Solid Waste Management
From Swikipedia
Introduction
Increasing urbanization and consequent rise in the generation of solid wastes in cities has made solid waste management an important area of concern. The overall goal of urban solid waste management is to collect, treat and dispose off solid wastes generated by all urban population groups in an environmentally and socially satisfactory manner using the most economical means available.
Brief Description
Basics steps in managing wastes:
1. Waste Minimization: The first and foremost step in managing of wastes is to avoid using materials which would harm the environment, such as non-recyclable plastics, hazardous and toxic wastes etc and ensure that we generate least possible waste. Some strategies are enlisted below:
a. Use material that can minimize waste generation, such as, use cloth for cleaning instead of tissue paper or use cloth / jute bags for shopping instead of plastic bags.
b. Minimize the use of packaged goods and disposable items, such as paper plates, paper cups, paper napkins, plastics etc.
c. Purchase refillable items to avoid packaging material.
d. Use containers that can be washed and reused to store things rather than disposable ones.
e. Use rechargeable batteries, as the disposal of non-rechargeable batteries in landfills can result in contamination of groundwater.
2. Waste Segregation: The next stage in waste management is the segregation of collected waste for recycling and recovery of useful products. For efficient resource recovery and appropriate treatment of each section of the waste, segregation of waste at source is essential. This can be achieved through multi-bin system at every waste generation source. Local authorities should provide different coloured bins for different categories of wastes. Use green coloured bins for biodegradable wastes, red for non-biodegradable, and blue for recyclable bins.
3. Resource Recovery or Recycling: Explore the possibility of recycling items that can not be reused. Avoid disposing paper and cardboard wastes along with other organic wastes such as vegetable and food wastes items. Facilitate recycling of these items through the local person engaged in these activities.
4. Processing of Wastes: The waste left over after the removal of fraction for recycling can be processed by the appropriate technology such as landfilling, composting, anaerobic degradation, or thermal decomposition.
5. Estimation of Energy Generation Potential from Wastes: Energy generation depends on the following factors of solid wastes – Size, Moisture content, Density, Fixed Carbon, Volatile Solids, and Calorific value.
References:
The Energy and Resources Institute. Sustainable Building Design Manual, Volume 2. p.p 47-66.
