Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

What happens to the waste in your city - is it dumped, recycled or burned?

Did you know that recycling waste can meet almost 40% of global raw material needs?

Is organic waste in your city dumped in unauthorized sites or is it land filled?

Do you know that closed landfills can be useful to society?

Understanding key issues, technologies, and costs involved in the solid waste management chain help
cities...

To choose the right waste management solution.

This module addresses the latter parts of the solid waste management chain: Recycling, treatment, and
disposal

1
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

2
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

3
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

4
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Welcome to the course solid waste management. You are in the module Solid waste management
chain – part 2.

5
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

How to use this module?

There are six tutorial topics in this module, followed by a module and an assessment. You can go
through the tutorial topics in any order. But following the given sequences will give you a better learning
experience.

Getting started
Ever wondered what life is like working in and living near an unauthorized dump? Get a 360° look at an
open dump in Freetown. Sierra Leone. You can move left or right. Study the pictures carefully and then
answer the question that follows.

6
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Things to keep in mind

There are some important considerations to keep in mind when thinking about best practices to
improve each component of the solid waste management chain as well as some of the challenges faced
in developing countries. Let's take a look at Manila's Smokey Mountain dump and think of the economic,
public health, environmental, and social impacts of waste on Smokey Mountain.

About this module

This module focuses on the remaining elements of the solid waste management chain – recycling,
treatment, and disposal.

7
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Learning goals
Read the learning goals of this module before proceeding. It will take you about 50 minutes to complete
this module.

Changing trends of consumption in developing countries

Let's begin by learning about the changing trends in use of resources in developing countries and how
these trends affect recycling. Earlier, resources were reused and recycled out of necessity. However,
globalization, cheaper muss production, and higher disposable incomes have increased the consumption
of single-use items.

8
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Countries recycling waste

Many developing countries around the world import recyclable waste from developed nations, adding
to increased waste management problems worldwide. Recently, China, one of the largest developing
economies, initiated a change in its waste import policy. Study the slides to I-mow more about China's
policy change and its impacts.

9
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

10
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

11
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

12
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Some statistics and pointers about recycling

To plan a successful recycling scheme in your city, you need to keep in mind the global recycling rates
and factors that will affect recycling in your city.

13.5% waste recycled

13
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

14
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Benefits of recycling
The story of China's ban on the import of recyclable material highlights the weaknesses in recycling
policies and programs across the globe. Take a look at the benefits of recycling to understand how
improving domestic waste management policies can better the waste management situation around the
world.

15
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Knowledge check
It's time now to take a break and check your knowledge on recycling. Some statements are given here.
Can you identify the ones that are correct? Choose all that apply and select I'm Done.

16
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Recycling plastic in developing countries

Why do you think there is a big market for plastic recycling in developing countries? Plastics in
developing countries are recycled for monetary and not environmental reasons. Commonly re-
processed plastics are PE, PP, PS, and PVC.

17
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Recycling materials
Try answering this question on what we can recycle. Look at the images of waste products on screen and
choose the ones that you would put in the recycling bin.

Recycling process: Plastics

Plastics are a key component of the types of waste we generate. The flowchart on the screen depicts the
plastic recycling process. First, plastic is sorted by the recycling number on the plastic material, then
shredded and cleaned.

It is then melted down into pellets that are used to make new products. After going through the screen
contents, watch the video to learn about the plastic recycling process.

18
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Recycling process: Aluminum

Aluminum is the most valuable item in recycling, because it can be recycled over and over again without
any loss of quality. The flowchart on the screen depicts the aluminum recycling process. Once aluminum
is transported to o treatment plant, it is cleaned, sorted, melted, and molded into large blocks called
ingots. The ingots are then rolled out into sheets and then processed into new products. After going
through the screen contents, watch the video that describes how aluminum is recycled in the UR.

19
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Recycling process: Glass

What is it that glass has in common with aluminum? Like aluminum, gloss can also be recycled over and
over again without any loss of quality.

The flowchart on the screen depicts the glass recycling process. Once glass is collected, it is sorted by
color and washed. It is then crushed, melted and molded into new gloss products. After going through
the screen contents, watch the video that describes how glass is recycled in the UR.

Recycling process: Paper

Do you know that you cannot recycle paper that is contaminated with food and you should remove
portions that are greasy before throwing the waste into the recycle bin? Paper — unlike aluminum and
glass — cannot be recycled over and over again. The flowchart on the screen depicts the paper recycling
process. Once paper is collected, sorted, and washed, it is mixed with water to create a slurry. A certain
amount of virgin paper content is added to the slurry before rolling it in to large thin sheets that are
used to make new products. The video will give you a closer look at paper recycling.

20
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Knowledge check
Now, take a break and answer this question on recycling glass. Read the question. Choose the correct
answer, and select |'am Done.

21
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Challenges in recycling
Although recycling has many co-benefits, setting up o recycling program in a community or city can be
expensive and challenging. Take a look at the waste collector's story given here to learn about some of
the key challenges faced by the recycling industry.

22
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

23
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

24
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Knowledge check
You have reached the end of this topic on recycling process. Before moving on to the next topic, answer
this question on waste segregation.

25
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Methods to treat organic waste

To start this topic, consider these questions. What happens to the excess vegetables thrown away by
vendors or the food waste generated by restaurants? Did you know that organic waste can also be
treated in a meaningful way to create useful products? The answer to these questions lies in composting,
anaerobic digestion, and mechanical biological treatment.

Composting
Composting is a relatively low-cost option to naturally breakdown organic waste using air and water.
Resulting in a fertilizer-like product called compost. Compost is used as a Fertilizer or soil amendment,
thus reducing the need for fossil fuel-based fertilizers and water for irrigation. While composting has
several benefits, in order to use the method effectively, you should be aware of its drawbacks.

26
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

27
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

28
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Composting process
The composting process starts with transporting, inspecting, and preparing feedstock. This feedstock is
then laid out and distributed in piles or rows to curry out active decomposition of organic matter and
then left for curing. The ready compost is refined, put through quality checks, and then packed for
delivery. Composting can be of many types such as large-scale composting, small-scale composting,
open—space composting, in-vessel composting, composting using insects, and composting without
insects.

29
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Compost using insects

In developing countries, using insects for composting may be more appropriate than other methods
because it requires less investment and technical knowledge. Vermicomposting and composting using
black soldier fig larvae benefit communities by creating jobs and reducing the organic waste reaching a
dumpsite.

30
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

31
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

32
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Important points to consider

Let's look at some points to remember about composting.

Anaerobic Digestion (AD)

Do you know that you can generate greenhouse gases that can be used as a fuel from organic waste?
How do you think that is possible? It is possible through anaerobic digestion or AD.

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process in which microorganisms breakdown organic material in the
absence of oxygen.

This process produces a gaseous biogas, which can be combusted to generate electricity and heat or
processed into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels. It also produces a semi-solid digestate,
which can be used as a fertilizer.

33
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

34
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

35
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities

Another method to treat organic waste is mechanical biological treatment (MBT) facilities. MBTs employ
o combination of different mechanical and biological processes to treat and further separate waste into
recyclable, organic-rich, and Fuel-rich fractions, such as refuse-derived fuel.

36
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Knowledge check
Which of the following sentences are true? Choose all that apply and select I'M DONE.

37
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Using waste to generate energy

Did you know that Singapore incinerates most of its waste to generate electricity? incineration is o form
of thermal treatment of MSW.

This topic will discuss in detail different types of thermal treatments and modified waste products
shown on this screen. You will learn more about how Singapore recycles and converts its waste into
electricity later in the module.

Waste-To-Energy (WTE) or incineration (Mass burn)

The most common type of thermal treatment is waste—to—energy. It is the combustion of waste under
controlled conditions and high temperatures to generate electricity or heat or both. Economic feasibility
of waste-to-energy depends on factors listed here.

38
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

39
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

40
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

WTE and the environment

Do you wonder about the effects of WTE on the environment? Here are some interesting facts.

41
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

42
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Reuse Derived Full (RDF)

What if you need more calorific value than is produced from mass burning MSW? The answer lies in
Refuse Derived Fuel. It is the segregated high calorific Fraction of processed MSW, commercial, or
industrial wastes. Study this slide to learn more about Refuse Derived Fuel.

43
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF)

Solid Recovered Fuel or SRF is mode from non-hazardous waste. With SRFs. producers have to be more
specific in terms of the calorific value of the waste and the chlorine and mercury content. This specificity
allows users of the waste to determine the quality of the feedstock—the SRF-that they will use as a fuel
in their plants. It also makes SRF of a higher quality than RDF. SRF can be used in cement kilns, industrial
boilers, combined heat and power plants, and any place that has a heat demand.

44
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Advanced thermal treatment

Now let's look at two additional technologies to treat waste, pyrolysis and gasification. It is important to
keep in mind that the most common form of thermal treatment is incineration or moss burn. You can go
through the links provided in the USEFUL LINKS button below to study more about pyrolysis and
gasification.

45
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Knowledge check
Here is a question for you to and this topic. Read the given statements and identify the ones that are
correct.

Disposal options
This topic discusses the different disposal options. Although disposal is the least preferred option in the
solid waste management chain it cannot be avoided completely. However, open dumping should be
avoided at all costs. First, answer this question to gauge your understanding.

46
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Comparison of disposal options

Waste disposal takes many forms around the world—from indiscriminate dumping and burning in open
spaces to highly sophisticated and environmentally stringent landfills. Here's a comparison of open
dumps, controlled landfills, and sanitary landfills.

47
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Siting landfills
Where do you think landfills should be located? Landfills are usually built near the perimeter of
populated areas or away from cities because no one wants to live near a smelly, noisy, unsightly garbage
dump.

48
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Landfill Gas (LFG) capture and use

Landfills gas, generated when organic matter is decomposed in anaerobic conditions, is mainly
composed of methane. However, this can be captured under certain conditions.

49
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Landfill closure and monitoring

What happens to a landfill after it has been exhausted? All landfills eventually reach the end of their
active lifecycle and have to be closed and monitored. Look at this slide to learn how to close and
monitor landfills.

50
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

51
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Knowledge check
Here is a question for gnu to answer before finishing this topic. When a landfills site is closed, which of
the following are applicable?

52
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Solid waste management in Singapore

Here's how Singapore converts its waste into energy.

53
Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

54
 Module 3: Solid Waste Management Chain - Part 2

Key learning points

You have reached the end of the module. Here are the key points covered in this module‘

55