ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT &

AUDIT

UNIT-I

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT
 INTRODUCTION TO WASTE AND TYPES

It is defined as
Waste (also known as rubbish, trash, refuse, garbage,
junk) is any unwanted or useless materials.
OR
Any materials unused and rejected as worthless or
unwanted and “A useless or profile less activity using or
expanding or consuming thoughtlessly or carefully.”
➢ Solid waste ➢ Commercial waste/ Business waste

➢ Liquid waste ➢ Biomedical waste

➢ Gaseous waste ➢ Bulky waste

➢ Animal by product(ABPs)

➢ Biodegradable waste

➢ Chemical waste
 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

➢ It is defined as
“ non liquid, non-soluble materials ranging from municipal garbage
to industrial wastes that contain complex & sometimes hazardous
substances”.
➢ Solid waste also include
➢ Rubbish
➢ Garbage
➢ Demolition products
➢ Sewage treatment residue
➢ Dead animals
➢ Manureand other discarded material.
 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

➢The term "solid waste management" refers to the collection, treatment and
disposal procedure for solid wastes.
➢Wastes are gathered from various sources and are disposed-off through the
waste management process, which involves the collection, transportation,
treatment, analysis, and disposal.
➢It is a serious worldwide problem as it causes both water and air pollution.
➢It shows its direct effect on health, economic growth, and degradation of the
environment.
➢It can lead to pollution of the environment and outbreaks of vector-borne
diseases (diseases spread by rodents and insects).
➢It spreads disease, obstruct the sewers, and cause other infrastructural issues.
 TYPES OF SOLID WASTE

Broadly there are 3 types of waste which as follows

➢Household waste as municipal waste
➢Industrial waste as hazardous waste
➢Biomedical waste or hospital waste as infectious waste
TYPES MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Municipal solid waste consist of---
➢household waste
➢construction and demolition debris
➢sanitation residue
➢waste from streets
With rising urbanization and change in life style and food habits ,the amount of
municipal solid waste has been increasing rapidly and its composition changing.
 MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

➢ Every day goods such as product

packaging, yard trimmings, furniture, clothing,
bottles, cans, food, newspapers, appliances,
electronics, and batteries make up the
municipal solid waste.
➢ With rising urbanisation and change in
lifestyle, the amount of municipal waste is
also rising.
➢ Municipal solid waste management is the
need of the hour and is important for the
safety of public health and better
environmental quality.
 SOURCES OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES

➢Recyclable Material: Glasses, bottles, cans, paper, metals, etc.

➢Composite Wastes: Tetra packs, toys.

➢Biodegradable Wastes: Kitchen waste, flowers, vegetables, fruits, and

leaves.

➢Inert Waste: Rocks, debris, construction material.

➢Domestic Hazardous and Toxic Waste: E-waste, medication, light

bulbs, etc.
 HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SOLID WASTE

➢Bad odour of waste

➢Production of toxic gases
➢Degradation of natural beauty
➢Air pollution
➢Water pollution
➢Soil pollution
➢Spread of diseases
➢Effect on biodiversity
IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

➢With rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and an explosion in population in

India, solid waste management will be a key challenge for state governments
and local municipal bodies in the 21st century.
➢Solid waste management is vital to the health and well-being of city
dwellers.
➢The urban poor is particularly vulnerable, as they generally live in informal
settlements with little or no access to solid waste collection and in
locations near open landfills.
➢The ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ was created to tackle these issues related to
waste management, and it created awareness among the people about the
proper treatment of solid waste. Since the launch of this campaign, the
waste management concept has started to gain momentum.
 GENERATION RATES

➢Solid waste generation rates estimate the amount of waste created by

residences or businesses over a certain amount of time (day, year, etc.).
➢Waste generation includes all materials discarded, whether or not they are later
recycled or disposed in a landfill.
➢Waste generation rates for residential and commercial activities can be used to
estimate the impact of new developments on the local waste stream.
➢The world generates 2.01 billion tones of municipal solid waste annually, with at
least 33 percent of that—extremely conservatively—not managed in an
environmentally safe manner.
➢Worldwide, waste generated per person per day averages 0.74 kilogram but ranges
widely, from 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms.
GENERATION RATES
FACTORS AFFECTING MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION

1. Geographic location

2. Season of the year

3. Collection frequency

4. Use of kitchen waste grinders

5. Characteristics of populace

6. Extent of salvaging and recycling

7. Public attitude
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

➢Physical characteristics
Information and data on the physical characteristics of solid wastes are important for the
selection and operation of equipment and for the analysis and design of disposal
facilities. The following physical characteristics are to be studied in detail.
➢Density
Density of waste, i.e., its mass per unit volume (kg/m3), is a critical factor in the design of
a solid waste management system, e.g., the design of sanitary landfills, storage, types of
collection and transport vehicles, etc.
➢Moisture content
Moisture content is defined as the ratio of the weight of water (wet weight - dry weight)
to the total wet weight of the waste. Moisture increases the weight of solid wastes, and
thereby, the cost of collection and transport. . We can calculate the moisture percentage,
using the formula given below
[Moisture content(%)=\frac{Wet\cdot weight-Dry\cdot weight}{Wet \cdot weight}x 100\]
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

➢Size of Waste constituents

The size distribution of waste constituents in the waste stream is important because of
its significance in the design of mechanical separators and shredder and waste
treatment process. This varies widely and while designing a system, proper analysis of
the waste characteristics should be carried out.
➢Calorific Value
Calorific value is the amount of heat generated from combustion of a unit weight of a
substance, expressed as kcal/kg. The calorific value is determined experimentally using
Bomb calorimeter in which the heat generated at a constant temperature of 25OC
from the combustion of a dry sample is measured.
➢Compressibility
It is the degree of physical changes of the suspended solids or filter cake when
subjected to pressure.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

➢Field capacity
The field capacity of municipal solid waste is the total amount of moisture which can be
retained in a waste sample subject to gravitational pull. It is a critical measure because
water in excess of field capacity will form leachate, and leachate can be a major problem in
landfills. Field capacity varies with the degree of applied pressure and the state of
decomposition of the wastes.
➢Permeability of compacted wastes
The hydraulic conductivity of compacted wastes is an important physical property because
it governs the movement of liquids and gases in a landfill. Permeability depends on the other
properties of the solid material include pore size distribution, surface area and porosity.
Porosity represents the amount of voids per unit total volume of material. The porosity of
municipal solid waste varies typically from 0.40 to 0.67 depending on the compaction and
composition of the waste.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

Chemical characteristics
➢Knowledge of the classification of chemical compounds and their characteristics is essential for
the proper understanding of the behaviour of waste, as it moves through the waste
management system.
➢The products of decomposition and heating values are two examples of chemical
characteristics.
➢ If solid wastes are to be used as fuel, or are used for any other purpose, we must know their
chemical characteristics.
✓ Chemical: Chemical characteristics include pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (N-P-
K), total Carbon, C/N ratio, calorific value.
✓ Bio-Chemical: Bio-Chemical characteristics include carbohydrates, proteins, natural fibre,
and biodegradable factor.
✓ Toxic: Toxicity characteristics include heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides, Toxicity test for
Leachates (TCLP), etc.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

➢ Lipids
This class of compounds includes fats, oils and grease. Lipids have high calorific values, about
38000 kcal/kg, which makes waste with a high lipid content suitable for energy recovery
processes. Since lipids in the solid state become liquid at temperatures slightly above ambient,
they add to the liquid content during waste decomposition. They are biodegradable but because
they have a low solubility in waste, the rate of biodegradation is relatively slow.
➢ Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are found primarily in food and yard waste. They include sugars and polymers of
sugars such as starch and cellulose and have the general formula (CH2O)X. Carbohydrates are
readily biodegraded to products such as carbon dioxide, water and methane. Decomposing
carbohydrates are particularly attractive for flies and rats and for this reason should not be left
exposed for periods longer than is necessary.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE
➢ Proteins
Proteins are compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and consist of an
organic acid with a substituted amine group (NH2). They are found mainly in food and garden
wastes and comprise 5-10% of the dry solids in solid waste. Proteins decompose to form amino
acids but partial decomposition can result in the production of amines, which have intensely
unpleasant odours.
➢ Natural fibres
This class includes the natural compounds, cellulose and lignin, both of which are resistant to
biodegradation. They are found in paper and paper products and in food and yard waste. Cellulose
is a larger polymer of glucose while lignin is composed of a group of monomers of which benzene
is the primary member. Paper, cotton and wood products are 100%, 95% and 40% cellulose
respectively. Since they are highly combustible, solid waste having a high proportion of paper and
wood products, are suitable for incineration. The calorific values of ovendried paper products are in
the range 12000 – 18000 kcal/kg and of wood about 20000 kcal/kg, which compare with 44200
kcal/kg for fuel oil.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

➢ Synthetic organic material (Plastics)

They are highly resistant to biodegradation and, therefore, are objectionable and of special
concern in solid waste management. Hence the increasing attention being paid to the recycling
of plastics to reduce the proportion of this waste component at disposal sites. Plastics have a
high heating value, about 32,000 kJ/kg, which make them very suitable for incineration. But, one
should note that polyvinyl chloride (PVC), when burnt, produces dioxin and acid gas. The latter
increases corrosion in the combustion system and is responsible for acid rain.
➢ Non-combustibles
This class includes glass, ceramics, metals, dust and ashes, and accounts for 12 – 25% of dry
solids.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTE

➢ Heating value
An evaluation of the potential of waste material for use as fuel for incineration requires
a determination of its heating value, expressed as kilojoules per kilogram (kJ/kg).
The heating value is determined experimentally using the Bomb calorimeter test, in
which the heat generated, at a constant temperature of 25°C from the combustion of a
dry sample is measured.
Since the test temperature is below the boiling point of water (100°C), the combustion
water remains in the liquid state.
However, during combustion, the temperature of the combustion gases reaches above
100°C, and the resultant water is in the vapour form.
While evaluating incineration as a means of disposal or energy recovery, one has to
consider the heating values of respective constituents.
➢ Ultimate Analysis of a Typical Municipal Solid Waste
This refers to an analysis of waste to determine
Range (% dry
the proportion of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, Element
nitrogen and sulphur, and it is done to perform weight)
mass balance calculation for a chemical or
Carbon 25-30
thermal process.
Besides, it is necessary to determine ash Hydrogen 2.5-6.0
fraction because of its potentially harmful
environmental effects, brought about by the Oxygen 15-30
presence of toxic metals such as cadmium,
chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, tin and zinc. Nitrogen 0.25-1.2
One should note that other metals (e.g., iron,
magnesium, etc.) may also be present but they Sulphur 0.02-0.12
are non-toxic.
Ash 12-30
 ➢ Proximate analysis
This is important in evaluating the combustion properties
Value (%)
of wastes or a waste or refuse derived fuel. The fractions of
interest are: Components
❖ moisture content, which adds weight to the waste Range Typical
without increasing its heating value, and the
evaporation of water reduces the heat released from Moisture 15-40 20
the fuel;
❖ ash, which adds weight without generating any heat Volatile
during combustion; 40-60 53
matter
❖ volatile matter, i.e., that portion of the waste that is
converted to gases before and during combustion;
Fixed carbon 5-12 7
❖ fixed carbon, which represents the carbon remaining
on the surface grates as charcoal. A waste or fuel with
a high proportion of fixed carbon requires a longer Glass, metal,
retention time on the furnace grates to achieve 15-30 20
complete combustion than a waste or fuel with a low ash
proportion of fixed carbon.
 WASTE SEGREGATION AT SOURCE

Waste segregation at source refers to the process of identifying and segregating

various types of solid wastes at the place or location of their generation.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had in
2016 brought the new Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM).

It defines segregation as sorting and separate storage of various components of solid

waste namely biodegradable wastes including agriculture and dairy waste, non-
biodegradable wastes including recyclable waste, non-recyclable combustible waste,
sanitary waste and non-recyclable inert waste, domestic hazardous wastes, and
construction and demolition wastes.
 The Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution of India, under Article 51-A
provide for duties of citizens for protection and improvement of the natural
environment.
Rules for waste segregation at source
❖ The Solid Waste Management Rules have mandated the source segregation of waste to
channelize the waste to wealth by recovery, reuse and recycling.
❖ The new rules are applicable beyond municipal areas.
❖ It includes urban agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, areas
under the control of Indian Railways, airports, special economic zones, places of
pilgrimage, religious and historical importance, and State and Central Government
organizations in their ambit.
❖ Waste generators would now have to segregate waste into three streams-
Biodegradable, Dry (Plastic, Paper, Metal, Wood) and Domestic Hazardous waste
(diapers, mosquito repellents, cleaning agents) before handing it over to the collector.
Waste segregation at source can reduce up to 250 tones of dump from entering into
landfills.
Waste segregation can be defined as the process of identifying, classifying, dividing and sorting
of garbage and waste products in an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.
In order to segregate waste appropriately, it is important to correctly identify the type waste that is
generated. For the purposes of waste segregation at source, waste is identified and classified into
the following categories depending on their biological, physical and chemical properties:
•Dry Waste – Refers to all items that are not considered wet/soiled items. This includes both
recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Dry waste includes items such as bottles, cans, clothing,
plastic, wood, glass, metals and paper.
•Wet Waste – Refers to all items that are organic like food items, soiled food wrappers, hygiene
products, yard waste, tissues and paper towels, as well as any other soiled item that would
contaminate the recyclables.
Sanitary Waste – Refers to all liquid or solid waste originating solely from humans
and human activities. (Can also include items from medical waste)
Hazardous Household Waste – Refers to all household products that contain
corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients, other than used oil.
E-Waste – Refers to all kinds of electronic waste.
Hazardous Waste – Refers to all items, products and by-products that contain
corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients.
Inert Waste – Refers to waste items that are neither chemically or biologically
reactive nor decompose easily.
Collect back scheme for packaging waste
➢ Brand owners who sell or market their products in non-biodegradable packaging
materials should put in place a system to collect back the packaging waste generated
due to their production.
Provisions for the Large Waste Generators
❖ Institutional generators, market associations, event organisers and hotels and restaurants
are directly responsible for segregation and sorting the waste and managing partnerships
with local bodies.
❖ In case of an event, or gathering of more than 100 persons at any licensed/ unlicensed place,
the organiser will have to ensure segregation of waste at source and handing over of
segregated waste to waste collectors or agencies, as specified by the local authority.
❖ All hotels and restaurants will also be required to segregate biodegradable waste and set up
a system of collection to ensure that such food waste is utilised for composting / bio-
Examination.
❖ The rules mandate that all resident welfare and market associations and gated communities
with an area of above 5,000 sq m will have to segregate waste at the source.
➢ Objectives of waste disposal are as follows:
1. To protect our environment from pollution and contamination and repair and reduce the
damage caused by pollution.

2. Irresponsibly disposed of waste can lead to various diseases and can harm people.

3. Therefore, we should carefully dispose of waste to encourage health standards.

4. Having proper waste disposal methods available supports recycling and saves precious
materials.

5. With the help of bioremediation, it is removing contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from
soil, water, and other environments.
 KEY COMPONENTS OF SOLID WASTE
➢ Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management System comprises of
six basic elements including:

1. Generation of the solid waste

2. On-site handling & storage
3. Collection
4. Transfer & transport
5. Material and resource recovery
6. Disposal
 GENERATION OF SOLID WASTE

➢ Solid waste generation refers to the creation of waste materials by residential,

commercial, and industrial activities. This function involves understanding the sources,
quantities, and composition of waste to develop appropriate waste management
strategies. Waste generation rates can be estimated using the following equation:
Waste Generation = Population × Per Capita Waste Generation Rate
➢ The handling, storage, and separation of solid waste at the source before they are
collected is a critical step in the management of residential solid waste
Waste Handling
Handling refers to activities associated with managing solid wastes until they are
placed in the containers used for their storage before collection or return to drop-
off and recycling canters.
On-site handling and storage involve the proper containment and temporary storage
of waste at the point of generation.

It includes activities such as waste segregation, waste minimization, and the use of
appropriate containers or bins.

For instance, households may use separate bins for recyclable materials (e.g., paper,
plastic, glass) and non-recyclable waste.

On-site storage ensures that waste is properly managed until it is collected.

Waste Storage
The first phase to manage solid waste is at the home level. It requires temporary
storage of refuse on the premises.
The individual household or businessman has responsibility for the onsite storage
of solid waste.
For individual homes, industries, and other commercial centres, proper on-site
storage of solid waste is the beginning of proper disposal, because unkept solid
waste or simple dumps are sources of nuisance, flies, smells, and other hazards.
Collection
The collection is the process of gathering and transporting waste from various sources to
a central location or transfer station.
Efficient collection systems are designed based on factors such as population density, waste
generation rates, and transportation logistics.
Collection methods include curb side collection, door-to-door collection, and community
drop-off points. Collection vehicles, such as garbage trucks, are used to transport waste to
the next stage.
Transfer and Transport
Transfer and transport involve the movement of waste from the collection points or
transfer stations to treatment or disposal facilities.
Waste transfer stations act as intermediate hubs where waste is consolidated from smaller
collection vehicles into larger transport vehicles.
Proper handling, containment, and transport equipment are essential to prevent spillage,
littering, and odor nuisances during transfer and transport processes.
Resource Recovery and Processing
Examples of material and resource recovery include:

❖ Recycling:
Separating and processing recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass for
remanufacturing into new products.
❖ Composting:
Decomposing organic waste materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, to produce
nutrient-rich compost for soil amendment.
❖ Energy Recovery:
Utilizing waste as a fuel source through processes like waste-to-energy (WTE) or
anaerobic digestion to generate electricity or heat.
Disposal
Disposal is the final stage of solid waste management when waste that cannot be
recovered or recycled is safely and responsibly disposed of. Common disposal
methods include landfilling and incineration.
❖ Landfilling:
Waste is placed in a specially engineered landfill, where it undergoes controlled
decomposition over time. Landfills are designed with liners, leachate collection systems,
and gas management infrastructure to minimize environmental impacts.
❖ Incineration:
Waste is burned at high temperatures in waste-to-energy facilities, reducing its volume
and generating electricity or heat. Modern incineration plants are equipped with air
pollution control technologies to minimize emissions.
People's Participation in solid waste management
Role of people is Essential in the Following Areas
1. Reduce, Reuse & Recycling (R R R) of waste.
2. Not to throw the waste/litter on the streets, drains, open spaces, water bodies, etc.
3. Storage of organic/bio-degradable and recyclable waste separately at source.
4. Primary collection of waste
5. Community storage/collection of waste in flats, multi-storied buildings, societies,
commercial complexes, etc.
6. Managing excreta of pet dogs and cats appropriately.
7. Waste processing/disposal at a community level (optional)
8. Pay adequately for the services provided.