regions.
-he waste hierarchy classifies waste management strategies according to
their desirability. -he waste hierarchy has taken many forms over the past
decade, but the basic concept has remained the cornerstone of most waste
minimisation strategies. -he aim of the waste hierarchy is to e(tract the
ma(imum practical benefits from products and to generate the minimum
amount of waste.
Some waste management e(perts have recently incorporated a %fourth "%6
T"e$thinkT, with the implied meaning that the present system may have
fundamental flaws, and that a thoroughly effective system of waste
management may need an entirely new way of looking at waste. Some Tre$
thinkT solutions may be counter$intuitive, such as cutting fabric patterns with
slightly more Twaste materialT left $$ the now larger scraps are then used for
cutting small parts of the pattern, resulting in a decrease in net waste. -his
type of solution is by no means limited to the clothing industry.
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Source reduction involves efforts to reduce ha&ardous waste and other
materials by modifying industrial production. Source reduction methods
involve changes in manufacturing technology, raw material inputs, and
product formulation. 't times, the term Tpollution preventionT may refer to
source reduction.
'nother method of source reduction is to increase incentives for recycling.
!any communities in the Qnited States are implementing variable rate pricing
for waste disposal which has been effective in reducing the si&e of the
municipal waste stream.
Source reduction is typically measured by efficiencies and cutbacks in waste.
Toxics use reduction is a more controversial approach to source reduction that
targets and measures reductions in the upstream use of to(ic materials.
-o(ics use reduction emphasi&es the more preventive aspects of source
reduction but, due to its emphasis on to(ic chemical inputs, has been
opposed more vigorously by chemical manufacturers. Toxics use reduction
programs have been set up by legislation in some states, e.g.,
!assachusetts, /ew Kersey and Oregon.
RESOURCE RECOVERY
F(%0 R+ 8R,/%+,B R,%+,B R,3'37,B R,&%3,: $( 5, /(77(>,& /(0 >*+$,
.*)*-,.,)$
,. R,/%+,. Instead of buying new containers from the market, use the ones
that are in the house. "efuse to buy new items though you may think they
are prettier than the ones you already have.
*. R,%+,. 3o not throw away the soft drink cans or the bottles; cover them
with homemade paper or paint on them and use them as pencil stands or
small vases.
<. R,3'37,. Qse shopping bags made of cloth or jute, which can be used
over and over again Uwill this come under recycle or reduceJV.Segregate
your waste to make sure that it is collected and taken for recycling.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 11
=. R,&%3,. "educe the generation of unnecessary waste, e.g. carry your
own shopping bag when you go to the market and put all your purchases
directly into it.
' relatively recent idea in waste management has been to treat the waste
material as a resource to be e(ploited, instead of simply a challenge to be
managed and disposed of. -here are a number of different methods by which
resources may be e(tracted from waste6 the materials may be e(tracted and
recycled, or the calorific content of the waste may be converted to electricity.
-he process of e(tracting resources or value from waste is variously referred
to as secondary resource recovery, recycling, and other terms. -he practice of
treating waste materials as a resource is becoming more common, especially
in metropolitan areas where space for new landfills is becoming scarcer.
-here is also a growing acknowledgement that simply disposing of waste
materials is unsustainable in the long term, as there is a finite supply of most
raw materials.
-here are a number of methods of recovering resources from waste materials,
with new technologies and methods being developed continuously.
In some developing nations some resource recovery already takes place by
way of manual labourers who sift through un$segregated garbage to salvage
material that can be sold in the recycling market. -hese unrecogni&ed workers
called wastepickers or ragpickers, are part of the informal sector, but play a
significant role in reducing the load on the !unicipalities% Solid Aaste
!anagement departments. -here is an increasing trend in recogni&ing their
contribution to the environment and there are efforts to try and integrate them
into the formal waste management systems, which is proven to be both cost
effective and also appears to help in urban poverty alleviation. )owever, the
very high human cost of these activities including disease, injury and reduced
life e(pectancy through contact with to(ic or infectious materials would not be
tolerated in a developed country.
RECYCLING AND REUSES
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 12
"ecycling involves the collection of used and discarded
materials processing these materials and making them
into new products. It reduces the amount of waste that
is thrown into the community dustbins thereby making
the environment cleaner and the air more fresh to
breathe.
Surveys carried out by Government and non$government agencies in the
country have all recogni&ed the importance of recycling wastes. )owever, the
methodology for safe recycling of waste has not been standardi&ed. Studies
have revealed that > S$,2S of the waste is recycled. If recycling is done in a
proper manner, it will solve the problems of waste or garbage. 't the
community level, a large number of /GOs ?/on Governmental Organi&ations@
and private sector enterprises have taken an initiative in segregation and
recycling of waste ?#P/O"' International in hennai recycles a large part of
the waste that is collected@. It is being used for composting; making pellets to
be used in gasifies, etc. 4lastics are sold to the factories that reuse them.
-he steps involved in the process prior to recycling include
a@ ollection of waste from doorsteps, commercial places, etc
b@ ollection of waste from community dumps.
c@ ollectionFpicking up of waste from final disposal sites.
!ost of the garbage generated in the household can be recycled and reused.
Organic kitchen waste such as leftover foodstuff, vegetable peels, and spoilt
or dried fruits and vegetables can be recycled by putting them in the compost
pits that have been dug in the garden. Old newspapers, maga&ines and
bottles can be sold to the kabadiwala the man who buys these items from
homes.
In your own homes you can contribute to waste reduction and the recycling
and reuse of certain items. -o cover you books you can use old calendars; old
greeting cards can also be reused. 4aper can also be made at home through
a very simple process and you can paint on them.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 13
S(., 1$,.+ $6*$ 3*) 5, 0,3'37,& (0 0,%+,&
P*2,0
o Old copies
o Old books
o 4aper bags
o /ewspapers
o Old greeting cards
o ardboard bo(
P7*+$13
o ontainers
o Bottles
o Bags
o Sheets
G7*++ *)& 3,0*.13+
o Bottles
o 4lates
o up
o Bowls
M1+3,77*),(%+
o Old cans
o Qtensils
o lothes
o 1urniture
Aaste recycling has some significant advantages.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 14
Neads to less utili&ation of raw materials.
"educes environmental impacts arising from waste treatment and
disposal.
!akes the surroundings cleaner and healthier.
Saves on landfill space.
Saves money
"educes the amount of energy required to manufacture new products.
In fact recycling can prevent the creation of waste at the source.
C(.2*01)- R,3'371)- W1$6 N(0.*7 E?$0*3$1()
'luminium "ecycling one kilogram of aluminum
saves up to H kilograms of bau(ite,
four kilograms of chemical products
and ,= kilowatt hours of electricity.
It takes *+ times more energy
to make aluminum from
bau(ite ore than using
recycled aluminum.
Glass ' *+S reduction in emissions from
glass furnaces and up to <*S
reduction in energy usage.
1or every ton of recycled glass
used, appro( <,2 kilos of
arbon dio(ide and ,.* tons of
raw materials are spared.
4aper ' ton of paper from recycled
material conserves about >,+++
gallons of water, ,>$<, trees, I+ lb
of air pollutants and =,+++ DAh of
electricity.
!illing paper from recycled
paper uses *+S less energy
than it does to make paper
from fresh lumber.
RECYCLING TECHNIAUES
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 15
!any different materials can be recycled but each type requires a different
technique
A7%.1)1%.
'luminium is shredded and ground into small pieces. -hese pieces are
melted in an aluminium smelter to produce molten aluminium. By this stage
the recycled aluminium is indistinguishable from virgin aluminium and further
processing is identical for both. -he environmental benefits of recycling
aluminium are also enormous. Only around 2S of the O
*
is produced during
the recycling process compared to producing raw aluminium ?and an even
smaller percentage when considering the complete cycle of mining and
transporting the aluminium@. 'lso, as open$cut mining most often used for
obtaining aluminium ore, mining destroys large sections of natural land.
B*$$,01,+
-he large variation in si&e and type of batteries makes their recycling
e(tremely difficult6 they must first be sorted into similar kinds and each kind
requires an individual recycling process. 'dditionally, older batteries contain
mercury and cadmium, harmful materials which must be handled with caution.
E7,3$013*7 ,C%12.,)$
-he direct disposal of electrical equipmentWsuch as old computers and
mobile phonesWis banned in many areas due to the to(ic contents of certain
components. -he recycling process works by mechanically separating the
metals, plastics and circuit boards contained in the appliance. Ahen this is
done on a large scale at an electronic waste recycling plant, component
recovery can be achieved in a cost$effective manner.
G7*++
Glass bottles and jars are gathered via kerbside collection schemes and bottle
banks, where the glass is sorted into colour categories. -he collected glass
cullet is taken to a glass recycling plant where it is monitored for purity and
contaminants are removed. -he cullet is crushed and added to a raw material
mi( in a melting furnace. It is then mechanically blown or moulded into new
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 16
jars or bottles. Glass cullet is also used in the construction industry for
aggregate and glasphalt. Glasphalt is a road$laying material which comprises
around <+S recycled glass. Glass can be recycled indefinitely as its structure
does not deteriorate when reprocessed.
T,?$17,+
Ahen considering te(tile recycling one must understand what the material
consists of. !ost te(tiles are composites of cotton ?biodegradable material@
and synthetic plastics. -he te(tiles composition will affect its durability and
method of recycling.
Aorkers sort and separate collected te(tiles into good quality clothing and
shoes which can be reused or worn. 3amaged te(tiles are further sorted into
grades to make industrial wiping cloths and for use in paper manufacture or
material which is suitable for fibre reclamation and filling products.
1ibre reclamation mills sort te(tiles according to fibre type and colour. olour
sorting eliminates the need to re$dye the recycled te(tiles. -he te(tiles are
shredded into %shoddy% fibres and blended with other selected fibres,
depending on the intended end use of the recycled yarn. -he blended mi(ture
is carded to clean and mi( the fibres and spun ready for weaving or knitting.
-he fibres can also be compressed for mattress production. -e(tiles sent to
the flocking industry are shredded to make filling material for car insulation,
roofing felts, loudspeaker cones, panel linings and furniture padding.
P*2,0
4aper can be directly recycled or treated with other biodegradable wastes. In
direct recycling it is separated into its component fibres in water, which
creates a pulp slurry material. ' cleaning process removes non$fibrous
contaminants and if required, sodium hydro(ide or sodium carbonate is used
to de$ink the material. -his fibre is then ready to be used to make new
recycled paper. 4aper is the main material that gets recycled in most
countries.
P7*+$13+
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 17
4lastic with its e(clusive qualities of being light yet strong and
economical, has invaded every aspect of our day$to$day life. It
has many advantages6 it is durable, light, easy to mould, and
can be adapted to different user requirements. Once hailed as
a %wonder material%, plastic is now a serious worldwide
environmental and health concern, essentially due to its nonbiodegradable
nature.
In India, the plastic industry is growing phenomenally. 4lastics have use in all
sectors of the economy L infrastructure, construction, agriculture, consumer
goods, telecommunications, and packaging. But the good news is that along
with a growth in the use, a country$wide network for collection of plastic waste
through rag pickers, waste collectors and waste dealers and recycling
enterprises has sprung all over the country over the last decade or so. !ore
than 2+S of the plastic waste generated in the country is recycled and used in
the manufacture of various plastic products.
onventional plastics have been associated with reproductive problems in
both wildlife and humans. Studies have shown a decline in human sperm
count and quality, genital abnormalities and a rise in the incidence of breast
cancer. 3io(in a highly carcinogenic and to(ic by$product of the manufacturing
process of plastics, is one of the chemicals believed to be passed on through
breast milk to the nursing infant. Burning of plastics, especially 4C releases
this dio(in and also furan into the atmosphere. -hus, conventional plastics,
right from their manufacture to their disposal are a major problem to the
environment.
4lastics are so versatile in use that their impacts on the environment are
e(tremely wide ranging. areless disposal of plastic bags chokes drains,
blocks the porosity of the soil and causes problems for groundwater recharge.
4lastic disturbs the soil microbe activity, and once ingested, can kill animals.
4lastic bags can also contaminate foodstuffs due to leaching of to(ic dyes and
transfer of pathogens. In fact, a major portion of the plastic bags i.e.
appro(imately I+$H+S of the plastic
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 18
S(%03, (/ -,),0*$1() (/ >*+$, 27*+$13+
HOUSEHOLD
o arry bags
o Bottles
o ontainers
o -rash bags
HEALTH AND MEDICARE
o 3isposable syringes
o Glucose bottles
o Blood and uro bags
o Intravenous tubes
o atheters
o Surgical gloves
HOTEL AND CATERING
o 4ackaging items
o !ineral water bottles
o 4lastic plates, glasses, spoons
AIR/RAIL TRAVEL
o !ineral water bottles
o 4lastic plates, glasses, spoons
o 4lastic bags
Aaste generated in India is collected and segregated to be recycled. -he rest
remains strewn on the ground, littered around in open drains, or in
unmanaged garbage dumps. -hough only a small percentage lies strewn it is
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 19
this portion that is of concern as it causes e(tensive damage to the
environment.
-he plastic industry in the developed world has reali&ed the need of
environmentally acceptable modes for recycling plastics wastes and has set
out targets and missions.
3esigning eco$friendly, a biodegradable plastic is the need of the hour.
-hough partially biodegradable plastics have been developed and used,
completely biodegradable plastics based on renewable starch rather than
petrochemicals have only recently been developed and are in the early stages
of commerciali&ation.
WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNIAUES
's cities are growing in si&e with a rise in the population, the amount of waste
generated is increasing becoming unmanageable. !anaging municipal waste,
industrial waste and commercial waste has traditionally consisted of
collection, followed by disposal. 3epending upon the type of waste and the
area, a level of processing may follow collection. -his processing may be to
reduce the ha&ard of the waste, recover material for recycling, produce
energy from the waste, or reduce it in volume for more efficient disposal. -he
local corporations have adapted different methods for the disposal of waste
Open dumps.
Nandfills.
Sanitary landfills.
Incineration plants.
One of the important methods of waste treatment is composting.
O2,) &%.2+
Open dumps refer to uncovered areas that are used to dump solid waste of all
kinds. -he waste is untreated, uncovered, and not segregated. It is the
breeding ground for flies, rats, and other insects that spread disease. -he
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 20
rainwater run$off from these dumps contaminates nearby land and water
thereby spreading disease. In some countries, open dumps are being phased
out.
L*)&/177+
Nandfills are generally located in urban areas where a large amount of waste
is generated and has to be dumped in a common place. Qnlike an open
dump, it is a pit that is dug in the ground. -he garbage is dumped and the pit
is covered thus preventing the breeding of flies and rats. 't the end of each
day, a layer of soil is scattered on top of it and some mechanism, usually
earth$moving equipment is used to compress the garbage, which now forms a
cell. -hus, every day, garbage is dumped and becomes a cell. 'fter the landfill
is full, the area is covered with a thick layer of mud and the site can thereafter
be developed as a parking lot or a park.
Nandfills have many problems. 'll types of waste is dumped in landfills and
when water seeps through them it gets contaminated and in turn pollutes the
surrounding area. -his contamination of groundwater and soil through landfills
is known as leaching.
S*)1$*0' 7*)&/177+
'n alternative to landfills which will solve the problem of leaching to some
e(tent, is a sanitary landfill which is more hygienic and built in a methodical
manner. -hese are lined with materials that are impermeable such as plastics
and clay, and are also built over impermeable soil. onstructing sanitary
landfills is very costly and they are have their own problems. Some authorities
claim that often the plastic liner develops cracks as it reacts with various
chemical solvents present in the waste.
-he rate of decomposition in sanitary landfills is also e(tremely variable. -his
can be due to the fact that less o(ygen is available as the garbage is
compressed very tightly. It has also been observed that some biodegradable
materials do not decompose in a landfill. 'nother major problem is the
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 21
development of methane gas, which occurs when little o(ygen is present, i.e.
during anaerobic decomposition.
!any landfills also have a landfill gas e(traction system installed after closure
to e(tract the gas generated by the decomposing waste materials. -his gas is
often burnt in a gas engine to generate electricity. #ven flaring the gas off is a
better environmental outcome than allowing it to escape to the atmosphere,
as this consumes the methane, which is a far stronger greenhouse gas than
carbon dio(ide. Some of it can be tapped for use as a fuel.
I)31),0*$1() 27*)$+
-his process of burning waste in large furnaces is known as incineration. In
these plants the recyclable material is segregated and the rest of the material
is burnt. 't the end of the process all that is left behind is ash. 3uring the
process some of the ash floats out with the hot air. -his is called fly ash. Both
the fly ash and the ash that is left in the furnace after burning have high
concentrations of dangerous to(ins such as dio(ins and heavy metals.
3isposing of this ash is a problem. -he ash that is buried at the landfills
leaches the area and cause severe contamination.
Burning garbage is not a clean process as it produces tonnes of to(ic ash and
pollutes the air and water. ' large amount of the waste that is burnt here can
be recovered and recycled. In fact, at present, incineration is kept as the last
resort and is used mainly for treating the infectious waste.
C(.2(+$1)-
Organic matter constitutes <2SL
=+S of the municipal solid waste
generated in India. -his waste
can be recycled by the method of
composting, one of the oldest
forms of disposal. It is the natural
process of decomposition of
organic waste that yields manure or compost, which is very rich in nutrients.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 22
omposting is a biological process in which micro$organisms, mainly fungi
and bacteria, convert degradable organic waste into humus like substance.
-his finished product which looks like soil, is high in carbon and nitrogen and
is an e(cellent medium for growing plants. -he process of composting
ensures the waste that is produced in the kitchens is not carelessly thrown
and left to rot. It recycles the nutrients and returns them to the soil as
nutrients. 'part from being clean, cheap, and safe, composting can
significantly reduce the amount of disposable garbage. -he organic fertili&er
can be used instead of chemical fertili&ers and is better specially when used
for vegetables. It increases the soilRs ability to hold water and makes the soil
easier to cultivate. It helped the soil retain more of the plant nutrients.
Cermi$composting has become very popular in the last few years. In this
method, worms are added to the compost. -hese help to break the waste and
the added e(creta of the worms makes the compost very rich in nutrients. In
the activity section of this web site you can learn how to make a compost pit
or a vermi$compost pit in your school or in the garden at home.
-o make a compost pit, you have to select a cool, shaded corner of the
garden or the school compound and dig a pit, which ideally should be < feet
deep. -his depth is convenient for aerobic composting as the compost has to
be turned at regular intervals in this process. 4referably the pit should be lined
with granite or brick to prevent nitrite pollution of the subsoil water, which is
known to be highly to(ic.
#ach time organic matter is added to the pit it should be covered with a layer
of dried leaves or a thin layer of soil which allows air to enter the pit thereby
preventing bad odour. 't the end of =2 days, the rich pure organic matter is
ready to be used.
Composting: some benefits
ompost allows the soil to retain more plant nutrients over a longer
period.
It supplies part of the ,I essential elements needed by the plants.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 23
It helps reduce the adverse effects of e(cessive alkalinity, acidity, or the
e(cessive use of chemical fertili&er.
It makes soil easier to cultivate.
It helps keep the soil cool in summer and warm in winter.
It aids in preventing soil erosion by keeping the soil covered.
It helps in controlling the growth of weeds in the garden.
RETHINKING WASTE MANAGEMENT
-here is no Indian policy document which e(amines waste as part of a cycle
of production$consumption$recovery or perceives waste through a prism of
overall sustainability. In fact, interventions have been fragmented and are
often contradictory. -he new !unicipal Solid Aaste !anagement "ules *+++,
which came into effect from Kanuary *++=, fail even to manage waste in a
cyclic process. Aaste management still is a linear system of collection and
disposal, creating health and environmental ha&ards.
Qrban India is likely to face a massive waste disposal problem in the coming
years. Qntil now, the problem of waste has been seen as one of cleaning and
disposing as rubbish. But a closer look at the current and future scenario
reveals that waste needs to be treated holistically, recogni&ing its natural
resource roots as well as health impacts. Aaste can be wealth, which has
tremendous potential not only for generating livelihoods for the urban poor but
can also enrich the earth through composting and recycling rather than
spreading pollution as has been the case. Increasing urban migration and a
high density of population will make waste management a difficult issue to
handle in the near future, if a new paradigm for approaching it is not created.
3eveloping countries such as India are undergoing a massive migration of
their population from rural to urban centers. /ew consumption patterns and
social linkages are emerging. India will have more than =+ per cent, i.e. over
=++ million people, clustered in cities over the ne(t thirty years ?Q/, ,BB2@.
!odern urban living brings on the problem of waste, which increases in
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 24
quantity, and changes in composition with each passing day. -here is,
however, an inadequate understanding of the problem, both of infrastructure
requirements as well as its social dimensions. Qrban planners, municipal
agencies, environmental regulators, labour groups, citi&ensR groups and non$
governmental organisations need to develop a variety of responses which are
rooted in local dynamics, rather than borrow non$conte(tual solutions from
elsewhere.
-here have been a variety of policy responses to the problem of urban solid
waste in India, especially over the past few years, yet sustainable solutions
either of organic or inorganic waste remain untapped and unattended. 'll
policy documents as well as legislation dealing with urban solid waste
mention or acknowledge recycling as one of the ways of diverting waste, but
they do so in a piece$meal manner and do not address the framework
needed to enable this to happen. ritical issues such as industry
responsibility, a critical paradigm to enable sustainable recycling and to
catalyse waste reduction through, say better packing, have not been touched
upon.
'ny new paradigm should include a cradle$to$grave approach with
responsibility being shared by many stakeholders, including product
manufacturers, consumers and communities, the recycling industry, trade,
municipalities and the urban poor.
W6*$ 1+ (%0 >*+$,=
onsumption, linked to per capita income, has a strong relationship with
waste generation. 's per capita income rises, more savings are spent on
goods and services, especially when the transition is from a low income to a
middle$income level. Qrbani&ation not only concentrates waste, but also
raises generation rates since rural consumers consume less than urban ones.
India will probably see a rise in waste generation from less than =+,+++ metric
tonnes per year to over ,*2,+++ metric tonnes by the year *+<+ ?Srishti,
*+++@. -echnologies, which can process organic wastes have to be a
mainstay to any solution. -he Supreme ourt appointed the Burman
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 25
ommittee ?,BBB@, which rightly recommended that composting should be
carried out in each municipality. omposting is probably the easiest and most
appropriate technology to deal with a majority of our waste, given its organic
nature.
)owever, new and e(pensive technologies are being pushed to deal with our
urban waste problem, ignoring their environmental and social implications. It
is particularly true in the case of thermal treatment of waste using
technologies such as gasification, incineration, pyrolysis or pellatisation.
Indian waste content does not provide enough fuel value ?caloric value@ for
profitable energy production ?and is unlikely to do so soon@. It needs the
addition of au(iliary fuel or energy. Such technologies put communities to risk
and are opposed widely. 1or e(ample, the Qnited States has not been able to
install a new incinerator for the past five years, while costs for burning
garbage have escalated astronomically with rising environmental standards in
#urope.
Ahile the more developed countries are doing away with incinerators because
of high costs ?due to higher standards of emission control@, developing
countries have become potential markets for dumping such technologies.
Incinerators routinely emit dio(ins, furans and polychlorinated by$phenyls
?4B@, which are deadly to(ins, casing cancer and endocrine system
damage. Other conventional to(ins such as mercury, heavy metals are also
released. 4ollution control costs for incinerators can e(ceed over 2+ per cent
of their already astronomical cost, and an incinerator for *,+++ metric tonnes
of waste per day can cost over 2++ million QS dollars. Ironically, the better the
air control works, the more pollutants are transferred to land and water,
through scrubbers and filters and the problem of safe landfill disposal of the
ash remains.
'gain, such measures go against the requirements of the !unicipal Solid
Aaste !anagement "ules *+++, which asks for source segregation of waste
for cleaner composting and recycling. -he lessons of incinerating Indian urban
waste do not seem to have been learnt, despite a disastrous e(perience with
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 26
a 3utch$funded incinerator in 3elhi. It ran for just one week in ,BH=, since the
calorific value of the fuel was less than half of that the incinerator needed.
C(.2(+$1)-: $6, ,)410().,)$*77' *)& ,3()(.13*77' +%+$*1)*57, +(7%$1()
omposting of city wastes is a legal requirement provided under the !unicipal
Solid Aaste !anagement ?!SA@ "ules *+++ for all municipal bodies in the
country. But neither the central nor the state governments have yet responded
to show any kind of preparedness for it, nor have they been able to grasp it as
an environmental and social good that requires official support which can
generate employment. -he !SA "ules *+++ requires that 7biodegradable
wastes shall be processed by composting, vermi$composting, anaerobic
digestion or any other appropriate biological processing for the stabilisation of
wastes8. -he specified deadline for setting up of waste processing and
disposal facilities was <, 3ecember *++< or earlier.
-he production and sale of city compost is not the primary function of city
administrations, but it will need to be privati&ed for optimum efficiency and
care. Several entrepreneurs have already entered the field and many compost
plants are in place, almost all on public land made available at a nominal cost.
-hese companies are willing to wait for the five to seven years payback on
their investment, but are facing tremendous problems of producing compost
from unsegregated wastes, and of marketing and distributing their product.
-he government is indifferent to the problems of these compost producers
?i.e. a working capital crunch because of highly seasonal demand@ and to
farmersR needs ?i.e., timely, easily accessible availability of affordable
compost@.
-he 1ertili&er 'ssociation of India, the leading lobby group for synthetic
fertili&ers, is focused on protecting the fertili&er producersR massive subsidies
?"s ,=*,2++ million annually@ for their chemical fertili&ers L subsidies from
which the farmers do not benefit. -his situation is increasingly coming under
national debate. Kust ,* per cent of this annual subsidy would meet the one$
time capital cost of city compost plants in IndiaRs =++ largest cities ?which
include cities with populations of over ,++,+++ people@ and would be able to
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 27
produce 2.> million tonnes a year of organic soil conditioners. Integrated plant
nutrient management ?I4/!@ would also reduce the foreign e(change burden
on the Indian e(chequer because bulk supplies of phosphorus and potassium
must be imported. In addition, the government of India spends "s =<.,B
million on phosphorus and potassium concessions alone. ?4hosphorous is
used to store and transfer energy within the plant. It is used in forming nucleic
acids ?3/', "/'@. 4otassium remains in tissues in ionic form and is not used
in the synthesis of new compounds as are nitrogen and phosphorous.
4otassium is mobile in plants and tends to move from older to younger, more
active growing tissue.@
#mphasi&ing I4/! using city compost, which can be produced all over the
country can be a successful strategy if a focused inter$ministerial effort is
made. )owever, in spite of the fact that the !inistry of 'griculture renamed its
3epartment of 1ertili&ers as the 73epartment of Integrated /utrient
!anagement8 a year ago, no policy changes have taken place whatsoever. '
proposed -ask 1orce including the agriculture and fertili&er ministries may
soon formulate an 'ction 4lan for I4/!.
-he real economic benefits of compost use, like improved soil quality, water
retention, biological activity, micronutrient content and improved pest
resistance of crops, are ignored by policy$makers and fertili&er producers.
1ertili&er producers do not yet reali&e that preventing soil depletion and
reclaiming degraded soils would in fact increase the si&e of the market and
therefore, also their market share, which is currently threatened by
globali&ation and world prices that undercut their own. Since most large
fertili&er plants are government$owned, another threat is the governmentRs
intended policy of closing down loss$making public$sector enterprises and
disinvesting from profitable ones.
4reliminary surveys on municipalities% preparedness in implementing the
!SA "ules *+++ show that the majority of the cities are yet to embark on
city$wide implementation of door$to$door collection of waste, source
segregation, composting of organics, recycling and creating engineered and
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 28
safe landfill sites for residual waste disposal. -he municipalities were given
three years time to make such preparations but most of them have not even
woken up. -his is the regard given to the ape( courtRs verdict. Ahether
municipalities will enforce the !SA "ules *+++ and provide cleaner and
healthier cities is yet to be seen. 1or now, the risk remains that !SA "ules
will become yet another policy to gather dust due to government apathy.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 29
SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENTD CASE STUDY OF
NAGPUR INDIA
In India the amount of waste generated per capita is estimated to increase at
a rate of ,S$,.<<S annually. It is estimated that the total waste quantity
generated in by the year *+=> would be appro(imately about *I+ million
tonnes per year. -he enormous increase in waste generation will have
impacts in terms of the land required for waste disposal. It is estimated that if
the waste is not disposed off in a more systematic manner, more than ,=++
sq. km of land would be required in the country by the year *+=> for its
disposal.
't present the standard of solid waste management is far from being
satisfactory. -he environmental and health ha&ards caused by the unsanitary
conditions in the cities were epitomi&ed by the episode of 4lague in Surat in
,BB=. -hat triggered public interest litigation in the Supreme ourt of India.
Based on the recommendations of the committee set up by the ape( court in
that 4ublic Interest Nitigation ?4IN@, the Government of India, has framed
!unicipal Solid Aaste ?!anagement and )andling@ "ules *+++, under the
#nvironmental 4rotection 'ct, ,BHI. One of the major requisite of these rules
is to establish door$to$door garbage collection system in the cities. /agpur
which is located in centre of India has taken initiative in implementing !SA
"ules *+++ by introducing ,++S door$to$door garbage collection. It has
enabled6
Nivelihood creation for ,I++ people from most deprived segment of the
society.
lean environment as >2S of the total waste generated is being
collected from
doorstep.
Successful 4ublic 4rivate 4eoples 4artnership
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 30
Qse of ergonomic tools for managing waste
Qse of appropriate technology for waste management, also creating
entrepreneurship opportunities.
#ffective recycling of waste for useful purposes.
4artnership of Aaste 4roducers
BACKGROUND
-here has been a significant increase in municipal solid waste ?!SA@
generation in India in the last few decades. -his is largely because of rapid
population growth and economic development in the country. -he per capita
of !SA generated daily in India ranges from about ,++ gm in small towns to
2++ gm in large towns. -he increased !SA generation can be ascribed to our
changing lifestyles, food habits and change in living standards. In India the
amount of waste generated per capita is estimated to increase at a rate of
,S$,.<<S annually. It is estimated that the total waste quantity generated in
by the year *+=> would be appro(imately about *I+ million tonnes per year,
more than five times the present level of about 22 million tonnes. -he
enormous increase in solid waste generation will have significant impacts in
terms of the land required for waste disposal. It is estimated that if the waste
is not disposed off in a more systematic manner, more than ,=++ sq. km of
land which is equivalent to the si&e of city of 3elhi would be required in the
country by the year *+=> for its disposal.
In our country municipal corporations are primarily responsible for solid waste
!anagement. But with the growing population and urbani&ation municipal
bodies are facing financial crunch and can no longer cope with the demands.
-he limited revenues earmarked for the municipalities make them ill equipped
to provide for high cost involved in the collection, storage, treatment and
proper disposal of waste. !unicipalities are only able to provide secondary
collection of waste, means they only collect waste from municipal bins or
depots. ' substantial part of the municipal solid waste generated remains
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 31
unattended and grows in the heaps at poorly maintained collection centers.
Open dumping of garbage facilitates breeding of disease vectors such as
flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats and other pests.
't present the standard of solid waste management is far from being
satisfactory. -he environmental and health ha&ards caused by the unsanitary
conditions in the cities were epitomi&ed by the episode of 4lague in Surat in
,BB=. -hat triggered public interest litigation in the Supreme ourt of India.
Based on the recommendations of the committee set up by the ape( court in
that 4ublic Interest Nitigation ?4IN@, the Government of India has framed
!unicipal Solid Aaste ?!anagement and )andling@ "ules *+++, under the
#nvironmental 4rotection 'ct, ,BHI. -he !unicipal Solid Aaste ?!anagement
and )andling@ "ules *+++ are as follows6
#. C(77,3$1() (/ .%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$,+" Organi&ing doorstep collection of
municipal solid waste from houses, hotels, restaurants, office comple(es
and commercial areas.
2. S,-0,-*$1() (/ .%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$,+" !unicipal authority shall
organi&e awareness programs for segregating the waste at source as dry
and wet waste and promote recycling or reuse of segregated materials.
<. S$(0*-, (/ .%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$," !unicipal authorities shall establish
and maintain storage facilities such that wastes stored are not e(posed to
open atmosphere and shall be aesthetically acceptable and user friendly
and it should have easy to operate design for handling, transfer and
transportation of waste.
E. T0*)+2(0$*$1() (/ .%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$,+" Cehicles used for
transportation of waste shall be covered and waste should not be visible to
public, nor e(posed to open environment and shall be so designed that
multiple handling of wastes prior to final disposal, is avoided.
F. P0(3,++1)- (/ .%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$,+" !unicipal authorities shall adopt
suitable -echnology or combination of such technologies to make use of
wastes so as to !inimi&e burden on landfill.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 32
G. D1+2(+*7 (/ .%)1312*7 +(71& >*+$," Nand filling shall be restricted to
nonbiodegradable, inert waste and other waste that are not suitable either
for recycling or for biological processing. Nand filling of mi(ed waste shall
be avoided unless the same is found unsuitable for waste processing.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 33
SWACHATA DOOT APLYA DARI: A SCIENTIFIC AND
INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT
's can be seen from the above guidelines, collection and segregation of
municipal solid waste is a primary requirement for implementation of !SA
"ules *+++. 4rimary collection of garbage is important to prevent littering of
waste on the streets. 's per the !SA guidelines, waste has to be collected in
segregated form so that it can be recycled to the e(tent possible by adoption
of suitable technology. -his recycling will minimise the burden on landfills.
-hough doorstep collection of segregated waste is important for municipal
solid waste management, it is not carried out by many of the municipal bodies
in the country as they are lacking in financial resources or the e(pertise to
comply with those rules and they often make little effort to revise outdated and
deficient waste management systems. 's the authorities were hardly able to
provide cost$efficient service to citi&ens, one possibility was to outsource solid
waste management by putting in charge professional private organi&ations
like entre for 3evelopment ommunication ?3@. -he key concept is a
daily door$to$door collection of segregated domestic waste, but the model
includes all aspects of solid waste management from waste generation to
waste processing ?e.g. recycling and vermi$composting@ and the final
disposal. -he end consumer is both main contributor and main beneficiary, as
he should segregate the waste instead of littering it and, in turn, profits from
the cleanliness of the city and creation of a new awareness that 3 work is
generating. 4resently the Swachta 3oot project is being successfully being
implemented in several cities of India.
-he Swachta 3oot 4roject is a major solid waste management program that
includes the following aspects6
'. 3aily door$to$door garbage collection
B. Aaste segregation
. Garbage lifting and -ransportation
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 34
3. #mployment Generation
#. 'wareness building
A. D*17' D((0"$("&((0 G*05*-, C(77,3$1()
3aily door$to$door garbage collection is the core of the 3 model. It is most
essential for complying with the norms prescribed by the !unicipal Solid
Aastes ?!anagement and )andling@ "ules, *+++ as well as the Supreme
ourt Guidelines for solid waste management.
S>*36$* D(($
"ag pickers and private sweepers who were previously working in the same
sector and spent their life at foul$smelling and most unhygienic places
rummaging through debris with bare hands and getting an uncertain and
irregular low payment for this dirty work are brought into organised sector by
3, and now called as Swachta 3oots
T0*1)1)-
Swachta 3oots undergo a special training that equips them with the abilities
necessary for their job6
)andling the waste in a proper and hygienic manner
4olite and helpful behaviour towards local residents
3iscipline, sincerity commitment to their work
-he properly trained workers collect the waste from households and shops
seven days a week and <I2 days a year. -his service is provided in the
morning time ?between I.++ am to ,.++ pm@. -hey wear colourful work clothes
?uniforms@ so that residents and shopkeepers can easily identify them.
-raining and neat public appearance helps the worker to be better accepted
by the community.
-he garbage is directly transported and unloaded to local containers ?transfer
stations@ using specially designed vehicles. -hose ontainers are brought to
landfill sites outside the city by municipal corporation workforce. -here is a
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 35
close cooperation between 3 and the municipal bodies so that waste is not
stored longer than necessary in residential areas. -his way of domestic waste
management is in compliance of !SA guidelines and
Guarantees that6
Aaste is handled only once
It is e(posed nowhere
-here is no need of burning the garbage or dumping it in streets, drains
and open places
EC%12.,)$
3 has developed a micro$plan to adopt waste collection to the special
conditions that prevail in different areas. 1or e(ample, in slum areas different
type of waste is produced than in posh colonies and the si&e of the streets is
varying. -o implement this microplan, 3 uses different types of vehicles.
Swachta 3oots collect the garbage with specially designed mechanical
tricycle
"ickshaws and multi bucket wheelbarrows. -hey have several advantages6
Aorkers can access even very narrow roads ?for e(ample in Slum
areas@
Segregated waste collection
-he waste can be directly unloaded in the container. It does not have to
be touched.
So, hygienic conditions for workers are improved.
3 follows a dynamic model of selection of equipment and modifies the
equipment according to the requirements of a particular locality, town or a city.
Eol!tion of "rimary Collection E#!ipment
*: O2,) B(&' T013'37, R139+6*>+:
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 36
-he open body tricycle rickshaw is the most basic primary collection
equipment and its capacity is about 2+ Dgs. Its benefits include low cost and
since it collects the mi(ed waste, it takes less time for waste collection from
individual households. -his type of equipment is no more in use as it collects
the waste in mi(ed form, which is in contravention of !SA "ules. 1urther the
collected waste is often dumped onto the ground or road and attracts rag
pickers to sort out the recyclable part of the waste, e(posing them to serious
health risks. 'dditionally, since the waste is transported open to atmosphere,
it is non$aesthetic and it is also observed that waste keeps spilling from the
sides of the rickshaw.
5: G C()$*1),0 T013'37, R139+6*>+:
In order to overcome some of the problems faced in the above model, 3
evolved a I$container tricycle rickshaw for primary collection of waste. -he
major advantages of this type of equipment is that it allows collection of waste
in segregated form and prevents multiple handling as the waste can be
directly unloaded to the secondary collection vehicle. 3ue to these reasons,
this type of equipment complies with the !SA guidelines. Its cost is a little
more than the open body tricycle rickshaw and can carry >2 kgs of waste in
one trip. -he only limitation with this type of equipment is that it led to frequent
thefts of plastic containers requiring their replacement. -his unnecessarily
adds to the costs.
T'2,+ (/ C()$*1),0+
Metal Containers 4lastic ontainers
)eavy, orrosive and #(pensive Night Aeight 5 3urable and /on$
orrosive
3: C7(+,& B(&' C()$*1),0 >1$6 2 3(.2*0$.,)$+:
In some of the areas, a new type of tricycle rickshaw has also been utilised
vi&. losed Body ontainer with * ompartments, which aids in segregated
collection of waste, and since itRs a closed body type the waste is not e(posed
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 37
to the atmosphere and therefore has aesthetic appearance. -his type of
equipment can carry ,2+ Dgs of waste and costs about "s. H+++F$, which is a
little more than I container type tricycle rickshaw. -he only limitation with this
equipment is that since the waste cannot be unloaded to the secondary
collection vehicle, it leads to multiple handling, which is in contravention to
!SA guidelines. -his type of equipment is highly suitable for smaller cities
where the waste can be directly transferred after collection to the landfill site.
&: C7(+,& T1221)- B(&1,+ >1$6 2 3()$*1),0+:
-o overcome the problem of multiple waste handling, a further improvement is
in the design of rickshaw has been incorporated, that includes hydraulic lifting
of the rear side of the rickshaw unto the height of secondary collection vehicle
so that the waste can be directly disposed off. -his type of equipment is most
e(pensive and requires more maintenance as compared to the earlier ones.
,: M,36*)1+,& A%$( R139+6*>+ >1$6 37(+,& 3()$*1),0 5(&' >1$6
3(.2*0$.,)$+:
In some cases 3 has deployed mechanised equipment in the form of 'uto
rickshaws for primary waste collection. -he benefits of this type of equipment
include high coverage area and can handle more waste. 1urther, since it has
a closed container body, it is aesthetic in appearance and can directly unload
the waste to final disposal point. -his type of equipment is most optimum for
smaller cities and towns as the overall economics is favourable as compared
to manually driven rickshaws.
/: M,36*)1+,& (2,0*$1()+ >1$6 M,&1%. U$171$' V,6137,+:
In line with the abovementioned mechanised operations, 3 has also
introduced medium utility vehicles for primary waste collection in some of its
projects. -he advantage of this type of system is that it can handle more
waste than auto rickshaws and is most ideal for bin$free cities. It fully complies
with the !SA guidelines and is aesthetic in appearance, as waste is not
e(posed in the open atmosphere. -he demerit is that it is more e(pensive
$oor-to-$oor %arbage Collection - &he Monitoring 'ystem
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 38
Supervisors and Xonal In$charges inspect the field everyday. -hey regularly
get in touch with households and shops to check for feedback, complaints and
suggestions so that a satisfying service can be maintained. -he 3
customer care service, telephone number is available from I.++ am till H.++
pm. In most cases complaints are redressed within <+ $ I+ minutes during
working hours, or the ne(t morning if problems arise outside working hours.
B. W*+$, S,-0,-*$1()
Aaste is not all the same. It has different characteristics according to which it
can be divided accordingly6
"ecyclable e.g. glass, paper, plastic
Organic e.g. food leftovers, garden waste
-o(ic e.g. tin, batteries
"eusable e.g. plastic bottles, polythene bags
Ahile recyclable waste is dry in nature, the organic kind is wet and ,++S
biodegradable. )ence, bacterial action is faster in the latter. If waste is
segregated, it is easier to handle, does not cause much pollution and can be
reused, recycled or decomposed. -he 3 model of waste management is
based on the principle of segregating waste and treating it according to its
characteristics. Aaste should be segregated at the place or source of origin.
In order to reali&e this concept 3, implements the following approach6
#ducating the community about waste characteristics and the
consequences of
inappropriate waste dumping
ollecting the waste in a segregated manner every day
Qsing specially designed multi$chambered rickshaws for garbage
collection
C. G*05*-, L1/$1)- *)& T0*)+2(0$*$1()
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 39
Since Kune *++=, 3 is also lifting the local containers and transporting
them to landfill sites in few cities. -his enables 3 to co$ordinate the
different processes of primary waste collection and transportation. ontainers
are lifted before they overflow and waste is not stored longer than necessary
in residential areas. 1urthermore, superfluous containers can be removed for
better public convenience.
D. E.27('.,)$ G,),0*$1()
's 3 is not a profit$oriented organi&ation, it is committed to improve quality
of life, especially for the deprived section of the society. 1or this reason, most
grassroots workers have been recruited from slum areas. 3 started its
work initially with few workers. -his number increased every day and now
3 could create livelihood for about I+++ persons in the Swachta 3oot
4roject. -he services have grown in various cities and presently 3 is
catering to a population of nearly I million.
-he following table highlights some of the current projects of 3 in various
cities including employment generated appro(imate quantity of waste
collected, utili&ed and finally transported as inert material to landfill sites.
ity )ousehold
overed
"oad
sweeping
#mployment
Generation
Aaste
collect
Organic
!atter
"ecycle
ontent
Inert
inorganic
Kaipur 2++++ ,2+ <++ ,++ I+ ,+ <+
/agpur =2++++ *++ *2++ B++ 2=+ B+ *>+
'hmedab
ad
<++++ <2 ,*2 I+ <I I ,H
Surat ,+++++ /.' ,++ *++ ,*+ *+ I+
3elhi *+++++ =2+ I*B ,*I /.' /.' /.'
Kaisalmer <+++ <+ <* './ './ './ './
/ote6 ,@ "ecyclable contents include paper, glass, plastic and metal
*@ 'll weight values are appro(imate values.
Introduction of door$to$door collection service has improved the financial
condition of Swachta 3oots who now receive regular payment as compared to
the earlier situation when they could earn low ?,*$,2F$per day@ and irregular
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 40
incomes. -hey are now enjoying dignified working conditions at 3, as their
profession is viewed with greater respect amongst society members
compared to their earlier work. 's both genders are treated equally the
number of women is almost as high as the number of male grassroots
workers. Aomen are given the chance to make an own contribution to the
living standard of their families. 'dditionally unemployed or underemployed
educated youth profit from these job opportunities as they are recruited as
!anagers and Supervisors.
E. A>*0,),++ B%17&1)-
It is 3Rs conviction that the cleanliness of city is a collective good. It can
only be achieved with the participation of all concerned. -herefore, 3
encourages and motivates people to keep their surroundings clean. -hey are
provided education regarding sanitation and garbage disposal through various
means of communication such as6
4osters, folders, booklets, leaflets
#(hibitions
Aall paintings
Niving society meetings
3ebates and painting competitions in schools
"egular talks with citi&ens
BENEFITS OF SWACHTA DOOT PROJECT
S(31*7
Improving social standard of Swachta 3oots by providing training and
financial stability
-he community is made aware of the consequences of unscientific
waste throwing and can participate actively
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 41
's the citi&ens are also involved in the project they develop a sense of
belongingness
4eople appreciate the service and consider it as necessary and
essential. -his makes the project self$sustainable
E3()(.13
ityRs image as a 7green and clean8 city can boost local economy
especially in tourism branch
reates new avenues of employment
omposting of organic matter and recycling of paper, glass, plastics
and metals yield productive outcomes and reduces burden on landfill
site
P%5713 H,*7$6 *)& L1/, A%*71$'
Aaste is handled in a hygienic and scientific manner, so no pollution is
caused at any stage
Garbage on the roads is tremendously reduced
3rains are no longer clogged with garbage L no smell, no breeding site
for malaria spreading mosquitoes, no meeting place for pigs and other
stray animals
Muality of life improves as the whole city looks clean and aesthetic -his
shows that the model is not only a convincing theoretical concept but
also a successful intervention in the field of !unicipal Solid Aaste
!anagement.
K,' H1-671-6$+
1irst project in India involving 3*3 collection of garbage from ,++S
households on all <I2 days.
-he only project on solid waste management in India to recruit
physically challenged persons. 't present there are <> such persons
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 42
working on this project and thereby earning livelihood for themselves
and their families.
/o dependence on e(ternal funding.
ommunity involvement on a large scale.
Aell$defined roles for /!, /GO and the community under the
scheme.
S$0*$,-' /(77(>,&
'll concerned stakeholders were consulted before finali&ing the
implementation plan.
I.27,.,)$*$1() 27*)
-he work of 3*3 collection of waste by YColunteerR begins at I.++ a.m.
daily.
#very household in the given group is attended daily.
-he doot goes around the demarcated households 5 announces his
arrival by blowing a whistle.
Ahen the cycle rickshaw is completely filled with waste, it is unloaded
in the nearby community dustbins. 'fter unloading, the volunteer
covers the remaining households.
3uring every unloading, the recyclable waste is separated by the
volunteer.
't no point of time, he does manual handling of the waste collected.
!onitoring indicators have been set in consultation with the /GO,
which have further ensured prompt implementation of the project, e.g.
households covered, timely complainant redressal, regular and
surprise filed visits, community feedback, etc. are monitored regularly.
RESULTS
B,),/1$+ $( NMC
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 43
Successfully implemented the Supreme ourt guidelines. Savings worth "s. 2
crores in terms of lower costs for providing 3*3 garbage collection service to
the citi&ens.
B,),/1$+ $( CDC 8NGO:
Other municipal corporations in India are adopting Swatchata 3oot model.
3 has assisted in preparation of policy in "ajasthan.
3Rs budget for the financial year *++<$+= was "s. 2< lakhs. 'fter being
appointed as implementer for this project, its financial credibility has escalated
to "s.,2 crores. !oreover, we have been appointed to implement similar
project in other cities of India.
1inancial institutions like Dotak !ahindra, III, -ata 1inance, etc. have come
forward to sponsor equipments required for 3*3 collection. -o date credit
worth "s., crore has been availed from these institutions.
/! has further reposed its confidence in 3 activities and has handed
over the responsibility of secondary transportation of !unicipal Solid Aaste
also to a joint venture involving 3. Improvement in sanitation.
B,),/1$+ $( C1$1H,)+
"egular 3*3 collection of garbage and active participation in the &ero
garbage drive.
Better and prompt service at minimum costs.
BIO MEDICAL WASTE
Solid waste generated from medical establishment needs to be handled very
carefully as these wastes may contain infectious material. -he hospital wastes
deserve special treatment and disposal unlike household waste. 3ifferent
types of solid waste are generated in hospitals, which need to be handled in
different ways. /owadays, hospital wastes are more e(plicitly termed as
health care unit waste. -hus, the hospital waste management system should
be operated very carefully and methodically to avoid serious consequences.
)ospital waste can be broadly classified into two types6
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 44
,@ Solid waste containing of materials likely to transmit infection, and
*@ Solid waste, which are normally safe to handle but may get infected as
they are produced in hospital premises.
Obviously, the first category waste needs very careful handling and disposal
while the waste of second category can be handled in normal manner with a
precaution that they are not mi(ed with the infectious material. In either case,
contact with wastes by the workers should be avoided 1urther classification of
hospital waste is as follows6
#: G,),0*7 >*+$,: -his includes domestic type of waste, packing material,
garbage from hospital kitchen and other waste material which do not
pose a special handling problem or ha&ards to human health and
environment.
2: H%.*) *)*$(.13*7 >*+$,+B 57((& 5(&' /7%1&+: -his includes waste
consisting of anatomical human tissues, organs, waste body parts, blood
fluids, blood and blood products and items saturated or dripping with
blood, body fluids contaminated with blood and body fluids removed
during F after treatment, surgery or autopsy or other medical procedures.
<: M130(51(7(-13*7 >*+$,+: Aastes from laboratory culture stocks or
specimens of micro$organisms, live or attenuated vaccines, human and
animal cell culture used in research and infectious agents from research
and industrial laboratories, waste from production of biological dishes
and devices used for transfer of cultures.
E: W*+$, +6*02+: Aastes consisting of sharps, such as needles scalpel,
blades, syringes, glass, etc. -hat may cause puncture.
F: H1-67' 1)/,3$1(%+ >*+$,: Aaste containing highly infectious living and
non$living pathogens.
G: I+(7*$,& >*+$,: Biological waste from material contaminated with blood,
e(certion e(udates or secretion from human and animals isolated due to
communicable disease.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 45
I: D1+3*0&,& .,&131),+: Aaste comprising of e(pired, contaminated and
discarded medicines.
J: D1+3*0&,& -7*++>*0,+: Aaste generated from glasswares and glass
equipment used.
!: S(17,& >*+$,: Aaste generated from soiled cotton, dressing, bedding,
etc.
#: D1+2(+*57, 8PVC/27*+$13+B 3*0&5(*0&+ K $6,0.(3(7:: Aastes
generated from disposable items other than the waste sharps.
##: B1($,36)(7(-' >*+$,+: Aastes generated from activities involving
genetically engineered organisms or products and their cultures not
declared to be safe.
#2: I)31),0*$1() >*+$,: 'sh generation from incineration of any bio$medical
waste.
#<: L1C%1& >*+$,: Aaste generated from laboratory and washing, cleaning,
housekeeping and disinfecting activities discharge into drains.
WASTE AUANTIFICATION
'ccording to A)O report, H2S of hospitals wastes are actually non$
ha&ardous. ,+ S are infectious and 2 S are non$infectious but ha&ardous.
TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
-here are five board categories of medical waste treatment technologies6
M,36*)13*7 20(3,++:
!echanical processes are used to change the physical from or
chacharcterisities of the waste either to facilitated waste handling or to
process the waste in conjunction with other treatement steps. -he two primary
mechanical processes are compaction and shredding.
T6,0.*7 20(3,++:
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 46
-hermal processes use heat to denotaminate or destroy medical waste. !ost
microorganisms are rapidly destroyed at temperatures ranging from =Bc to
B,c thermal treatment processes include the following
A%$(37*41)-: Steam sterili&ation ?autoclave@ systems are designed to
bring steam into direct contact with waste in a controlled manner and
for sufficient duration to kill pathogenic microorganisms that may be
contaminating the waste. -here are several different types and
designs of autoclave systems. Aithout full steam penetration and
contact into the most densely packed wastes, decontamination will not
be complete and sterili&ation cannot be achieved.
M130(>*41)-: One medical waste treatment process uses a
combination of shredding and !icrowaving. Aaste is loaded into the
system and shredded while being injected with steaming. 'n auger
conveyor past a series of magnetrons, or microwave generators
transports the shredded and steam$moistened waste. -he heat
generated in the waste by microwave radiation accomplishes
decontamination. Shredding also reportedly provides up to an H+S
volume reduction.
C6,.13*7 &1+1)/,3$1() 20(3,++,+: !ost medical waste treatment systems
use chlorine compounds, but other disinfectants, such as phenolic
compounds, iodine, alcohol, formaldehydes, etc. could also be used. !ost
chemical solutions are used as aqueous solutions. Aater is needed to bring
the chemicals and microorganisms together as necessary to achieve
inactivation.
I00*&1*$1() P0(3,++,+: Irradiation is synonymous with electromagnetic or
ioni&ing radiation. "ecently, irradiation processes, gamma radiation and
electron beam radiation, have been developed or considered for medical
waste treatment.
B1(7(-13*7 20(3,++:
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 47
' system is being developed using biological reactions will not only
decontaminate the waste but also cause the destruction of all the organic
constituents so that only plastics, glass, and other insert will remains in the
residues.
SELECTION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
In an infectious waste management system, several options are available
within each area of management. Options for treatment techniques for the
various types of infectious waste, types of treatment equipment, treatment
sites, and various waste handling practices all need to be carefully evaluated.
-he selection of available options at a facility depends upon a number of
factors such as the nature of the infectious waste, the quantity of infectious
waste generated, the availability of equipment for treatment on$site; regulatory
constraints, and cost considerations.
Since treatment methods vary with the waste type, the waste must be
evaluated and categori&ed with regard to its potential to cause disease. Such
characteristics as chemical conte(t, density, water content, bulk and so on,
are known to influence waste treatment decisions. 1or e(ample, many
facilities use a combination of techniques for the different components of the
infectious waste stream, such as stream sterili&ation for laboratory cultures
and incineration for pathological waste.
-he quantity of each category of infectious waste generated at the facility may
also influence the method of treatment. 3ecisions should be made on the
basis of the major components of the infectious waste stream.
'nother important factor in the selection of options for infectious waste
management is the availability of on$site and off$site treatment. Ahen
selecting an on$site treatment system, both the treatment technology and the
vendor providing the system should be carefully evaluated. 1or some
facilities, however off$site treatment may offer the most cost$effective option.
Off$site treatment alternatives include such options as crematories operated
by morticians, a shared treatment unit at another institution, and commercial
or community treatment facilities. It is also important to consider prevailing
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 48
community attitudes in such matter as site selection for off$site treatment
facilities.
ost considerations are the determining factor in the selection of infectious
waste management options. ost factors include personnel, equipment cost
?capital e(pense, annual operating, and maintenance@, handling costs ?for
infectious waste and the residue from treatment@, and, if applicable, service
fees for off$site treatment option.
-hus till now we saw that medical waste include waste from dentists,
morticians, veterinary clinic, home health care, blood banks, and private
practices, as well as hospitals and clinics. "egulated medical waste thus
includes cultures and stocks, pathological waste, human blood and blood
products, sharps, animal waste, isolation waste, and unused sharps.
hemotherapy waste should also be segregated from non$infectious waste.
Infectious waste should be packed and stored in a safe manner which will
protect waste handlers and the general public from possible injury andFor
disease that may result from e(posure to the waste.
-reatment methods substantially reduce or eliminate the potential for a waste
to spread disease. Incineration, autoclaving, microwave processing, chemical
disinfection, and irradiation systems are currently used to treat infectious
waste.
-hough we have so many waste disposal methods depending on the type of
waste yet hospitals generally have been slow to improve their handling and
disposing of the waste materials, which are increasing in quantity as a result
of more patients and higher per$patient waste loads.
Ahat the effect has been on health and safety has not been measured, but
without proper management, wastes containing contaminated materials,
dangerous chemicals, or discarded needles are a potential ha&ard to millions
of patients, health care workers, and visitors. 1urthermore, the health of entire
community can be jeopardi&ed if these wastes are temporarily but
inadequately stored outside the hospitals or thrown onto open dumps.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 49
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
-he improper management of bio$medical waste causes serious
environmental problems in terms of air, water and land pollution. -he nature of
pollutants can be classified into biological, chemical and radioactive. -here
are several legislations in India concerning environmental problems, which
are addressed in this website under the section of legislations. -he
radioactive waste generated as part of bio$medical waste is covered under the
'tomic 'ct. #nvironment problems can arise due to the mere generation of
bio$medical waste and from the process of handling, treatment and disposal.
'lthough pollution cannot be mitigated completely, it can be reduced to a
large e(tent. -his section deals with causes, ha&ards and steps to minimi&e
the ha&ard.
A10 P(77%$1()
'ir pollution can be caused in both indoors and outdoors. Biomedical waste
that generates air pollution is of three types $ Biological, hemical and
radioactive.
I)&((0 *10 2(77%$1(): 4athogens present in the waste can enter and remain in
the air in an institution for a long period in the form of spores or as pathogens
itself. -his can result in )ospital 'cquired Infections ?/osocomial infections@
or Occupational )ealth )a&ards. -he patients and their attendants also have
a chance of contracting infections caused due to pathogens or spores which
are air borne. )owever, there are very limited statistics available in this field.
-his is an area which requires research.
Indoor air pollution due to biologicals can be reduced by covering the waste
properly, routing the waste in such a way that shortest distance is used and
sensitive areas are avoided. Segregation of waste, pretreatment at source
etc., can also reduce this problem to a great e(tent. Sterili&ing the rooms will
also help in checking the indoor air pollution due to biologicals.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 50
I)&((0 *10 2(77%$1() 3*) *7+( 5, 3*%+,& &%, $(: 4oor ventilation6 -he
building design plays an important role in maintaining proper ventilation.
1aulty air conditioning also will result in poor circulation of air within the room
-he paints, carpets, furniture, equipment, etc., used in the rooms, can give out
volatile organic compounds ?CO@ Qse of chemicals6 3isinfectants, fumigants
etc., give out acidic or ha&ardous gases.
-he indoor air pollution caused due to the above chemicals or poor ventilation
can cause Sick Building Syndrome ?SBS@ to the employees. 4roper building
design and well$maintained air conditioners could reduce the SBS. hemicals
should be utili&ed as per prescribed norms. Over use of chemicals should be
avoided.
O%$&((0 *10 2(77%$1(): Outdoor air pollution can be caused by pathogens.
Ahen waste without pretreatment is being transported outside the institution,
or if it is dumped openly, pathogens can enter the atmosphere. -hese
pathogens can find their way to drinking water, food stuff, soil etc., and or
remain in the ambient air and cause diseases in animals and human beings.
4roper waste management practices can reduce this pollution to a large
e(tent.
hemical pollutants that cause outdoor air pollution have two major sources$
open burning and incinerators. Open burning of bio$medical waste is the most
harmful practice. -he presence of plastics and ha&ardous materials in the
waste will generate harmful gases such as o(ides of sulphur, o(ides of
nitrogen, carbon dio(ide etc., and suspended particulate matter. -hese when
inhaled can cause respiratory diseases. ertain organic gases such as
dio(ins and furans are carcinogenic.
Open burning of bio$medical waste should be strictly avoided. 4ollution
control devices should be used for technology produces to(ic emissions. -he
design parameters and maintenance of such treatment and disposal
technology should be as per the prescribed standards.
W*$,0 P(77%$1()
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 51
Bio$medical waste can cause water pollution. If the waste is dumped in low$
lying areas, or into lakes and water bodies, can cause severe water pollution.
-he liquid waste generated when let into sewers can also lead to water
pollution if not treated. ertain treatment or disposal options can also cause
water pollution. Aater pollution can either be caused due to biological,
chemicals or radioactive substances.
-he pathogens present in the waste can leach out and contaminate the
ground water or surface water. )armful chemicals present in bio$medical
waste such as heavy metals can also cause water pollution. 4oor landfilling
technology may cause water pollution in the form of leachates. #(cess
nutrient leachate such as nitrates and phosphates from landfills can cause a
phenomenon called eutrophication ?where surface of the water body develops
algal blooms@. Aater pollution can alter parameters such as p), BO3, 3O,
O3, etc. -here are instances where dio(ins are reported from water bodies
near incinerator plants. 3io(ins enter the water body from the air.
-he standards for effluent release from institutions should be maintained.
4roper waste management practices will reduce the water pollution
considerably. Incinerators should be sited away from water bodies. are
should be taken to have proper liners in landfills to avoid leachate from
entering water bodies.
R*&1(*3$14, ,//7%,)$
!any shipments of radioactive material are in liquid form. -he residues of
these shipments constitute the principal liquid radioactive waste requiring
handling and disposal. "adioactive waste in liquid form can come from
chemical or biological research, from body organ imaging, from
decontamination of radioactive spills, from patients urine and from scintillation
liquids used in radioimmunoassay. Qndoubtedly, this last source of liquid
waste produces the largest volume of liquid radioactive waste.
Cery low$level liquid radioactive waste is usually handled by direct dispersal in
the sewer system. )igher level radioactive waste, such as that generated in
radioiodine therapy, can be stored pending decay, followed by appropriate
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 52
radiation monitoring and subsequent dispersal in the sewer system. It is not
usually necessary to collect and confine patient waste. Qnder normal
circumstances, urine and faeces can be handled as nonradioactive waste so
long as the patientRs room is routinely monitored for radioactive
contamination.
In the case of contaminated liquid scintillation phosphorous, the to(icity of the
chemical matri( is probably more ha&ardous than its radioactivity. Indeed the
chemical to(icity of this material may preclude its direct disposal in the sewer
system. 1rom a practical standpoint, it is acceptable to identify a sink in the
laboratory as a waste receptacle if the daily disposal is restricted to ,++ kBq.
L*)& P(77%$1()
-he final disposal of all bio$medical waste is to the land. #ven liquid effluent
after treatment is spread on land. )ence, pollution caused to land is
inevitable. )owever, it can be minimi&ed to a large e(tent through proper
treatment. Open dumping of bio$medical waste is the greatest cause for land
pollution. Nandfilling is also harmful to a limited e(tent. Soil pollution from bio$
medical waste is caused due to infectious waste, discarded medicines,
chemicals used in treatment and ash and other waste generated during
treatment processes. )eavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury etc.,
which are present in the waste will get absorbed by plants and can then enter
the food chain. /itrates and phosphates present in leachates from landfills are
also pollutants. #(cessive amounts of trace nutrient elements and other
elements including heavy metals in soil are harmful to crops and are also
harmful to animals and human beings.
Neachate containing concentrated heavy metals and or microbes which is
released from landfills can lead to ground water and surface water pollution.
"adioactive waste generated from institutions can cause soil pollution.
adavers, protective clothing, absorbent paper generated in the nuclear
medicine imaging laboratory will also cause soil pollution.
!inimi&ing the waste and proper treatment before disposal on land are the
only ways of reducing this kind of pollution.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 53
H,*7$6 6*H*0&+:
'ccording to the A)O, the global life e(pectancy is increasing year after year.
)owever, deaths due to infectious disease are increasing. ' study conducted
by the A)O in ,BBI, reveals that more than 2+,+++ people die everyday from
infectious diseases. One of the causes for the increase in infectious diseases
is improper waste management. Blood, body fluids and body secretions which
are constituents of bio$medical waste harbour most of the viruses, bacteria
and parasites that cause infection. -his passes via a number of human
contacts, all of whom are potential YrecipientsR of the infection. )uman
Immunodeficiency Cirus ?)IC@ and hepatitis viruses spearhead an e(tensive
list of infections and diseases documented to have spread through bio$
medical waste. -uberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, tetanus,
whooping cough etc., are other common diseases spread due to improper
waste management.
O33%2*$1()*7 6,*7$6 6*H*0&+: -he health ha&ards due to improper waste
management can not only affect the occupants in institutions, but also spread
in the vicinity of the institutions. Occupational health concerns e(ist for
janitorial and laundry workers, nurses, emergency medical personnel, and
refuse workers. Injuries from sharps and e(posure to harmful chemical waste
and radioactive waste also causes health ha&ards to employees in institutions
generating bio$medical waste. -he problem of occupational health ha&ards
due to bio$medical waste is not publici&ed as there is lack of information.
)ence, the Bio$!edical Aaste ?!anagement and )andling@ "ules, *+++
prescribes a form under schedule CI to report such incidences in order to
develop a database. -here is plenty of scope for research in this field. 4roper
management of waste can solve the problem of occupational ha&ards to a
large e(tent.
H*H*0&+ $( $6, -,),0*7 2%57136 -he general publicRs health can also be
adversely affected by bio$medical waste. Improper practices such as dumping
of bio$medical waste in municipal dustbins, open spaces, water bodies etc.,
leads to the spread of diseases. #missions from incinerators and open
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 54
burning also leads to e(posure to harmful gases which can cause cancer and
respiratory diseases. #(posure to radioactive waste can in the waste stream
can also cause serious health ha&ards. 'n often$ignored area is the increase
of in$home healthcare activities. 'n increase in the number of diabetics who
inject themselves with insulin, home nurses taking care of terminally ill
patients etc., all generate bio$medical waste which can cause health ha&ards.
Bio$medical waste can cause health ha&ards to animals and birds. 4lastic
waste can choke animals which scavenge on openly dumped waste. Injuries
from sharps are a common feature affecting animals. )armful chemicals such
as dio(ins and furans can cause serious health ha&ards to animals and birds.
ertain heavy metals can affect the reproductive health of the animals
BIO"MEDICAL 8HANDLING K MANAGEMENT: RULES
-he ministry of environment 5 forests has issued draft rules for management
of bio$medical waste. -he following are some of the salient features of these
rules6
-he rules will apply to hospitals, nursing homes, veterinary institutions, animal
houses or slaughterhouses generating biomedical waste.
State government can notify authorities for the purpose of granting
authori&ation for collection , reception, storage, treatment and disposal
of bio$medical wastes, from
3irectorate of health services,
3irectorate of animal husbandry or veterinary services,
State pollution control boardsZcommittees, and municipal
authorities.
#very hospital, nursing home, veterinary institution, animal house
generating bio$medical waste need to install an appropriate facility in
the premises or shall set up a common facility within a period of nine
months from the date of commencement of these rules.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 55
'ny person generatingZhandling biomedical wastes or operating bio$
medical waste treatment facility, needs to make authori&ation from
appropriate authority.
' generator or an operator of biomedical waste facility needs to take all
measures necessary to prevent damages or adverse effects to the
environment. )e is also required to submit detailed information about
the types and quantities of bio$medical wastes collected or handled by
him. -his must be done every year.
'n authori&ed person handling any biomedical wastes needs to
segregate various categories of wastes as per classification specified
in the rules.
Aaste of different categories shall be segregated, stored, treated and
disposed as per procedure prescribed in rules.
-he authori&ed person needs to maintain records about the category of
waste generated, quantity, storage, transportation and treatment
details, which are subject to verification by appropriate authority.
STATUS SURVEYS OF MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
-he status of bio$medical waste management in different metropolitan cities
considered is6
D,761: 4B conducted surveys of II major hospitals in 3elhi, during may *H
to Kune ,H, ,BB> and from Kuly ,I to October *= ,BB>. it was found that ,B
hospitals have installed incinerator for treating their medical wastes, out of
which only ,, are with double chambers. 1urther *+ hospitals are in the
process of providing incineratorsF autoclave.
M%.5*1: !umbai has a large number medium to small si&ed hospitals and
clinics besides the large hospitals, which are run by the government, the
municipal corporation or private trust, all India institute of local self
government, !umbai has conducted a study to collect information on the
present practices of waste management in hospitals. It was found that only ,B
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 56
S of the large privates of hospitals use incinerators and some large private
hospitals make use of their waste like organs, tissues etc. segregation of
wastes is not practiced adopted in an organi&ed manner. 'lthough about =2 S
of the private hospitals claim to segregate the waste, it is not separated. It is
the from of ret rival of useful things like plastic bottles; card bo(es by the lower
staff. -here is no colour coding used for waste segregation.
B*)-7(0,: ' report on management of health care waste for bangolre city has
been prepared by !.S. "amaiah medical college, banglore. Out of IH health
care setting visited by the project team only B have incineration facilities
whereas ,, burn in open air. Segregation of waste sharps is done in only ,<
setting.
I)&(0,: 'verage quantity of bio$medical waste generated from the
government hospitals is ,.=< kgF dayF bed, while average quantity of
biomedical waste generated from private hospitals is ,.=B kgFdayFbed. -hus
private hospitals generated more quantity of bio$medical waste.
CASE STUDY
-he )induja foundation has established an ultramodern hospital and !edical
"esearch entre in !umbai in collaboration with !assachusettsRs general
hospital ?!G)@, Boston.
4.3.)induja /ational )ospital and !edical research centre is a charitable
institution, with a life span of =+ years. It assimilates the finest in medical and
surgical talent and technique to bring them closer to common man. -his
dream was nurtured in heart of great founder !r. 4armanand 3eepchand
)induja.
-he hospital stands today as a concrete testimony to the fulfillment of the
founders dream. Nocated on the busiest artery in central !umbai, this is a ,I
storeyed fully air conditioned building. It has an inpatient capacity of <<2 beds
inclusive of => critical care beds in different specialties. -he inpatient services
are complemented by an outpatients department centrally air conditioned
building which houses doctors consulting rooms and diagnostic services. -he
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 57
hospitals offers e(pertise in various specialties to include ardiology,
/eurology, 4heumatology #ndocrinology, #/-, General medicine and General
surgery, etc. e(cept the !aternity department.
-he hospital management and professionals lay emphasis on quality. )ospital
has well qualified and dedicated professionals, medical and paramedical staff
who are regularly trained to further enhance their skills.
It has a separate waste management department, which manages its waste in
the following manner6
-his hospital has a manpower of more than ,2++.-he waste is segregated at
source. #very room and department in the hospital are provided with four
different colours of bags in which wastes are collected depending on their
density of infection.
-he description of wastes collected according to the colour bags as done in
this hospital is given below6
R,&: Aaste, which is highly infecting are collected in these bags, such as )IC
affected patient waste, soiled waste etc. -hen these bags are sealed and
disposed to the hospital laundry. -here they are separately washed to make
them free of infectious microorganisms. -hen they are mi(ed with general lot
washed and then can be reused.
G0,,): 'll the waste which can be recycled or reused are collected in this bag
and sometimes sold as scrap. #(ample6 plastic containers, which can fetch
some revenue. -hey are sold as scrap after a pre$disposal treatment.
Y,77(>: 'll the waste, which is highly infectious, is collected in such bags.
Aastes such as bandages, body fluids, etc. are collected and then incinerated
in the campus itself. -he hospital has an in$house incinerator. Such waste is
almost half a kg. per bed.
B7*39: 'll the administrative waste is collected in these bags. Aaste such as
paper, paper products etc. are collected. -hese bags are than handed over to
the B! agents. -here is a special vehicle, which collects these wastes twice
a day. 'lmost one and a half$ton of such waste are collected everyday.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 58
'll other types of waste such as waste sharps, needles, syringes are
incinerated as and when collected.
Once the waste is segregated and sealed in their respective bags no person
from house keeping department touches it. It directly goes in the disposal
system. Aith such perfection in waste management system this hospital faces
no difficulty of any kind. -o add to it the outlet of the incinerator goes right up
towards the sky above the ,I floors in the atmosphere not affecting the
residents in the locality.
's an endorsement of the quality services the hospital has been awarded the
ISO$B++* certification award from D#!' of /etherlands for quality
management systems.
So with such an efficient waste management system hospitals shouldnRt face
any difficulty in disposing of any type of waste. But this is not possible in all
types of hospitals. )ospitals, which have sources, can afford it, but a hospital
run by government or trustees face certain difficulties. -hey have inadequate
methods or rather knowledge about disposing of their waste, which may lead
to unethical disposal causing harm to human beings and above all our
environment.
-o avoid this the government has taken certain steps, which makes every
hospital of India to adopt an efficient waste management system. Our team
members through certain doctors collected these facts. Ae are listing some of
them in this report.
Government of India passed an act in the year ,BBI giving specifications
regarding disposal of solid waste in hospitals.
-his act was amended in year ,BBH and it was passed in Kuly ,BBH. -his act
gave notification from the ministry of environment and forests notifying the
rules for the management and handling of the bio$medical waste. -he rules
were called as the Bio$!edical Aaste ?!anagement and )andling@
"ules.,BBH. -hey came into force on the date of publication of the office
ga&ette. -he rules applied to all the persons who generate, collect, receive,
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 59
store, transport, treat, dispose, or handle bio$medical waste in any form. -his
act gave various specifications regarding some terms, duties of various
people involved in this field, types of waste and their disposal systems,
prescribed authorities and certain standards for treatment and disposal of the
bio$medical waste. #(ample6 the act e(plained segregation, packaging,
transportation and storage of the bio$medical waste. the act gave standards
for incineration, autoclaving, deep burial, etc. this act also specified treatment
for the waste resulting of incineration, autoclaving, microwaving.
-he Bureau of Indian Standards gave 7Indian Standard Solid Aastes$
)ospitals$ Guidelines for !anagement8 in the year ,BHB.these guidelines
gave specific grades for the terms involved in medical waste management.
-hese grades are recogni&ed in the whole country.
E(ample: standards are given for types of solid waste, their ha&ards to
human health and environment, transportation and disposal along with air
pollution control due to incineration, auto$claving, etc.
In the same manner the central pollution board has also given #nvironmental
Standards and Guidelines for !anagement of )ospital Aaste. Nike other acts
these guidelines also specified ways of disposal, types of wastes, etc.
-o add to this list government gave some easy ways for disposing medical
waste in private nursing homes and small hospitals.
W*+$,+ are produced in every walk of life. )otels, hospitals, industries, and
so forth. 'll produce huge amounts of waste which vary in intensity of being
harmful to the environment. 4eople go to hotels out of their will but people
going to hospitals do so because of sufferings and illness. )otels therefore
produce waste, which are not very harmful, but hospitals produce waste,
which need special mention because they are ha&ardous in nature. -he waste
generated in hospitals and hotels is increasing day by day due to the
increasing population and their ever increasing needs.
)ospital waste can spread infection, which may affect the entire population
and this may lead in spreading dangerous diseases.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 60
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
W6*$ >*+$, .*)*-,.,)$ 20*3$13,+ &(,+ '(%0 1)+$1$%$1() 2,0/(0.=
S(%03,+ (/ $6, >*+$, 3(77,3$1() 1+ 2,0/(0.,&
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 61
W6136 -,(-0*2613*7 *0,*+ *0, 3(4,0,& 5' '(%0 1)+$1$%$1() >1$6 0,-*0& $(
$6, >*+$, .*)*-,.,)$ 20*3$13,+=
T($*7 +1H, (/ $6, -,(-0*2613*7 *0,* 3(4,0,& 5' '(%0 1)+$1$%$, 1) >*+$,
.*)*-,.,)$ 20*3$13,+=
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 62
P(2%7*$1() (/ $6, -,(-0*2613*7 *0,* 3(4,0,& *220(?1.*$,7'.
W6*$ *0, $6, ,C%12.,)$+ %+,& 1) >*+$, 3(77,3$1() 20(3,++=
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 63
W6*$ 91)& (/ 3()$*1),0+ 5,,) %+,& 1) >*+$, 3(77,3$1()=
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 64
C6*2$,0 L E
CONCLUSION K RECOMMENDATIONS
-he agricultural 'ct ,B=> defines 7agricultural8 as including
)orticultural, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, livestock
breeding and keeping
-he use of land as gra&ing land, meadow land, osier land, market
garden and nursery ground
-he use of land for woodlands where that use is ancillary to the farming
or land for other agricultural purpose and agricultural shall be
construed accordingly.
'gricultural waste is any substance or object from premises used for
agriculture or horticulture, which the holder discards, intends to discard
or is required to discard. It is waste specifically generated by
agricultural activities.
'gricultural waste is composed of organic wastes ?animal e(crete in
the form of slurries and farmyard manures, spent mushroom compost,
soiled water and silage effluent@.
CATEGORIES OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE
-here are two types of agricultural waste. One consists of e(cess
fertili&er that filters down through the soil and contaminates
groundwater. -he other is a result of animal waste.
Include /atural waste ?organic@ 6
,. 'nimals ?e(p6 organic farming@
*. 4lants ?e(p6 palm oil@
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 65
EXAMPLES OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE
Cehicle and machinery waste6 'ntifree&e, batteries, brake pads, oil
filters, tyres, redundant vehicles and machinery, hydraulic oils,
engineFgearFlubricating oils and waste fuels.
Building waste6 4lasterboard, gypsum, bricks, concrete, wood, glass,
metal, soils, stone, tiles, asbestos and roof and wall sheeting.
/on$packaging plastic6 Bale twine, net wrap, tree guards, cores for
silage wrap, greenhouse and tunnel film, mulch film, crop cover,
fleeces, horticultural plastics and silage plastic.
'nimal health products6 'nimal health treatments, swabs and
dressings ?used and unused@, used sheep dip, syringes ?used and
unused@ and medicines.
4lastic packaging6 1eed bags, animal$health packaging, fertiliser bags,
agrochemical containers, seed bags, feed bags and general plastic
packaging.
ardboard and paper6 4ackaging, feed bags, cores for silage wrap,
seed bags and silage wrap bo(es.
!etal, wood, glass and rubber6 )edge trimmings, tree prunings, oil
drums, scrap wood ?eg fence posts@, paint tins, sawdust, wood
shavings, pallets, aerosols, animal$health glass, empty gas cylinders,
agrochemical containers and wire.
HA@ARDOUS WASTE
)a&ardous waste is waste that may be harmful to human health or the
environment.
-hese are known as ha&ardous waste 6
'll types of asbestos $ 'sbestos fibres are very harmful to human
health and do not break down easily in the environment. 'sbestos
is found in many buildings built or refurbished before ,BBB.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 66
'sbestos removal work must be carried out by a licensed or a
trained contractor. 0ou must dispose of asbestos waste correctly.
'nimal health products $ Aaste medicines, medicine containers and
other veterinary waste such as dressings and syringes are classed
as ha&ardous waste.
ANOTHER HA@ARDOUS WASTE
1luorescent light tubes $ Gas discharge lamps or strip lights contain
mercury. -his needs to be recovered at a waste treatment facility
before the lamps can be disposed of.
Nead$acid batteries $ Batteries contain harmful substances. 0ou should
return waste batteries to the producer, or to a producer of similar
batteries, for recycling.
hemical wastes $ 0ou must check if your waste chemicals are classed
as ha&ardous waste. -he containers that you store ha&ardous waste
chemcials in will also be classed as ha&ardous waste. #(amples
include disinfectants
Aaste oils $ Aaste oils, eg waste lubrication oil from machinery can
cause pollution to land and water. #dible oils and oils of plant or animal
origin are usually not classed as ha&ardous waste.
4esticides ?eg herbicides, insecticides and fungicides@ $ 'ny waste
pesticides and pesticide containers are likely to be ha&ardous waste.
Solvents $ Solvents can damage human health, contaminate soils and
pollute water. -hey are also often highly flammable. Solvents are
commonly used in degreasing agents and paint thinners.
SOME AGRICULTURAL WASTE DISPOSAL OR STORAGE TIPS
,. Only burn agricultural waste or Tplant tissueT if you have prior consent from
#4' ?#nvironmental 4rotection 'gency@.
*. "educe, re$use and recycle farm waste, if possible segregate plastic bags
and wrapping materials. ollect and store agricultural waste plastic
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 67
straight after use and contact an approved plastic$recycling scheme if the
plastic is deemed no longer usable on farm. 0ou should be able to find a
local collector by contacting your local council.
<. Deep all out buildings farm steadings and farmlands clean and tidy and
free. "emove unsightly litter from farming activity, especially used
agricultural plastics, scrap and containers.
=. Store agricultural waste securely, thus reducing environmental damage
and any risk to human health, and e(cellent way of doing this is with a
specially designed agricultural recycling bin.
2. !onitor water use carefully to minimise leakage or wastage, especially
where any seepage is increasing levels of agricultural waste production
?for e(ample slurry build up@
I. Burn oil waste in any appliance once prior authorisation has been granted
by #4' for burning this troublesome waste by product.
>. "ecycle waste oil, lubricants, scrap metals and plastics and tyres as some
of these will become to(ic and ha&ardous over time
H. If possible sort your agricultural waste into categories for e(ample string,
net, fertiliser bags, cardboard and paper, buckets and containers, feed
bags, silage waste.
B. Separate into ha&ardous and no ha&ardous waste some materials are
to(ic and should be handled with e(treme care. If ever in doubt ?OS)) $
control of substances ha&ardous to health@ guidelines should be available
on request from your product supplier this is their legal responsibility.
BENEFIT FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE
"educe indiscriminate disposal or burning of waste products which
cause both soil, water and air pollution.
an maintaining the fertility of the soil
onversion of all forms of vegetable and animal waste into organic
matter suitable for the needs of the growing crop.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 68
-o reduce the dependence on chemicals and to move towards more
natural and healthier methods of food production
an help the farmer to increase their sosio$economic and also country
income
'ble to reduce the cost of animal feeding
1or productive use
-o ensure the success of the project, environmental and economic gain
for the country
CONVERTION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE INTO USEFUL
PURPOSE
-o manage agricultural biomass and convert it into a resource
-o generate money from the recovered resources
SALIENT FEATURES
"enewable
3isplace fossil fuels
"educe G)G emissions
'dded income
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 69
CLASSIFICATION
C0(2 W*+$,
oconut 1ronds, husk, shell
offee )ull, husk, ground
"ice, wheat )ullFhusk, straw, stalks
Sugarcane Bagasse
otton stalks
4eanuts Shells
!i(ed type 'gricultural crops and $waste
'gricultural rops !i(ed agricultural crops, not limited to crop $ waste
orn stalks, leaves
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!#
AGRICULTURA
L
WASTE
MAJOR MINOR
CROP
RESIDUES
ANIMAL
LITTERS
FERTILIZER
S
MACHINES
70
PROCESS DETAILS
RICE
rop 6'lfalfa, orn, "ice 5poultry litter
"esidue 6 Straw, "esidues
4rocess 6 ombustion
#quipment6 Boiler, onveyor, 1urnace, ondenser, -urbine
!ain 4roduct6 #lectricity
SUGAR CANE
rop 6Sugar cane
"esidue 6 Bagasse and leaf
4rocess 6 Gasification
#quipment 6 Gasification system
!ain 4roduct 6 )eat and Steam
CORN
rop 6 orn, garden and tree trimmings etc.
"esidue 6 orn cobs and Stover, trimmings
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 71
4rocess 6 1lash arboni&ation
#quipment 6 -ransportable reactor system
!ain 4roduct 6 arbon and electricity
WHEAT
rop 6 Aheat, oats and barley
"esidue 6)ullFhusk, straw, stalks
4rocess 6ombustion
#quipment 6 Biomass Boilers
!ain 4roduct 6 )eat and steam
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 72
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Baines Kames, Buckenham Brigid, ase Study Summary "eport, )ost
ommunities6 Siting and effects of host community e(perience of "edvale
Nandfill ?'uckland "egion@
entral 4ollution ontrol Board, ' support !anual for !unicipal Solid Aaste
?!anagement and )andling@ rules, *+++
ity 3evelopment Strategy for 'hmedabad
3r. "ay ./, *++*, Solid Aaste !anagement in 'hmedabad, Aorking 4aper
no. $ *,, School of 4lanning, #4-, 'hmedabad
)anrahan 3avid, Srivastava Sanjay, "amakrishna '. Sita, *++I, Aorld Bank,
Improving !anagement of !unicipal Solid Aaste in India, Overview and
hallenges
I4#,##, -raining !odule *++I$+>, "egional 'pproach for 3isposal of
!unicipal Solid Aaste in India
I4#, !anagement of Solid Aaste in Indian ities, 3raft "eport
Drishna "adha, !arch ,2, *++I, 3own to #arth, Aaste an 1uel Savings In
Aaste Industry
!ahadevia 3arshini, 4athak !anish, *++2,Nocal government led Solid Aaste
!anagement in a !etropolis $)yderabad$Secunderabad, Aorking 4aper no.$
<=, School of 4lanning, #4-, 'hmedabad.
PGP/FW/2!"## DF/!/##"M"2!# 73