SOLID WASTE MANAGEMEMT IN INDUSTRIES AND RURAL AREAS INDUSTRIAL SOLID WASTE

The major generators of industrial solid wastes are the thermal power plants producing coal ash, the integrated Iron and Steel mills producing blast furnace slag and steel melting slag, nonferrous industries like aluminum, zinc and copper producing red mud and tailings, sugar industries generating press mud, pulp and paper industries producing lime and fertilizer and allied industries producing gypsum.

Sources of Industrial Solid Waste: Iron and Steel Industry - Blast Furnace Slag Caustic Soda Industry - Brine Mud Coal based thermal power plants Flyash Cement Plant - Kiln Dust Sugar, paper Industry - Lime sludge Phosphogypsum Phosphoric acid plant

Causes of Industrial Solid Waste:

Assessment of industrial solid waste management problem greatly varies depending on the nature of the industry, their location and mode of disposal of waste. Further, for arriving at an appropriate solution for better management of industrial solid waste, assessment of nature of waste generated is also essential The following problems are generally encountered in cities and towns while dealing with industrial solid waste There are no specific disposal sites where industries can dispose their waste;
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 Mostly, industries generating solid waste in city and town limits are of small scale nature and even do not seek consents of SPCBs/PCCs Industries are located in non-conforming areas and as a result they cause water and air pollution problems besides disposing solid waste. Industrial estates located in city limits do not have adequate facilities so that industries can organize their collection, treatment and disposal of liquid and solid waste There is no regular interaction between urban local bodies and SPCBs/PCCs to deal such issues relating to treatment and disposal of waste and issuance of licenses in non-conforming areas.
Effects of Industrial Solid Waste: The solid waste generated from industrial sources contains a large number of chemicals, some of which are toxic. The waste is considered toxic, if the concentration of the ingredients exceeds a specified value. Although the levels of some ingredients may occasionally exceed the permissible level, the waste as such is considered to be toxic only if the average value of ingredients exceeds the toxicity level. Various criteria and tests have been devised by different agencies to determine the toxicity of a given substance. It is necessary to know the properties of the waste so as to assess whether its uncontrolled release to the environment would lead to toxic effects on humans or other living organism in ecosystem. This evaluation is carried out using criteria such as toxicity, phytotoxicity, genetic activity and bio-concentration. The potential toxic effects also depend on quantity of the toxic constituents. Substances are classified as hazardous or otherwise depending on the dose, exposure, and duration of exposure. For a chemical to affect human health it must come in contact with or enter the human body. There are several ways in which this can happen. Skin contact: Chemicals that cause dermatitis usually do so through direct contact with skin. Some chemicals like corrosive acids can damage the skin by a single contact while others, like organic solvent, may cause damage by repeated exposure.

Inhalation: Inhalation is the most common source of workplace exposure to chemicals and the most difficult to control. Air pollutants can directly damage respiratory tract or gets absorbed through lung and cause system/systemic effects. An adult male will breathe about 10 cubic meters of air during a normal working day. Ingestion: Ground water and sub soil water contamination from leachates from refuse dumps and poorly managed landfill sites can result in ingestion of toxic chemicals by population groups who live far away from the factory sites and decades after the garbage has been dumped. There are very few studies conducted in India on specific health problems resulting from accidental exposure to toxic industrial solid waste. There had been reports that sacks, cardboard cartons and paper envelopes contaminated with chemicals packed in them were burnt and the irritating fumes from these caused respiratory problems. There had also been reports of skin or respiratory irritation following exposure to corrosives chemicals. There have been no efforts to systematically investigate and obtain reliable epidemiological data on health consequences of exposure to hazardous industrial wastes in different States. Wastes from slaughter house are potentially infectious. All precautions to ensure that potential pathogens to not gain a foot hold in the workers in the slaughterhouse and in the general population, have to be taken during collection, storage and disposal of the slaughter house waste. Wastes from non hazardous industries can at times produce health problems ,not only among the workers and handlers of waste, but also among general population. One example of this category is the cotton dust. Cotton waste are generally non-hazardous; however they may, in susceptible individuals provoke respiratory allergic reactions; allergy may be due to inhalation of dust containing cotton wastes or fungus or other contaminants in the waste dust.

WASTE MANAGEMENT APPROACH Inventory Management and Improved Operations

Inventorisation and tracing of all raw materials Purchasing of fewer toxic and more non-toxic production materials Implementation of employees training and management feedback Improving material receiving, storage, and handling practices
Modification of Equipment

Installation of equipment that produce minimal or no wastes Modification of equipment to enhance recovery or recycling options Redesigning of equipment or production lines to produce less waste Improving operating efficiency of equipment Maintaining strict preventive maintenance programmers
Production Process Changes

Substitution of non-hazardous for hazardous raw materials Segregation of wastes by type for recovery Elimination of sources of leaks and spills Separation of hazardous from non-hazardous wastes Redesigning or reformulation for products to be less hazardous Optimization of reactions and raw material use.
Recycling and Reuse

Installation of closed-loop systems Recycling off site for use Exchange of wastes.

Application of Waste Flyash - Cement Blast Furnace Slag Cement Gypsum Tiles, Plaster Board Lime sludge - Brick/binder Red mud Construction Blocks

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN RURAL AREAS

In India especially in rural areas, waste is a severe threat to the public health concern and cleanliness. In India especially in rural areas, waste is a severe threat to the public health concern and cleanliness. Though, the form of waste generated in rural areas is predominantly organic and biodegradable yet becoming a major problem to the overall sustainability of the ecological balance. For e.g. it is estimated that rural people in India are generating solid waste (organic/recyclable) 0.3 to 0.4 million metric tons per day respectively. (Solid and liquid waste Management in Rural India : A Technical Note, Unicef). Solid waste: Any waste other than human excreta, urine & waste water, is called solid waste. Solid waste in rural areas generally includes-house sweeping, kitchen waste, garden waste, cattle dung & waste from cattle sheds, agro waste, broken glass, metal, waste paper, plastic, cloths, rubber, waste from markets & shopping areas, hotels, etc. Solid waste can also be defined as the organic and inorganic waste materials produced by households, commercial & industrial establishments that have no economic value to the owner. As per biodegradability, solid waste can be classified as: Biodegradable: Waste that are completely decomposed by biological processes either in presence or in absence of air are called biodegradable. e.g. kitchen waste, animal dung, agricultural waste etc

 Non-biodegradable: Waste which cannot be decomposed by biological processes is called non biodegradable waste. These are of two types: Recyclable: waste having economic values but destined for disposal can be recovered and reused along with their energy value. e.g. plastic, paper, old cloth etc Non-recyclable: Waste which do not have economic value of recovery e.g. tetra packs, carbon paper, thermo coal etc. Solid waste may be classified as bio degradable and non biodegradable. Waste which can be decomposed by biological processes is known as Biodegradable waste. Organic waste is biodegradable and recyclable. Biodegradable waste can be decomposed in two ways viz. Aerobic decomposition: Such decomposition process takes place in the presence of air. In this process aerobic bacteria act on the complex organic matter and break it down into nutrients. In this process primarily carbon-dioxide is produced. Anaerobic decomposition: Such decomposition process takes place in the absence of air. In this process, anaerobic bacteria act on the complex organic matter and break it down into nutrients. In this process primarily methane and carbon-dioxide gases are produce. Biodegradable and recyclable Recyclable Plastics carry bags, milk covers PVC pipes etc. Syringes, Glucose bottles etc. Cotton and nylon cloth Tyres & Tubes Shampoo Bottles Glass Books/notebook Non-recyclable Non-biodegradable

Kitchen waste Food Cow dung/animal waste Agricultural Leaves Egg cells Henna paste Vegetable Peels, meat, bones Dead animals

Nitrogen sealed packing for chips Tetra packs Thermo cal Carbon paper Plastic coated visiting cards Sachets Modern packing materials (plastic) for
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Paper Wood

Wires Caps of mineral water bottles Plastic Tin can Metal Ash/dirt

food packing PET mineral water bottles

EFFECT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Health impacts of solid waste: Unattended waste lying around attracts flies, rats, and other creatures that in turn spread disease. Normally it is the wet waste that decomposes and releases a bad odour. This leads to unhygienic conditions and thereby to a rise in the health problems Chronic: diseases Incineration operators are at risk of chronic respiratory diseases, including cancers resulting from exposure to dust and hazardous compounds Accidents: Bone and muscle disorders resulting from the handling of heavy containers. Infecting wounds resulting from contact with sharp objects. Poisoning and chemical burns resulting from contact with small amounts of hazardous chemical waste mixed with general waste. Source Adapted from UNEP report, 1996 The group at risk from the unscientific disposal of solid waste include the population in areas where there is no proper waste disposal method, especially the pre-school children; waste workers; and workers in facilities producing toxic and infectious material Social and economic problems: People can get seriously sick from badly managed waste problems. If they have to leave the community to spend time in hospital, the patient and their families can be badly affected by the separation. If waste is managed well, the cost of fixing problems does not become a burden Pests and disease: Food waste attracts pests and vermin, like feral pigs and rats. These pests and vermin can start or spread disease in the community. Piles of old garden waste and pieces of old
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furniture left in yards can shelter vermin and help them to breed. Dengue fever can be spread by mosquitoes that breed in anything that can hold water, like inside old car tyres, litter and even old palm fronds lying on the ground. Poison and pollution: Illegally dumped pesticides, motor oil and other chemicals can

contaminate land, creeks, and water supplies. People drinking or swimming in polluted water can get sick. Councils are required by law to clean up land contaminated with chemicals that they dispose of. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Recycling of Papers: It is possible to convert waste paper into useful recyclable product. Making pulp from waste paper is an old art. The process has now been refined. Various articles including showpieces may be made using the pulp. The articles are so sturdy that they can be an alternative to wood to some extent. Hence it is also called Pepwood. Recycling of Plastics: In all types of solid waste in rural areas, plastics have become a major cause of concern due to: Non-biodegradability and Nuisance value in waste stream and blockage of drainage channels Pollution of surface water Random burning here and there causing air pollution problem There is no proper collection or disposal system of plastic waste. Landfill
In spite of composting, re-use and recycling, some waste remains untreated/unmanaged which requires final disposal, either by incineration or by land filling.

Incineration is a technology where waste is burnt in a specially engineered machine called Incinerator. Incineration is not simply burning, but complete combustion. Incinerators are considered to be causes of air pollution. This is not a viable option for waste management.

A landfill is a properly designated area and used for the disposal of non-biodegradable and nonrecyclable inorganic solid waste. Landfill is considered to be a viable option. SOME SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Zero Waste Management in Vellore, Tamil Nadu ZWM is a system of managing solid wastes that strives for maximum waste recovery through recycling and reuse, aiming at zero waste generation. The systems strength lies in segregation of waste at the source leading to maximum recovery of resources, minimization of waste and reduction in area required for storing and composting It minimizes pollution of ground water and air by doing away with disposal of wastes at dumpsites and landfills Zero waste management integrates the informal recycling sector (ragpickers and waste collectors) into the solid waste management system providing opportunities for income generation.

Solid Waste Management-Vermitank at Hari Mandir, Panchavati, Nashik Main features of vermitank Vermitank is a specialized unit constructed in brick masonry, capable of converting biodegradable solid waste into high quality organic manure in a short period. It is very easy to operate & maintain. Salient Features are summarized below: Fast process: It takes only 40-45 days for the conversion of garbage as compared to the conventional methods which require about 4-6 months Zero pollution: Vermicompost made in closed vermitanks is completely free of pollution of air, water & soil Freedom from foul odour: The process does not emit any foul odour; hence the vermitanks can be constructed in the vicinity of houses Protection from natural enemies: Vermitank is designed to render full protection to earthworms from natural enemies like rodents & big ants

Making Nightsoil-based Biogas Plants viable in Maharashtras Pune District Biogas generated from nightsoil serves a dual purpose of providing energy and helping manage human waste. However, nightsoil from 25-30 persons per day is required for generating 1 cubic metre biogas. While biogas generated from nightsoil of community toilets, which are used by larger numbers of people, has proved viable, gas produced from individual toilets used by 5-10 persons is inadequate for any practical use. Keeping this in mind, a new strategy has been evolved in Dehu village of Maharashtras Pune district, where some families allow their neighbours to use their toilets for a nominal maintenance charge making attached biogas plants economically viable. Currently, there are about 75 family-owned human nightsoil-based biogas plants in Dehu providing kitchen fuel for villagers.

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