WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Date: July 02, 2024

Location: Badamanavarathekaval, Bengaluru(South), Karnataka

Introduction

The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a voluntary organization in India that aims to develop the
personality and character of students through community service and social outreach activities.
On July 02, 2024, a group of NSS volunteers from Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and
Management embarked on a rural area visit to located in Badamanavarathekaval located in South
of Bangalore. The NSS program, known for its commitment to community service and
experiential learning, provided an exceptional platform for our volunteers to immerse themselves
in the world of management specially of waste and other important resources.

Objective

The primary objective of our waste management program is to create a sustainable, efficient, and
environmentally responsible system that minimizes waste generation and maximizes resource
recovery. This involves reducing the amount of waste produced through effective resource use
and sustainable consumption practices. We aim to enhance recycling efforts by improving
collection methods, expanding recycling programs, and educating stakeholders on the importance
of recycling. Additionally, we promote the reuse of materials to extend the lifecycle of products
and reduce the demand for new resources. Ensuring the safe and environmentally sound disposal
of non-recyclable and hazardous waste is a key priority, achieved through compliance with
regulatory requirements and best practices.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 1

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

The primary objectives of the rural area visit were:

Waste Reduction at Source: Implement practices and policies that reduce the amount of waste
generated. This can include encouraging the use of reusable items, minimizing packaging, and
promoting efficient use of materials.

Efficient Waste Segregation: Ensure proper segregation of waste into categories like recyclables,
organic waste, hazardous waste, and general waste. This facilitates more efficient recycling,
composting, and disposal processes.

Community Awareness and Participation: Educate and involve the community in waste
management practices. This can involve campaigns to increase awareness about recycling, proper
waste disposal methods, and the environmental impacts of improper waste management.

Activities Undertaken

1. Promoting Reusable Items: Encouraging students and staff to use reusable water bottles,
coffee cups, and shopping bags instead of single-use plastics. We distribute reusable items
during orientation and host events to raise awareness about reducing plastic waste.
2. Recycling Drives: Organizing regular recycling drives where students can bring in paper,
plastic, glass, and metal items. We have set up clearly labeled recycling bins across
campus to make it easy for everyone to recycle.
3. Composting Food Waste: Setting up compost bins in dining halls and cafeterias to collect
food scraps and organic waste. The compost is then used in campus gardens, reducing the
amount of waste sent to landfills and enriching the soil for growing plants.
4. Educational Workshops and Campaigns: Hosting workshops and information sessions
to teach students about the importance of waste management, how to recycle properly, and
ways to reduce waste in their daily lives. We also run social media campaigns to keep the
community informed and engaged.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 2

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Our NSS group for waste management activity reached Badamanavarathekaval which is located
in southern outskirts of Bengaluru. Here we contacted the local head for our task and he gave us
the permission.
We collected all the waste materials from nearby surroundings and filled in nearby empty land.
We classified these waste materials into biodegradable such as food waste, vegetable peelings,
papers etc and non-biodegradable waste such as glass windows which are not used and used tin
cans which are shown above.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 3

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Our team members under guidance worked upon the wastes.Proper waste separation is essential
for effective waste management. It reduces the burden on landfills, facilitates recycling, and
ensures hazardous materials are handled safely. Here are some common methods of waste
separation:

1. Source Separation at Household Level and Industrial Level.

2. Mechanical Separation such as Magnetic Separation, Air Classification and Screening.

3. Biological Separation like Composting and Anaerobic Digestion of waste.

4. Chemical Separation including Precipitation and Adsorption.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 4

WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Collecting the waste to make our surroundings CLEAN and GREEN.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 5

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Visit to Waste Segregation and Water Treatment Plants

Water treatment is the process of making water suitable for a specific end-use, such as drinking,
industrial water supply, irrigation, river flow maintenance, water recreation, or many other uses.
The goal is to remove contaminants and undesirable components or reduce their concentration so
that the water becomes fit for its desired end-use. The processes involved in water treatment
include physical, chemical, and biological methods, each targeting different types of
contaminants. Physical methods include filtration and sedimentation, chemical methods involve
the addition of substances like chlorine and alum, and biological processes include the use of
microorganisms to break down pollutants.

Effective water treatment is essential for public health and environmental protection. It ensures
that drinking water is safe and free from harmful microorganisms and chemicals. Moreover,
treated wastewater can be safely returned to the environment, minimizing pollution and protecting
aquatic ecosystems. Advanced treatment methods, including membrane filtration, reverse
osmosis, and advanced oxidation processes, are being increasingly used to address emerging
contaminants and to provide higher-quality water for sensitive applications. Overall, water
treatment is a critical component of sustainable water management, ensuring that water resources
are used efficiently and responsibly.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 6

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

We completed our waste management task and also learnt about how to manage wastes and waste
water plant segregation as well.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 7

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Ideas for Improving Waste Management

1. Education and Awareness

 Conduct public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of waste
separation and proper disposal methods.
 Implement school programs that teach children about waste management and
environmental stewardship.

2. Incentive Programs

 Introduce incentive programs that reward households and businesses for effective waste
separation and recycling.
 Provide financial support or tax breaks to industries that adopt sustainable waste
management practices.

3. Technology Integration

 Invest in advanced waste sorting technologies, such as automated sorting machines, to

improve the efficiency of waste separation.
 Use data analytics to optimize waste collection routes and schedules, reducing fuel
consumption and emissions.

4. Policy and Regulation

 Implement stricter regulations on waste disposal and encourage the reduction, reuse, and
recycling of waste materials.
 Enforce penalties for illegal dumping and non-compliance with waste management.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 8

 WASTE MANAGEMENT 2023-24

Conclusion

The visit to Badamanavarathekaval in Bengaluru was an enriching and educational experience for
all NSS volunteers from Dayanand Sagar Academy of Technology and Management. It allowed
us to actively contribute to managing and organising the waste properly, gain practical
knowledge, and promote the principles of waste management in the community. This visit aligns
perfectly with the core values of NSS, emphasizing community service and social development
through experiential learning.

Orientation: A short presentation highlights key statistics, milestones, and the overall impact of
our waste management program.

Recycling Plant Visit: The tour proceeds to our recycling plant, where visitors see the
transformation of waste materials into reusable resources. They witness the processes involved in
recycling paper, plastics, metals, and glass, learning about the efficiency and effectiveness of
these operations.

Composting and Organic Waste Management: An explanation of the composting process, from
collection to final product, underscores our commitment to reducing landfill waste and promoting
soil health.

Sustainability Initiatives and Future Plans: An outline of our future plans and goals for
continuous improvement in waste management is presented.

Interactive Q&A Session: The visit concludes with an interactive Q&A session, allowing visitors
to ask questions and provide feedback. This session fosters a dialogue about the importance of
waste management and how individuals and organizations can contribute to a sustainable future.

DEPT. OF ISE, DSATM Page 9