SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

A PROJECT ON
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (SWM) PRACTICES
IN RESIDENTIAL & BIOMEDICAL AREAS
IN KOLHAPUR CITY

Guide : Prof. P. A. Joshi

Project By :
§ Yugandher S. Ghugare (161095)
§ Manasi S. Tikate (161092)
§ Ruturaj C. Vankudre (161093)
§ Swapnali E. Pawar (161098)
§ Anjali A. Potdar (161077)
§ Rutuja R. Patil (161067)
§ Vinit V. Rasate (171181)
§ Sainath H. Shinde (171185)
§ Anju B. Wayase (171188)
§ Janhavi J. Naragude (171178)
§ Vaishnavi V. Kadam (171186)

GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, KOLHAPUR

2018
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SR. PAGE
DESCRIPTION
NO. NO.

1 INTRODUCTION 3

2 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KOLHAPUR CITY 4

KOLHAPUR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION’S SOLID WASTE
3 6
MANAGEMENT PROJECT
4 RESIDENTIAL WASTE 8
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT
5 13

6 BIOMEDICAL WASTE 25

7 ELECTRONIC WASTE 37

8 CASE STUDY: SINGAPORE’S GARBAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM 47

9 CONCLUSION 49

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY 51

2
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Kolhapur is a city on the banks of the Panchaganga River, in the west Indian state of
Maharashtra. It’s known for its temples, like the ancient Mahalakshmi Temple, a Hindu
pilgrimage site. The Bhavani Mandap is an imposing old palace with a small museum
displaying stuffed wild animals. Close by, Rankala Lake is surrounded by gardens. The

hilltop Jyotiba Temple complex is on the city's outskirts. Having a permanent population
of 3,874,015, Kolhapur also has a floating population of 1,50,000-2,00,000. The floating
population mainly consists of tourists which are attracted to this city because of its
famous historical locations and various cultural traditions.
This is one of the leading causes of waste generation. Though the developed countries
generate larger amounts of wastes, they have developed adequate facilities, competent
government institutions and bureaucracies to manage their wastes. Developing
countries are still in the transition towards better waste management but they currently
have insufficient collection and improper disposal of wastes. Clear government policies
and competent bureaucracies for management of solid wastes are needed urgently
especially in countries where there is rapid population growth through urbanization. As
the problem of waste accumulation reaches threatening proportions, a worldwide effort
is taken to control waste and to manage it. Many countries and individual towns are
trying in their own way to manage waste.
Waste is defined as any material that is not useful and does not represent any economic
value to its owner, the owner being the waste generator. Depending on the physical state
of waste, waste is categorized into solid, liquid and gases. Solid waste is categorized into
municipal waste, hazardous waste, medical waste and radioactive waste. Managing solid
waste generally involves planning, financing, construction and operation facilities for the
collection, transportation, recycling and final disposal of waste.
Solid waste management involves management of activities associated with generation,
storage, collection, transfer and transportation, processing and disposal of solid waste in
style and manner that is environmentally compatible adopting principles of economy,
aesthetics, energy and conservation.

3
 CHAPTER 2

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KOLHAPUR CITY

In Kolhapur city, everyday 165 tons of solid waste is generated and all 165 tons are lifted
every day. The dry and wet solid wastes are collected from individual houses and public
dust-bins and transported to Kasaba Bavada where it is dumped at Zoom Fertilizer
project. The solid waste collection and transport is done as per time table and collection
route fixed by the corporation. The waste dumped at zoom project is processed to convert
it into organic manure. The solid waste collection and transport work in done everyday
day from morning 6 to 2 in the afternoon.

Collection of Municipal Solid Wastes

In Kolhapur city, everyday 165 tons of solid waste is generated and all 165 tons are lifted
every day. The dry and wet solid wastes are collected from individual houses and public
dust-bins and transported to Kasaba Bavada where it is dumped at Zoom fertilizer project.
The solid waste collection and transport is done as per time table and collection route
fixed by the corporation. The waste dumped at zoom project is processed to convert it
into organic manure. The solid waste collection and transport work in done everyday day
from morning 6 to 2 in the afternoon. To collect solid waste from houses from city areas
with high population density, carts with bells are deployed. Male workers are appointed
for collection of waste from door to door. Road cleaning is done regularly in high density
areas and as per necessity in extension area. Specific areas are assigned to every
sweeper. As per Govt. guidelines, necessary changes in allotted road lengths are being
planned in the next year. Similarly, safety kits and long handle brooms, coconut stick
brooms, buckets will be given to all sweepers. The solid waste from big hotels,
restaurants, mess etc. is collected by door to door collection by charging nominal fees.
These hotels and restaurants are prohibited from dumping the waste in public dust bins

Segregation of Municipal Solid Wastes

People and businessmen are motivated by public awareness programs to segregate and
store dry and wet solid wastes in separate bins at house level only. The dry and wet solid

4
wastes collected by corporation is given to Zoom Fertilizer project. The wet solid wastes
are processed to prepare organic manure. Plastic bags, bottles, scrap materials are
separated from dry waste for recycling. The earthworm composting is planned to be
implemented as scientific method of domestic solid waste disposal. Kitchen gardens are
being developed with the help of NGOs and people participation in bungalows, building
complexes, apartments and societies. Kolhapur Corporation is trying to get people
participation in segregation of wastes through publicity and public awareness campaigns
with the help of social organizations.

Transportation of Municipal Solid Wastes

For transporting solid wastes, Kolhapur corporation uses 22 vehicles like, dumpers,
placers, R. C. truck. These vehicles of solid waste transport are of closed type. Transport
system is geared up to collect solid wastes daily from sensitive areas like, important
places in the city, administrative offices, Govt. hospitals, waste generating places etc. In
order to or bad smell prevent falling of waste suitable arrangement is provided in the
vehicles. i.e. back side partition is kept high and tarpaulin is covered over the waste during
transport.
Processing of Municipal Solid Wastes

The solid waste treatment plant to treat minimum 165 tons of solid waste generated per
day in the Kolhapur city is established in an area of 38,800 sq. m. (4 hector) on 30-year
lease contract and Zoom company treats the waste to produce compost. The wet solid
waste is converted to organic manure and sold in the market.

Disposal of Municipal Solid Wastes

Fertilizer project is being implemented through privatization through stages (D.O.T.). The
16.76 hectares of land at Post Halsavade, Section No. 573/A required for sanitary landfill
is not yet transferred to corporation. After acquisition of this land, consent will be obtained
from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board after conducting rapid environmental impact
analysis. The work of acquisition of 16.76 hectares of land at Post Halsavade, Section
No. 573/A for necessary infrastructure development works to enable long time dumping
and disposal of solid waste is in progress.

5
 CHAPTER 3

KOLHAPUR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION’S SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT PROJECT

§ Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been working & planning towards making
the city clean and environmentally friendly.
§ Solid Waste Management Project is one of the most important & significant aspect of
this entire exercise.
§ The very first & only solid waste disposal system for Kolhapur city was designed in
1999.
§ Then onwards, KMC has started solid waste disposal project at Bawada avoiding the
desperate dumping of waste i.e. Zoom Biofertilizers Pvt. Ltd.
§ Location: Line Bazar, Kasba Bawda, Kolhapur.
§ Approval of Standing Committee, Kolhapur Municipal Corporation on 15th May 1999.
§ Contract with K.M.C. for 30 years signed on 11th Sept, 2000.
§ G.R. from Maharashtra Government for project set up on 29thJanuary, 2000.
§ Permission from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for setting up project on 20
February, 2001.
§ Construction Permit from Town Planning Dept. (K.M.C.) on 25th Sept 2002.
§ Capacity: 150 Tones
§ Process Used: Application of Bio cultures followed by aerobic Decomposition.
§ Area of Plant: 10 Ha

6
 Solid Waste Treatment Mechanism at Zoom Solid Waste Disposal and
Treatment Plant

1) Weighing
and unloading
of MSW

2) Segragation
process

3) 45 day
composting
process

4) Seiving and
packing
process

5) Storage of
finished
product

6) Dispatch of
product to
customer

7
 CHAPTER 4

RESIDENTIAL WASTE

Introduction

Household Waste, also known as domestic waste or residential waste, is refuse

generated by households. Non-hazardous waste is often made up of food scraps,
newspapers, bottles, cans, etc. and parts of it that can be recycled.

Refuse from households can also include some forms of hazardous waste and can
originate from household cleaners, batteries, or oils. These types of waste need to be
handled in a safe manner to ensure that they will not find their way into the environment
and become a threat to both humans and animals.

The problem of Domestic Waste is drawing increasing attention of the people as huge
garbage is lying down uncollected beside the roads, streets dustbins and on the ground,
which is causing threat to the environment as well as endangering public health.
This waste is generated as consequences of household activities such as the cleaning,
cooking, repairing empty containers, packaging, huge use of plastic carry bags. Many
times, these waste gets mixed with biomedical waste from hospitals and clinics. There is
no system of segregation of organic, inorganic and recyclable wastes at the household
level. Door-to-door collection is rarely practiced community collection bins are poorly
managed and are usually no more than open dumps on the roadside.

Effects of improper Management of Residential Waste

The improper handling and management of Domestic Waste from households are
causing adverse effect on the public at large and this deteriorates the environment.
The municipal workers are most affected people by the occupational danger (hazard) of
waste handling, they suffer from illness like eye problems respiratory problems, gastro
and skin problems. The persons who wander for collecting the discarded things for selling
purpose through wastes also suffer from various health problems like respiratory problem
from inhaling particles, infection from direct contact with contaminated materials which
lead to headache, diarrhea, fever and cough and cold.

8
The growing problem of lack of solid waste management collection as well as improper
disposal techniques also lead to various diseases and even death of animals specially
cows, birds and stray dogs who wander and rummages through the waste for food. These
wastes are having different characteristics and having toxic elements. Many times, the
animals like the cows, buffalos eat up the plastics along with the food and due it the death
of animals ensues. Due to eating up of waste generated food it affects the quality and
quantity of the milk products of the animals.

The improper management and lack of disposal technique of the domestic waste pollutes
to the environment. It affects the water bodies. It also changes the physical, chemical and
biological properties of the water bodies. Uncollected waste is scattered everywhere and
reaches to the water bodies through run-off as well as it percolates to underground water.
The toxics contain in the waste, contaminates water. It also makes soil infertile and
decrease the agricultural productivity.

Due to uncollected waste and improper disposal techniques drains also get clogged which
lead to mosquitoes by which various diseases like malaria, chicken-guinea, viral fever,
dengue etc. arise and affect the health of people adversely.

It is one of the biggest sources of environment pollution. Land is polluted with the waste
dumped upon it, makes the soil infertile. contaminates the water bodies, affect the aquatic
life which through food chain reaches the human being as well as in organic compounds.
Due to the discarded plastics carry bags and uncollected waste there is drain clogging
which leads to stagnant water and becomes breeding ground for mosquitoes and insects.
All this happens because there is no proper management and collection of solid waste
which ultimately causes grave threat to the human beings and animals’ life.

Suggestions to Eradicate Problems of Domestic Wastes

• The government should consider all the factors responsible for environment pollution
and should give the priority for effective enforcement of Environmental Laws and
Rules.
• There should be concerted efforts of government for spreading the awareness among
the people about the importance of cleanliness and protection of environment through
the communication media as well as organizing awareness camps at local levels.

9
• Immediate attention should be given to integrate the role of NGOs, private sectors and
rag pickers, the emerging actors in the field of waste disposal, for overall institutional
framework.
• Efforts should be taken for strengthening local authorities, scientifically and
technologically, for providing training to existing manpower and exchanging
information and integrating knowledge by complementing the efforts of agencies
dealing with environment.
• Efforts at individual levels should be promoted.
• Need to educate the people to store waste at source, dispose of the waste as per the
directions of the local bodies and effectively participate in the activities of local bodies
to keep the cities clean.
• People should form the habit of storing waste at source in their own houses and
deposit such waste into the municipal system only.
• There should be separate waste disposal policy through the Central Government and
should separately allocate budget and work with the help of effective institutional
arrangements at local level.
• ‘Environment’ this entry should be placed in concurrent list.
• Cleanliness should be developed as a part of culture.
• There should be a change in the mindset of the people and they should avoid luxurious
life style which creates more waste.
• People’s participation in the implementation of Laws and Rules should be increased
by making them aware about their right and duties through legal literacy camps.
• Government should revise its policies and enact new legislation pertaining to proper
disposal of Domestic Waste and providing stricter compliance provisions.
• Administrative machinery should be geared up to solve the problem faced by people
at large.
• At individual level people should try to dispose Domestic Waste by digging pit in their
yards and putting biodegradable waste into pit and shielding it from rain water which
further can be used as compost manure.
• Society should find ways and means to cut down Domestic Waste.
• Domestic Waste should not be thrown in the neighborhood, on the streets; roadsides
open spaces and vacant lands, into drains or water bodies.

10
• Dry waste should be segregated from wet biodegradable waste; recyclable waste
should be given to agencies.
• Solid waste management programs should be targeted for reduction in the regions
waste and should provide incentives for decreased generation of waste.
• Stringent penalty must be imposed on people who throw away waste outside houses
or on the street.
• People should make use of thing which they can use for long time and not just use
and throw.
• Composting of Domestic Waste at the household level and community level should
be encouraged through public education and dissemination of information on
composting technique.
• Mere dumping of Domestic Waste without treatment in nearby locality should be
avoided by the local municipal authorities.
• Scientific and proper disposal techniques for safe disposal of domestic waste should
be used by the local authorities.

11
SWM Management – A Case Study
Data of Solid Waste Generation at Vasant Siddhi Apartment,
Rajarampuri 6th Lane, Kolhapur

Monitoring Period: 09.08.2018 (Thursday) 8 A.M. to 10.08.2018 (Friday) 8 A.M. (24 Hr.
data)
Waste Generated
(Kg) Per capita
Sr. Name of No. of Total
Generation Remarks
No. Flat Owners Members Dry Wet (Kg)
(Kg)
Waste Waste
1 Lawate 6 1.15 0.29 1.44 0.24 Office
2 Powar 8 1.2 0.4 1.6 0.2 Office
3 Kadolkar 2 0.32 0.48 0.8 0.4 Residential
4 Ghate 2 0.45 0.55 1.0 0.5 Residential
5 Solanki 6 1 1.5 2.5 0.41 Residential
6 Ghugare 3 0.81 0.99 1.8 0.6 Residential
7 Kasar 4 0.46 0.69 1.15 0.28 Residential
8 Joshi 2 0.84 0.45 1.29 0.645 Residential
9 Bharti 3 0.75 0.99 1.75 0.583 Residential
10 Sarda 4 0.78 1.33 2.12 0.53 Residential
11 Sangaokar 2 0.52 0.78 1.3 0.65 Residential
12 Sohoni 2 0.28 0.42 0.7 0.35 Residential
13 Samudre 4 0.74 1.26 2.0 2.5 Residential
14 Sutar 3 0.42 0.98 1.4 0.466 Residential
TOTAL 51 9.72 11.11 20.85 0.40

Observations

1. Generally, dry waste comprised of paper towel, newspaper, cardboard, plastic, cotton
rags, glass pieces, rubber soles, metallic tins etc.
2. Wet waste comprised of stale food leftover, vegetable dressings like cauliflower,
cabbage, brinjal, and other leafy non-edible parts, lemon peels, onion scales, egg
shells, banana peels, pomegranate peel, fruit seeds, bones, fish waste, pooja
offerings like flowers, grass etc.

12
 CHAPTER 5

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT

Introduction

Solid waste disposal management is usually referred to the process of collecting and
treating solid waste. It provides solutions for recycling items that do not belong to garbage
or trash. Solid waste management can be described as how solid waste can be changed
and used as a valuable resource.

Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create unsanitary conditions and these
conditions in turn lead to pollution of the environment. Diseases can be spread by rodents
and insects. The tasks of solid waste disposal management are complex technical
challenges. They can also pose a wide variety of economy, administrative and social
problems that must be changed and solved.

Methods of Solid Waste Disposal

Effective Solid Waste Management can be carried out in the following ways –

1. Sanitary landfills

2. Composting

3. Incineration

4. pyrolysis (a process of combustion in the absence of oxygen)

5. Bioremediation or the use of micro-organism (bacteria and fungi)

6. Reuse, reduce, and recycle

Sanitary Landfills

Sanitary landfill, method of controlled disposal of municipal solid waste (refuse) on land.
The method was introduced in England in 1912 (where it is called controlled tipping).
Waste is deposited in thin layers (up to 1 meter, or 3 feet) and promptly compacted by
heavy machinery (e.g., bulldozers); several layers are placed and compacted on top of
each other to form a refuse cell (up to 3 meters, or 10 feet, thick). At the end of each day

13
the compacted refuse cell is covered with a layer of compacted soil to prevent odors and
windblown debris. All modern landfill sites are carefully selected and prepared (e.g.,
sealed with impermeable synthetic bottom liners) to prevent pollution of groundwater or
other environmental problems. When the landfill is completed, it is capped with a layer of
clay or a synthetic liner in order to prevent water from entering. A final topsoil cover is
placed, compacted, and graded, and various forms of vegetation may be planted in order
to reclaim otherwise useless land—e.g., to fill declivities to levels convenient for building
parks, golf courses, or other suitable public projects.

Advantages

Landfills are often the most cost-efficient way to dispose of waste, especially in countries
with large open spaces. While resource recovery and incineration both require extensive
investments in infrastructure, and material recovery also requires extensive manpower to
maintain, landfills have fewer fixed—or ongoing—costs, allowing them to compete
favorably. In addition, landfill gas can be upgraded to natural gas—landfill gas utilization—
which is a potential revenue stream. Another advantage is having a specific location for
disposal that can be monitored, where waste can be processed to remove all recyclable
materials before tipping.

Social & Environmental Impact

Landfills have the potential to cause a number of issues. Infrastructure disruption, such
as damage to access roads by heavy vehicles, may occur. Pollution of local roads and
water courses from wheels on vehicles when they leave the landfill can be significant and
can be mitigated by wheel washing systems. Pollution of the local environment, such as
contamination of groundwater or aquifers or soil contamination may occur, as well.

Types

• Municipal solid waste: takes in household waste and nonhazardous material. Included
in this type of landfill is a Bioreactor Landfill that specifically degrades organic
material.

• Industrial waste: for commercial and industrial waste. Other related landfills include
Construction and Demolition Debris Landfills and Coal Combustion Residual Landfills.

14
• Hazardous waste or PCB waste Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) landfills that are
monitored in the United States by the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA).

Composting

Composting is a process by which organic wastes are broken down by microorganisms,

generally bacteria and fungi, into simpler forms. The microorganisms use the carbon in
the waste as an energy source. The degradation of the nitrogen- containing materials
results in the breakdown of the original materials into a much more uniform product which
can be used as a soil amendment. Heat generated during the process kills many
unwanted organisms such as weed seeds and pathogens.Compost is rich in nutrients. It
is used, for example, in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, urban agriculture and organic
farming.

The compost itself is beneficial for the land in many ways, including as a soil conditioner,
a fertilizer, addition of vital humus or humic acids, and as a natural pesticide for soil.
In ecosystems, compost is useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation,
wetland construction, and as landfill cover.

15
Microorganisms

With the proper mixture of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, micro-organisms are able
to break down organic matter to produce compost. The composting process is dependent
on micro-organisms to break down organic matter into compost. There are many types of
microorganisms found in active compost of which the most common are

• Bacteria- The most numerous of all the microorganisms found in compost. Depending
on the phase of composting, mesophilic or thermophilic bacteria may predominate.

• Actinobacteria- Necessary for breaking down paper products such as

newspaper, bark, etc.

• Fungi- molds and yeast help break down materials that bacteria cannot,
especially lignin in woody material.

• Protozoa- Help consume bacteria, fungi and micro organic particulates.

• Rotifers- Rotifers help control populations of bacteria and small protozoans.

In addition, earthworms not only ingest partly composted material, but also continually re-
create aeration and drainage tunnels as they move through the compost.

Phases of Composting

Under ideal conditions, composting proceeds through three major phases:

• An initial, mesophilic phase, in which the decomposition is carried out under moderate
temperatures by mesophilic microorganisms.

• As the temperature rises, a second, thermophilic phase starts, in which the

decomposition is carried out by various thermophilic bacteria under high
temperatures.

• As the supply of high-energy compounds dwindles, the temperature starts to

decrease, and the mesophylls once again predominate in the maturation phase.

Materials that can be Composted

Organic Solid Waste (Green Waste)

Composting is a process for converting decomposable organic materials into useful stable
products. Therefore, valuable landfill space can be used for other wastes by composting

16
these materials rather than dumping them on landfills. It may however be difficult to
control inert and plastics contamination from municipal solid waste.

Co-composting is a technique that processes organic solid waste together with other input
materials such as dewatered fecal sludge or sewage sludge

Industrial composting systems are being installed to treat organic solid waste and recycle
it rather than landfilling it. It is one example of an advanced waste processing system.
Mechanical sorting of mixed waste streams combined with anaerobic digestion or in-
vessel composting is called mechanical biological treatment. It is increasingly being used
in developed countries due to regulations controlling the amount of organic matter allowed
in landfills. Treating biodegradable waste before it enters a landfill reduces global
warming from fugitive methane; untreated waste breaks down anaerobically in a landfill,
producing landfill gas that contains methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Animal Manure and Bedding

On many farms, the basic composting ingredients are animal manure generated on the
farm and bedding. Straw and sawdust are common bedding materials. Non-traditional
bedding materials are also used, including newspaper and chopped cardboard. The
amount of manure composted on a livestock farm is often determined by cleaning
schedules, land availability, and weather conditions. Each type of manure has its own
physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Cattle and horse manures, when mixed
with bedding, possess good qualities for composting. Swine manure, which is very wet
and usually not mixed with bedding material, must be mixed with straw or similar raw
materials. Poultry manure also must be blended with carbonaceous materials - those low
in nitrogen preferred, such as sawdust or straw.

Human Excreta and Sewage Sludge

Human excreta can also be added as an input to the composting process since human
excreta is a nitrogen-rich organic material. It can be either composted directly, like
in composting toilets, or indirectly (as sewage sludge), after it has undergone treatment
in a sewage treatment plant. Urine can be put on compost piles or directly used as
fertilizer. Adding urine to compost can increase temperatures and therefore increase its
ability to destroy pathogens and unwanted seeds. Unlike feces, urine does not attract
disease-spreading flies (such as houseflies or blowflies), and it does not contain the

17
hardiest of pathogens, such as parasitic worm eggs. Urine usually does not smell for long,
particularly when it is fresh, diluted, or put on sorbents.

Incineration

Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves

the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and
other high-temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment".
Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas and heat. The ash is
mostly formed by the inorganic constituents of the waste and may take the form of solid
lumps or particulates carried by the flue gas. The flue gases must be cleaned of gaseous
and particulate pollutants before they are dispersed into the atmosphere. In some cases,
the heat generated by incineration can be used to generate electric power.

Incinerators reduce the solid mass of the original waste by 80–85% and the volume
(already compressed somewhat in garbage trucks) by 95–96%, depending on
composition and degree of recovery of materials such as metals from the ash for
recycling. This means that while incineration does not completely replace landfilling, it
significantly reduces the necessary volume for disposal. Garbage trucks often reduce the
volume of waste in a built-in compressor before delivery to the incinerator. Alternatively,
at landfills, the volume of the uncompressed garbage can be reduced by approximately
70% by using a stationary steel compressor, albeit with a significant energy cost. In many
countries, simpler waste compaction is a common practice for compaction at landfills.

18
Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is rapidly developing biomass thermal conversion technology and has been
garnering much attention worldwide due to its high efficiency and good eco-friendly
performance characteristics. Pyrolysis technology provides an opportunity for the
conversion of municipal solid wastes, agricultural residues, scrap tires, non-recyclable
plastics etc. into clean energy. It offers an attractive way of converting urban wastes into
products which can be effectively used for the production of heat, electricity and
chemicals.

Pyrolysis of Municipal Wastes

Pyrolysis process consists of both simultaneous and successive reactions when carbon-
rich organic material is heated in a non-reactive atmosphere. Simply speaking, pyrolysis
is the thermal degradation of organic materials in the absence of oxygen. Thermal
decomposition of organic components in the waste stream starts at 350°C–550°C and
goes up to 700°C–800°C in the absence of air/oxygen.

Pyrolysis of municipal wastes begins with mechanical preparation and separation of

glass, metals and inert materials prior to processing the remaining waste in a pyrolysis
reactor. The commonly used pyrolysis reactors are rotary kilns, rotary hearth furnaces,
and fluidized bed furnaces. The process requires an external heat source to maintain the
high temperature required. Pyrolysis can be performed at relatively small-scale which
may help in reducing transport and handling costs. In pyrolysis of MSW, heat transfer is
a critical area as the process is endothermic and sufficient heat transfer surface has to
be provided to meet process heat requirements.

19
Bioremidiation

Bioremediation is a process used to treat contaminated media, including water, soil and
subsurface material, by altering environmental conditions to stimulate growth of
microorganisms and degrade the target pollutants. In many cases, bioremediation is less
expensive and more sustainable than other remediation alternatives. Biological treatment
is a similar approach used to treat wastes including wastewater, industrial waste and solid
waste.

Most bioremediation processes involves oxidation-reduction reactions where either an

electron acceptor (commonly oxygen) is added to stimulate oxidation of a reduced
pollutant (e.g. hydrocarbons) or an electron donor (commonly an organic substrate) is
added to reduce oxidized pollutants (nitrate, perchlorate, oxidized metals, chlorinated
solvents, explosives and propellants).In both these approaches, additional nutrients,
vitamins, minerals, and pH buffers may be added to optimize conditions for the
microorganisms. In some cases, specialized microbial cultures are added
(bioaugmentation) to further enhance biodegradation. Some examples of bioremediation
related technologies
are phytoremediation, mycoremediation, bioventing, bioleaching, landfarming, bioreacto
r, composting, bioaugmentation, hypofiltration, and bio stimulation.

Reuse, Reduce and Recycle Waste Hierarchy

20
It is the order of priority of actions to be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated,
and to improve overall waste management processes and programs. The waste hierarchy
consists of 3 R’s as follows:

• Reduce

• Reuse

• Recycle

Called the “three R’s” of waste management, this waste hierarchy is the guidance
suggested for creating a sustainable life. You might be wondering as to how can you
incorporate these principles in your daily life. They are not hard to implement. All you
need is to bring a small change in your daily lifestyle to reduce waste so that less amount
of it goes to the landfill that can reduce your carbon footprint.

Reduce

The concept of reducing what is produced and what is consumed is essential to the waste
hierarchy. The logic behind it is simple to understand – if there is less waste, then there
is less to recycle or reuse. The process of reducing begins with an examination of what
you are using, and what it is used for. There are three simple steps to assessing the
reduction value of an item or process –

• Is there something else that can be used for this purpose? Using multi-use items is
essential to beginning reduction. One example would be a coffeepot and a cappuccino
maker. Both of them do distinctly different things, but you can buy a coffeepot that has
a steaming attachment on it so it can do both. The purchase of the one item means
that you don’t use two. It reduces the amount of production, and the amount of waste
packaging material that will be generated.

• Is this something that needs to be done? A lot of our waste material comes from items
that are considered to be “disposable.” Not in the sense that you use something once
and then throw it away, that can actually be a part of environmental
responsibility when you are working with medical items – disposable in this sense
means whether or not what the item allows you to do has any real meaning or purpose.

21
• Is the item a part of something that you need to do, or want to do in your life? There
is a limit to what you need to be prepared for in life. Chances are you won’t need a
car that is equipped to handle a sandstorm in the desert. Buying one encourages
production, wastes your resources and creates more generative waste than you can
imagine. Always make sure that what you consume, or keep in your life as preparation
– matches the reality of potential opportunity in your life.

Here are some of things you can do to reduce the waste:

1. Print on both sides of the paper to reduce paper wastage.

2. Use electronic mail to reach out to people instead of sending paper mail.

3. Remove your name from the mailing lists that you no longer want to receive.

4. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.

5. Avoid using disposable plates, spoons, glass, cups and napkins. They add to the
problem and result in large amount of waste.

6. Avoid buying items that are over-packaged with foil, paper, and plastic. This excess
packaging goes to waste.

7. Buy durable goods that have long warranty. They generally run longer and save landfill
space.

Number 3 deals with the problems created by living within a culture of consumerism. This
type of consumption driven culture also makes fulfilling the second “R” difficult, but it is
getting easier to do.

Reuse

You may have a box of things you keep that are broken or that you don’t have a use for
that you hang on to in-case you find another use for them; or you may find bargains on
old furniture or go trash picking and get things that you can refinish – in either case you
are working towards reusing the item. Learning to reuse items, or re-purpose them for a
use different than what they are intended for is essential in waste hierarchy.

One of the best examples for how this is being done today is the modular construction of
homes and office buildings that is being created out of discarded shipping containers.
These large, semi-truck sized metal containers represent a huge waste problem.

22
Repurposing them as homes and offices saves them from the landfills and doesn’t require
the additional expenditure of nature resources to melt down and reconfigure the metals
used to create them.

You may either reuse those items for your own use or donate so that others can use
them. You can reuse below items like:

1. Old jars and pots: Old jars and pots can be used to store items in kitchen. They can
also be used to store loose items together such as computer wires.

2. Tires: Old tires can either be sent to recycling station or can be used to make tyre-
swing.

3. Used wood: Used wood can be used as firewood or can be used woodcrafts.

4. Newspaper: Old newspapers can be used to pack items when you’re planning to
move to another home or store old items.

5. Envelopes: Old and waste envelopes can be used by children to make short notes.

6. Waste paper: Waste paper can be used to make notes and sketches and can be send
to recycling center when you don’t need them anymore.

Items that can be donated to others include:

1. Old books: Your old books can be used by poor children or can be donated to public

libraries.

2. Old clothes: Your unwanted clothes can be used by street children or can be donated

to charity institutions.

3. Old electric equipment: Old electric equipment can be donated to schools or NGO’s

so that they can use them.

4. Rechargeable batteries: Rechargeable batteries can be used again and again and

helps to reduce unnecessary wastage as opposed to regular batteries.

Apart from this, you can build a compost bin and reuse many waste items like used tea
bags. The waste then degrades and turns into compost that help your plants grow and
shine.

23
Recycle

The last stage of the waste hierarchy is to recycle. To recycle something means that it
will be transformed again into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item. There
are very few materials on the earth that cannot be recycled. One of the issues facing
communities that want to become more involved with a recycling effort is that while the
relying collection and sorting process may be affordable to implement, there still has to
be a facility to receive and transform the discarded waste into a raw material. More
progress is being made toward uniting recycling plants with industries that can process
the waste material through agreements and incentive credits.

One need to learn as to what products can be recycled and what not. By carefully
choosing the products that can be recycled, can be a first step towards efficient recycling.

1. Buy products from market that are made up of recycled materials i.e. the product
should be environment friendly.

2. Buy products that can be recycled such as glass jars.

3. Invent new ways to recycle different items.

4. Avoid buying hazardous materials that could pose difficulty for you to recycle. Buy
non-toxic products, whenever possible.

5. Buy products that have been made from recycled material.

6. Use recycled paper for printing or making paper handicrafts

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 CHAPTER 6

BIOMEDICAL WASTE

Introduction

Any solid or liquid waste which may present a threat of infection to humans is defined as
‘Bio-medical waste’. The term includes, but is not limited to non-liquid tissue or body parts
from humans and other primates, laboratory and veterinary wastes which contains human
disease causing agents, used and discarded sharps, blood, blood products and body fluid
from humans and other primates.5 The following are also included : Used absorbent
materials saturated with blood, body fluids or excretions/ secretions contaminated with
blood and absorbent materials saturated with blood or blood products that have dried.
Absorbent material includes items such as bandage, gauze and sharps. Non-absorbent
disposable devices which have been contaminated excretions or secretions. Specimen
samples collected from laboratory testing or used in medical research are not considered
‘Bio-medical waste’ until such time as the material is designated as a waste.

Sources of Bio Medical Waste In Kolhapur City

The sources of bio-medical waste in Kolhapur municipal area are private hospitals,
government hospitals, KMC hospitals, pathological laboratories, and blood banks etc.
There are 647 private indoor and outdoor hospitals, 2 government hospitals and25
municipal hospitals. As well as 29 pathological laboratories and 01 animal dispensary are
in the Kolhapur Municipal area. Shows the number of private, government and municipal
hospitals with their bed capacities. There are in all 708 patient treating units in Kolhapur.
Their bed strength is 3,324. These are the sources of bio-medical waste in Kolhapur. As
per the report of KMC each bed per day generate 0.250 Kg. bio-medical waste per day.
Table also shows the generation of bio-medical waste in Kolhapur municipal area.

25
 Sources of Bio-Medical Waste Generation with their Bed Strength

Source of bio medical Number of Generation of bio medical

Units
waste generation beds waste per day (in kg)

Private Hospitals 647 2273 568.25

Government Hospitals 02 715 178.75

Municipal Hospitals 25 262 65.5

Pathological Labs 29 58 14.5

Blood Banks 04 16 4.0

Animal Dispensary 01 - 0.250

Total 3324 831.0 kg

Source : Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (2001)

Classification of Bio-Medical Waste by KMC

The bio-medical waste generated is of two types, one of hazardous bio-medical waste
and the other is non-hazardous bio-medical waste.

1. Hazardous Bio-medical Waste

The hazardous bio-medical waste is that, which affects the both the human and the
animals. The hazardous bio-medical waste is of two types i.e. infectious and non-
infectious. Infectious waste include sharps, needles, scalper, blades, scalp, veins, glass
contaminated with blood. Non-infectious waste include cytotoxic drugs, toxic chemicals
and radioactive. Infectious waste is of plastic and non-plastic type. The PVC, PE, PET,
PS and equipment are of plastics and contaminated cotton waste, gauze- linen are non-
plastic type of bio-medical waste

2. Non-hazardous Bio-medical Waste

Non-hazardous waste include kitchen waste and recyclables. The patients contaminated
waste are infectious in nature. At present 647 private hospitals with its 2273 bed strength,
02 government hospital with its 715 bed strength, 25 Municipal hospital with its 262 bed

26
strength, 29 pathological labs with 58 beds strength, 4 blood banks with 16 bed strength,
and 01 animal dispensary generate 831 Kg. biomedical waste per day in Kolhapur. The
bio-medical waste generated in Kolhapur is thrown in municipal dust bins generally.
Sometimes it is burnt at road sides.

Bio-medical waste is major contributor to the pollution, the intensity of which is increasing
day-by-day. Recently Government of India amended a new resolution as ‘Bio-medical
Waste Rules, 1998’, under which it was made mandatory for medical professionals to
dispose off bio-medical waste at their own responsibility. Thus, the treatment and disposal
of such wastes was a true challenge for all the environmentalists, doctors and medical
practitioners. The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation took the initiative to create awareness
about the present scenario among the medical professionals. They emphasized the fact
that the doctors themselves have to take steps for such project providing common facility
for bio-medical waste disposal. The Kolhapur Medical Association accepted the situation
as a challenge and speed up the process of thinking through a series of meetings and
discussing the different dimensions of subject matter so as to have consensus on how to
combat the situation. After a lot of home work it was decided to establish independent
organisation. The Kolhapur Medical Association took the lead in this regard and set up
an organisation entitled “DAAS Enterprises”.

The good thing of this project was that it was completed within two months. This is the
first project of its kind in our country, implemented well in advance before the last
scheduled date i.e. 31st December, 2001.

27
 Bio Medical Waste

Hazardous
Non Hazardous

Non Infectious Infectious

Kitchen
Cytotoxic Drugs
Recyclables

Toxic
Chemical
Radioactive

Sharp Non Sharps

Needles Laboratory Waste

Patient
Scaplel contaminated
Blades waste Specimens
Scalp
Anatomical
Veins
Glass Contaminated with
blood

Plastics Non Plastics

PVC
PE Contaminated
PET cotton waste gauge
, linen
PS

28
Effects of Bio-medical Wastes

The improper management in bio-medical waste causes stern environmental problems

that causes to air, water and land pollution. The pollutants that cause damage can be
classified into biological, chemical and radioactive. There are several legislations and
guidelines in India concerning environmental problems, which can be addressed. The
classification of radioactive waste generated as part of bio-medical waste is covered.
Some of the effects of pollution on air, radio activities, land, health and hazards are
discussed.

Air Pollution

Air pollution can be caused in both indoors and outdoors atmosphere. Biomedical waste
that are generated by air pollution are been classified in three types namely-Biological,
Chemical and radioactive.

In-door air pollution

Pathogens present in the waste can enter and remain in the air for a long period in the
form of spores or as pathogens Segregation of waste, pre-treatment at source etc., can
also reduce this problem to a great extent. Sterilizing the rooms will also help in checking
the indoor air pollution due to biological . The indoor air pollution caused due to the above
chemicals from poor ventilation can cause diseases like Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Proper building design and well-maintained air conditioners can reduce the SBS.
Chemicals should be utilized as per prescribed norms. Over use of chemicals should be
avoided .

Out-door air pollution

Outdoor air pollution can be caused by pathogens. The biomedical waste without pre-
treatment if transported outside the institution, or if it is dumped in open areas, pathogens
can enter into the atmosphere. Chemical pollutants that cause outdoor air pollution have
two major sources-open burning and incinerators. Open burning of bio-medical waste is
the most harmful practice. When inhaled can cause respiratory diseases. Certain organic
gases such as dioxins and furans are carcinogenic . The design parameters and

29
maintenance of such treatment and disposal technology should be as per the prescribed
standards .

Radioactive Emissions

Most of the tertiary care hospitals use radioisotopes for diagnostics and therapeutic
application. Safe disposal of the radioactive waste is a vital component of the overall
management of the hospital waste. An important objective in radioactive waste
management is to ensure that the radiation exposure to an individual (Public Radiation
worker , patient ) and the environment does not exceed the prescribed Safe limits.
Disposal of Radioactive waste in public domain is undertaken in accordance with the
Atomic energy (Safe disposal of radioactive waste ) rules of 1987 promulgated by the
Indian Central Government Atomic Energy Act 1962. Any prospective plan of a hospital
the intends using radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures needs to have
sufficient infrastructural and manpower resources to keep its ambient radiation levels
within specified safe limits. Regular monitoring of hospital area and radiation workers is
mandatory to assess the quality of radiation safety. Records should be maintained to
identify the quality and quantity of radioactive waste generated and the mode of its
disposal .Radiation safety officer plays a key role in the waste disposal operations.

Water Pollution

The liquid waste generated when let into sewers can also lead to water pollution if not
treated properly . Water pollution can alter parameters such as pH, BOD, DO, COD, etc.
There are instances where dioxins are reported from water bodies near incinerator plants.
Dioxins enter the water body from the air. Radioactive effluent Radioactive waste in liquid
form can come from chemical or biological research, from body organ imaging, from
decontamination of radioactive spills, from patient’s urine and from scintillation liquids
used in radioimmunoassay.

Land Pollution

Soil pollution from bio-medical waste is caused due to infectious waste, discarded
medicines, chemicals used in treatment and ash and other waste generated during
treatment processes. Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury etc., which are
present in the waste will get absorbed by plants and can then enter the food chain.

30
Nitrates and phosphates present in leachates from landfills are also pollutants. Excessive
amounts of trace nutrient elements and other elements including heavy metals in soil are
harmful to crops and are also harmful to animals and human beings. Minimizing the waste
and proper treatment before disposal on land are the only ways of reducing this kind of
pollution.

Basic Data :

An exhaustive survey was conducted before actual design of plant. In Kolhapur city there
are about 650 doctors and 708 biomedical waste generating units providing 3324 beds.
In all 831.0 Kg. bio-medical waste is generated per day in Kolhapur city.

Bio-Medical Waste Disposal Project

The salient features of the bio-medical waste disposal project are :

1. The method adopted for collection and segregation is systematic (details are given
below)
2. The basic treatment procedure is in the form of destruction of biomedical waste
through a process of combustion, i.e. incineration.
3. The plant is having area of 10,000 Sq. Fts. and potential capacity of 50 Kg/hr.
4. The method of disposal is environmental friendly.
5. The plant is located at Kasaba Bawada, behind Circuit House, Kolhapur, and the land
and water supply has been provided for Kolhapur Municipal Corporation.
6. The cost of project per Kg. of waste including transportation, storage and incineration
treatment is Rs. 10/-. The project is to be operated on build, operate and transfer
(BOT) principle.

Project Details

The details of bio-medical waste disposal project for a Kolhapur are as below :

§ Segregation:

To minimize the volume of waste and multiple treatment, DAAS Enterprises emphasizes
on segregation at source. Segregation is done on the basis of type of waste. In this
process they have provided different colour bags meant for different class of bio-medical
wastes.

31
 Segregation with Colour Bags

No. Colour Bag Type Of biomedical waste

1 Yellow Bag body parts, organs saturated with body fluids

Spirit gauges, dressing material, bandages,

2 Red Bag
plasters, pads etc.

Saline bottles, saline sets, catheters, urine

3 Blue Bag bags, feeding tubes, drains, disposable
syringes, scalp veins, gloves

Blades, needles, broken glass, ampoules

4 White Bag
another sharp

§ Collection

Bags are collected once in a day from hospitals and clinics. Collection starts early in the
morning. A specially designed auto is used for collecting and transporting the waste from ,
hospitals and clinics to the sites . Enclosed compartments are made within itself to hold
the segregated matter separately .The auto runs on the scheduled route and collects the
waste.

§ Storage:

For temporary storage, big PVC containers are used. The segregated waste is stored in
the appropriate containers with same colour code. The waste is stored for not more than
8 hours.

32
§ Actual Treatment:

The incinerator unit as shown in figure is installed for further treatment.

Working of Incinerator :

1. Primary Combustion Chamber :

This is the first zone in which the waste material is burnt at about 800 c. The purpose of
this primary combustion is to kill most of the bacteria.

2. Secondary Combustion Chamber :

The vapours resulting from primary combustion are subjected to a higher temperature of
1050°C about 80 to 90% destruction of biomedical wastes. Before the first charging the
panel board raises the temperature of chamber up to an ambient temperature and then it
is raised for further process. The chamber is then cooled until 350°C is reached and then
second charging is done.

3. Diluter:

The vapours generated in the secondary chamber are highly concentrated with carbon
and ash. In scrubber diluter unit the concentration of ash and carbon is lowered by missing
it with air and water. A very low quantity of ash is settle at the bottom of tank and clean
gas is pass towards air cyclone unit. For cooling purpose circulating water system is used
for effective cooling part of hot water is carried to the fountain and the recirculated after
cooling.

33
4. Air Cyclone Separator :

The vapour is then cooled with the help of air cyclone arrangement they are pushed
towards the chimney (100 ft. high).

§ Disposal of End Products :

The ash left behind, at the end is non-hazardous and can be used as fertilizer. The waste
water is used for gardening. Gases released in the process which are almost clean at the
end are release in the atmosphere. Plastic and glass material which are not subjected to
combustion of broken into small pieces in the scrubber machine. After disinfecting they
are recycled. For disposal of sharps small objects, units are installed in every hospital.

§ Economics:

The economics of the present bio-medical waste disposal is as follows :

i) The machine installed in incineration plant is manufactured by Hiranya Equipment and

its cost is Rs.18,00,00/-

ii) The estimated cost of total project is Rs.30,00,000/-

iii) It is also proposed to install one more unit if the quantity of wastes increased.

iv) It is decided to take a contribution from all medical practitioners as per the medical
facilities they provide, to cope up with the installation charges of incineration unit.

Problems Related to Biomedical Waste

I. A major issue related to current biomedical waste management in hospitals is that

the implementation of bio waste regulation is unsatisfactory as some hospitals are
disposing of waste in haphazard in proper and indiscriminate manner. Lack of
segregation practise results in mixing of hospital waste with general waste making
the whole waste stream hazardous. Inappropriate segregation ultimate results in
an incorrect method of waste disposal.

II. Inadequate biomedical waste management thus we will cause environmental

pollution unpleasant smell, growth and multiplication of vectors like insects, worms
and may lead to transmission of diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and AIDS
through injuries from syringes and needles contaminated with human.

34
III. Various communicable diseases, which spread through water, sweat, blood, body
fluids and contaminated organs, are important to be prevented. The Bio Medical
Waste scattered in and around the hospitals invites flies, insects, rodents, cats and
dogs that are responsible for the spread of communication disease like plague and
rabies. Rag pickers in the hospital, sorting out the garbage are at a risk of getting
tetanus and HIV infections. The recycling of disposable syringes, needles, IV sets
and other article like glass bottles without proper sterilization are responsible for
Hepatitis, HIV, and other viral diseases. It becomes primary responsibility of Health
administrators to manage hospital waste in most safe and eco-friendly manner.

IV. The problem of bio-medical waste disposal in the hospitals and other healthcare
establishments has become an issue of increasing concern, prompting hospital
administration to seek new ways of scientific, safe and cost-effective management
of the waste, and keeping their personnel informed about the advances in this
area. The need of proper hospital waste management system is of prime
importance and is an essential component of quality assurance in hospitals.

Bio-Medical Waste Management – A Case Study

Data of Biomedical Waste Generation at City Hospital, Rajarampuri

8th Lane, Kolhapur

To study the trend of biomedical waste generation, we visited a hospital in Rajarampuri,

Kolhapur. From the hospital’s records, we obtained the following data. The table
illustrates daily waste generation in the hospital for 7 consecutive days.

35
SR. Weight (in Kg) Total
Date
NO. Yellow Blue Red (in Kg)

1 01-07-2018 5 2 11 18

2 02-07-2018 8 3 6 17

3 03-07-2018 9 2 12 23

4 04-07-2018 10 1 8 19

5 05-07-2018 12 3 5 20

6 06-07-2018 12 3 8 23

7 07-07-2018 11 5 20 36

TOTAL 67 19 70 156

36
 CHAPTER 7

ELECTRONIC WASTE

Introduction

Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used

electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also
considered e-waste. Informal processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to
adverse human health effects and environmental pollution. Electronic scrap components,
such as CPUs, contain potentially harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, beryllium,
or brominates flame retardants. Recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve
significant risk to health of workers and communities in developed countries and great
care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaking of
materials such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes

37
Definition

E-waste or electronic waste is created when an electronic product is discarded after the
end of its useful life. The rapid expansion of technology means that a very large amount
of e-waste is created every minute.

Electronic waste or e-waste may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic

equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets,
and refrigerators. This includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale,
salvage, recycling, or disposal as well as re-usable and secondary scraps (copper, steel,
plastic, etc.). The term “waste” is reserved for residue or material which is dumped by the
buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations,
because loads of surplus electronics are frequently commingled. Several public policy
advocates apply the term “e-waste” and “e-scrap” broadly to all surplus
electronics. Cathode ray tubes are considered one of the hardest types to recycle.

CRTs have relatively high concentration of lead and phosphors, both of which are
necessary for the display. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
includes discarded CRT monitors in its category of “hazardous household waste” but
considers CRTs that have been set aside for testing to be commodities if they are not
discarded, speculatively accumulated, or left unprotected from weather and other
damage. These CRT devices are often confused between the DLP Rear Projection TV,
both of which have a different recycling process due to the materials they are composed
of.

The high value of the computer recycling subset of electronic waste (working and
reusable laptops, desktops, and components like RAM) can help pay the cost of
transportation for a larger number of worthless pieces than can be achieved with display

38
devices, which have less (or negative) scrap value. In A 2011 report, “Ghana E-Waste
Country Assessment”, found that of 215,000 tons of electronics imported to Ghana, 30%
were brand new and 70% were used. Of the used product, the study concluded that 15%
was not reused and was scrapped or discarded. This contrasts with published but
unaccredited claims that 80% of the imports into Ghana were being burned in primitive
conditions.

Amount of Electronic Waste Worldwide

Rapid changes in technology, changes in media (tapes, software, MP3), falling prices,
and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste
around the globe. Technical solutions are available, but in most cases, a legal framework,
a collection, logistics, and other services need to be implemented before a technical
solution can be applied.

Display units (CRT, LCD, LED monitors), processors (CPU, GPU, or APU chips), memory
(DRAM or SRAM), and audio components have different useful lives. Processors are
most frequently outdated (by software no longer being optimized) and are more likely to
become “e-waste” while display units are most often replaced while working without repair
attempts, due to changes in wealthy nation appetites for new display technology. This
problem could potentially be solved with modular smart phones or Phonebooks. These
types of phones are more durable and have the technology to change certain parts of the
phone making them more environmentally friendly. Being able to simply replace the part
of the phone that is broken will reduce e-waste. An estimated 50 million tons of E-waste
are produced each year. The USA discards 30 million computers each year and 100
million phones are disposed of in Europe each year. The Environmental Protection
Agency estimates that only 15–20% of e-waste is recycled; the rest of these electronics
go directly into landfills and incinerators.

United Nations estimated the amount of worldwide electronic waste discarded each year
to be 50 million metric tons. According to a report by UNEP titled, “Recycling – from E-
Waste to Resources,” the amount of e-waste being produced – including mobile phones
and computers – could rise by as much as 500 percent over the next decade in some
countries, such as India. The United States is the world leader in producing electronic
waste, tossing away about 3 million tons each year. China already produces about

39
2.3 million tons domestically, second only to the United States. And, despite having
banned e-waste imports, China remains a major e-waste dumping ground for developed
countries.

Environmental Impact

The processes of dismantling and disposing of electronic waste in developing countries

led to a number of environmental impacts. Liquid and atmospheric releases end up in
bodies of water, groundwater, soil, and air and therefore in land and sea animals – both
domesticated and wild, in crops eaten by both animals and human, and in drinking water.

One study of environmental effects in Guiyu, China found the following:

• Airborne dioxins – one type found at 100 times levels previously measured

• Levels of carcinogens in duck ponds and rice paddies exceeded international

standards for agricultural areas and cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead levels in
rice paddies were above international standards

• Heavy metals found in road dust – lead over 300 times that of a control village’s
road dust and copper over 100 times

40
The environmental impact of the processing of different electronic waste
components
E Waste Component
Cathode ray tubes (used in
TVs, computer monitors,
ATM, video cameras, and
more)
Printed circuit board (image
behind table – a thin plate on
which chips and other
electronic components are
placed)
Chips and other gold-plated
components
Plastics from printers,
keyboards, monitors, etc.
Computer wires
Process Used
Breaking and removal of
yoke, then dumping
De-soldering and removal of
computer chips; open burning
and acid baths to remove
metals after chips are
removed.
Chemical stripping using
nitric and hydrochloric acid
and burning of chips
Shredding and low temp
melting to be reused
Open burning and stripping to
remove copper
41
Potential Environmental
Hazards
Lead, barium and other heavy
metals leaching into the
ground water and release of
toxic phosphor
Air emissions and discharge
into rivers of glass dust, tin,
lead, brominated dioxin,
beryllium cadmium, and
mercury
PAHs, heavy metals,
brominated flame retardants
discharged directly into rivers
acidifying fish and flora. Tin
and lead contamination of
surface and groundwater. Air
emissions of brominated
dioxins, heavy metals, and
PAHs
Emissions of brominated
dioxins, heavy metals, and
hydrocarbons
PAHs released into air, water,
and soil.
E Waste Management

E-waste can be managed by properly disposing and managing your electronic waste. We
should give our waste to the e waste dealers and should follow the precautions as they
contain many heavy metals.

Recycling

One of the major challenges is recycling the printed circuit boards from the electronic
wastes. The circuit boards contain such precious metals as gold, silver, platinum, etc. and
such base metals as copper, iron, aluminum, etc. One-way e-waste is processed is by
melting circuit boards, burning cable sheathing to recover copper wire and open- pit acid
leaching for separating metals of value. Conventional method employed is mechanical
shredding and separation but the recycling efficiency is low. Alternative methods such
as cryogenic decomposition have been studied for printed circuit board recycling, and
some other methods are still under investigation. Properly disposing of or reusing
electronics can help prevent health problems, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and
create jobs. Reuse and refurbishing offer a more environmentally friendly and socially
conscious alternative to down cycling processes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages electronic recyclers to become

certified by demonstrating to an accredited, independent third-party auditor that they meet
specific standards to safely recycle and manage electronics. This should work so as to
ensure the highest environmental standards are being maintained. Two certifications for
electronic recyclers currently exist and are endorsed by the EPA. Customers are
encouraged to choose certified electronics recyclers. Responsible electronics recycling
reduces environmental and human health impacts, increases the use of reusable and
refurbished equipment and reduces energy use while conserving limited resources. The
two EPA-endorsed certification programs are Responsible Recyclers Practices and E-
Stewards. Certified companies ensure they are meeting strict environmental standards
which maximize reuse and recycling, minimize exposure to human health or the
environment, ensure safe management of materials and require destruction of all data
used on electronics. Certified electronics recyclers have demonstrated through audits
and other means that they continually meet specific high environmental standards and
safely manage used electronics. Once certified, the recycler is held to the particular

42
standard by continual oversight by the independent accredited certifying body. A
certification board accredits and oversees certifying bodies to ensure that they meet
specific responsibilities and are competent to audit and provide certification.

Some U.S. retailers offer opportunities for consumer recycling of discarded electronic
devices. In the US, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) urges consumers to
dispose properly of end-of-life electronics through its recycling locator at
www.GreenerGadgets.org. This list only includes manufacturer and retailer programs that
use the strictest standards and third-party certified recycling locations, to provide
consumers assurance that their products will be recycled safely and responsibly. CEA
research has found that 58 percent of consumers know where to take their end-of-life
electronics, and the electronics industry would very much like to see that level of
awareness increase. Consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers sponsor or
operate more than 5,000 recycling locations nationwide and have vowed to recycle one
billion pounds annually by 2016, a sharp increase from 300 million pounds industry
recycled in 2010.

The Sustainable Materials Management Electronic Challenge was created by the United
States. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Participants of the Challenge are
manufacturers of electronics and electronic retailers. These companies collect end-of-life
(EOL) electronics at various locations and send them to a certified, third-party recycler.
Program participants are then able publicly promote and report 100% responsible
recycling for their companies. The Electronics Takeback Coalition is a campaign aimed
at protecting human health and limiting environmental effects where electronics are being
produced, used, and discarded. The ETBC aims to place responsibility for disposal of
technology products on electronic manufacturers and brand owners, primarily through
community promotions and legal enforcement initiatives. It provides recommendations for
consumer recycling and a list of recyclers judged environmentally responsible. While
there have been major benefits from the rise in recycling and waste collection created by
producers and consumers, such as valuable materials being recovered and kept away
from landfill and incineration, there are still many problems present with the EPR system
including “how to ensure proper enforcement of recycling standards, what to do about
waste with positive net value, and the role of competition, Many stakeholders agreed
there needs to be a higher standard of accountability and efficiency to improve the

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systems of recycling everywhere, as well as the growing amount of waste being an
opportunity more so than downfall since it gives us more chances to create an efficient
system. To make recycling competition more cost-effective, the producers agreed that
there needs to be a higher drive for competition because it allows them to have a wider
range of producer responsibility organizations to choose from for e-waste recycling.

The Certified Electronics Recycler program for electronic recyclers is a comprehensive,

integrated management system standard that incorporates key operational and continual
improvement elements for quality, environmental and health and safety performance. The
grassroots Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition promotes human health and addresses
environmental justice problems resulting from toxins in technologies. The World Reuse,
Repair, and Recycling Association (wr3a.org) is an organization dedicated to improving
the quality of exported electronics, encouraging better recycling standards in importing
countries, and improving practices through “Fair Trade” principles. Take Back My TV is a
project of The Electronics Takeback Coalition and grades television manufacturers to find
out which are responsible, in the coalition’s view, and which are not.

There have also been efforts to raise awareness of the potentially hazardous conditions
of the dismantling of e-waste in American prisons. The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition,
prisoner-rights activists, and environmental groups released a Toxic Sweatshops report
that details how prison labor is being used to handle e-waste, resulting in health
consequences among the workers. These groups allege that, since prisons do not have
adequate safety standards, inmates are dismantling the products under unhealthy and
unsafe conditions.

Processing Techniques

In many developed countries, electronic waste processing usually first involves

dismantling the equipment into various parts (metal frames, power supplies, circuit
boards, plastics), often by hand, but increasingly by automated shredding equipment. A
typical example is the NADIN electronic waste processing plant in Novi Iskar, Bulgaria—
the largest facility of its kind in Eastern Europe. The advantages of this process are the
human’s ability to recognize and save working and repairable parts, including chips,
transistors, RAM, etc. The disadvantage is that the labor is cheapest in countries with the
lowest health and safety standards.

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In an alternative bulk system, a hopper conveys material for shredding into an
unsophisticated mechanical separator, with screening and granulating machines to
separate constituent metal and plastic fractions, which are sold to smelters or plastics
recyclers. Such recycling machinery is enclosed and employs a dust collection system.
Some of the emissions are caught by scrubbers and screens. Magnets, eddy currents,
and Trammel screens are employed to separate glass, plastic, and ferrous and
nonferrous metals, which can then be further separated at a smelter.

Leaded glass from CRTs is reused in car batteries, ammunition, and lead wheel weights,
or sold to foundries as a fluxing agent in processing raw lead ore. Copper, gold,
palladium, silver and tin are valuable metals sold to smelters for recycling. Hazardous
smoke and gases are captured, contained and treated to mitigate environmental threat.
These methods allow for safe reclamation of all valuable computer construction materials.
Hewlett-Packard product recycling solutions manager Renee St. Denis describes its
process as: “We move them through giant shredders about 30 feet tall and it shreds
everything into pieces about the size of a quarter. Once your disk drive is shredded into
pieces about this big, it’s hard to get the data off”. An ideal electronic waste recycling
plant combines dismantling for component recovery with increased cost-effective
processing of bulk electronic waste. Reuse is an alternative option to recycling because
it extends the lifespan of a device. Devices still need eventual recycling, but by allowing
others to purchase used electronics, recycling can be postponed and value gained from
device use.

Benefits of Recycling

Recycling raw materials from end-of-life electronics is the most effective solution to the
growing e-waste problem. Most electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including
metals that can be recovered for future uses. By dismantling and providing reuse
possibilities, intact natural resources are conserved and air and water pollution caused
by hazardous disposal is avoided. Additionally, recycling reduces the amount of
greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacturing of new products. Another benefit
of recycling e-waste is that many of the materials can be recycled and re-used again.
Materials that can be recycled include “ferrous (iron-based) and non-ferrous metals,
glass, and various types of plastic.” “Non-ferrous metals, mainly aluminum and copper
can all be re-smelted and re-manufactured. Ferrous metals such as steel and iron can be

45
also be re-used.” Due to the recent surge in popularity in 3D printing, certain 3D printers
have been designed (FDM variety) to produce waste that can be easily recycled which
decreases the amount of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. The excess plastic from
these printers that comes out as a byproduct can also be reused to create new 3D printed
creations.

Benefits of recycling are extended when responsible recycling methods are used. In the
U.S., responsible recycling aims to minimize the dangers to human health and the
environment that disposed and dismantled electronics can create. Responsible recycling
ensures best management practices of the electronics being recycled, worker health and
safety, and consideration for the environment locally and abroad. In Europe, metals that
are recycled are returned to companies of origin at a reduced cost. Through a committed
recycling system, manufacturers in Japan have been pushed to make their products more
sustainable. Since many companies were responsible for the recycling of their own
products, this imposed responsibility on manufacturers requiring many to redesign their
infrastructure. As a result, manufacturers in Japan have the added option to sell the
recycled metals.

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 CHAPTER 8

CASE STUDY : SINGAPORE’S GARBAGE DISPOSAL

SYSTEM - A LESSON FOR THE WORLD

Singapore's Pulau Semakau disposes off their garbage in the most fascinating way. In an
actual 'island' which is the world's first ecological offshore landfill. This landfill is specially
designed by engineers and environmentalists from Singapore's National Environment
Agency (NEA).

Established in 1999, this landfill costed about $400 million and can hold up to 63 million
cubic meters of trash which is good enough for Singapore to dispose off their trash till
2040.

Contrary to popular belief that Semakau Landfill would be another dirty and smelly landfill,
the care put into the design and operational work at the landfill has ensured that the site
is clean, free of smell and scenic. During construction, silt screens were installed to
ensure that the corals were not affected during the reclamation works.

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Semakau Landfill is filled mainly with ash produced by Singapore's four incineration
plants, which incinerate the country's waste, shipped there in a covered barge (to prevent
the ash from getting blown into the air) every night.

The water between the two islands is divided into cells. These cells are drained before
the ash fills them. Thereafter, it is covered with soil so that the birds and insects can
pollinate and nourish the plants.

The wastewater treatment plant is lined with an impermeable membrane to prevent the
harmful substances from leaking into the surrounding waters.

Before the ash-filled water is discharged into the sea, the wastewater treatment plant
makes sure that it is properly treated. Regular water testing is carried out to ensure the
integrity of the impermeable liners.

This landfill attracts a lot of rare species of birds and animals. In fact, it is one of the best
places in Singapore for bird-watching.

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 CHAPTER 9

CONCLUSION

This project focuses on solid waste management practices in Kolhapur and is mainly
concerned with residential and biomedical areas. With the rapid growth in population,
there has been a subsequent rise in waste generation of Kolhapur city. Although the
government is taking measures to control and treat the waste, they have been proved to
be inefficient as piles of garbage can be seen on roadsides, trash is dumped in rivers
which leads to pollution of our natural resources. There is no proper co-ordination
between various departments of Health and Sanitation Department which has led to this
present condition.

It has also been observed that segregation of dry and wet waste is not been segregated
by people or the concerned authorities. Thus, this subsequently affects the further
processes of treatment. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste should be
approached in different ways, but due to lack of resources and awareness, people fail to
do so. There is also a restriction on burning the solid waste but it is still practiced in some
areas of the city. The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation’s solid waste management project
at Kasba Bavda is presently inactive. Zoom Biofertilizers Pvt. Ltd is not taking sufficient
measures to combat the rapidly increasing quantities of waste. As a result, huge heaps
of waste can be seen in the area.

In case of biomedical waste, necessary precautions are being taken for the treatment. At
source segregation of waste in color coded bins is mandatory for hospitals otherwise they
can be penalized for not doing the same. Local authorities are also trying their best to
ensure proper disposal of biomedical waste by regularly updating the guidelines for its
treatment.

In case of electronic waste, there is a need to establish a convenient, proper and safe
medium for its disposal. Due to the unavailability of resources and lack of knowledge,
people tend to dispose the e-waste in harmful and unsafe ways. As a result, harmful
elements from the machines find their way in the environment and have many negative
impacts. But nowadays, many technological companies which are concerned with
manufacturing and distribution of electronic gadgets are accepting old and used gadgets

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to recycle them and to reuse some components. This needs to be practiced on a large
scale and should be equally welcomed by the people.

Analyzing the present conditions of Kolhapur city, we feel that there is an urgent need for
change. The local authorities and people should work together to combat the existing
problems which are a result of careless solid waste management practices. Segregation
of waste at source, proper transportation, collection and disposal techniques and
awareness among people can ensure

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

REFERENCES

1. Tchobanoglous, G., Theisen, H., Vigil, A., (1993), ‘Integrated Solid Waste
Management, Engineering principles and Management Issues, McGraw Hill
International Editions, Civil Engineering Series, P. 7.

2. Supreme Court of India Committee, (March, 1999), Report on Solid Waste

Management in Class-I Cities in India, P. 15 of Chapter-2.

3. Panjwani, P.U., (1998), Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Municipal Solid

Waste in Bombay City, Indian Environme4. Ibid., P. 304.

4. Kasbe, Vinay, Chhaya, V.S. and Haldor, A., (2000), ‘Biomedical Solid Waste

Management: An Overview’, Proceedings of National Seminar on ‘Bio-medical and

Solid Waste Management, January 15-16, 2000 organised by Civil & Environment
Engineering Deptt. VJTI, Matunga, Mumbai, P. 87.

5. Verma, Madhu and Pandey, Preeti, (1999), ‘Extent of Solid Waste Generation and Its

Management Practices in India’, Course Material Indira Gandhi Institute of

Development and research, Goregaon, Mumbai, P. 8.

6. Panjwani, P.U., Collection, Transportation and Disposal of MSW in Bombay City,

Environmental Directory edited by ntal Directory, edited by Rashmi Mayur, Mumbai, P. 303.

7. Websites -

§ www.harshadkulkarni.weebly.com

§ www.kolhapurcorporation.gov.in

§ www.conserve-energy-future.com/reduce-reuse-recycle.php

§ www.wikipedia.org

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