Solid Waste

Management
Arjun
Political Science, 1st year
Delhi University, Kirori Mal College
Submitted to Dr Leena Singh
 Table of Contents

01 03 05
Solid Waste Hazardous Solid Waste
Waste Disposal
02 04
E-Waste Solid Waste
Management
01. Solid Waste
"The waste materials which have been rejected for
further use and which can neither readily escape into the
atmosphere nor can be transported by water into
streams are called as solid waste."
The Types and Sources of Solid Waste
Municipal Wastes:- (a) These include garbage (i.e. biodegradable food
waste); Rubbish (i.e. non-biodegradable solid waste from homes,
offices, markets, hotels, etc.);

(b) Construction and demolition wastes: Sludges from septic tanks;

wires; conduits pipes; ashes; abandoned vehicles etc.

Special Wastes:- These include hazardous wastes like toxic

substances (pesticides, heavy metal sludges); Radioactive wastes;
Biological waste; explosives, inflammable substances, corrosive
materials, etc.
Domestic Wastes:- These include wastes generated from domestic
cooking and serving of food. Examples Garbage, waste paper, plastic,
cloth etc.

Agricultural Wastes:- These wastes result from farms, feedlots and

livestock yards. Examples Corn residues, bagasse from sugarcane
manures, paddy husk, etc.

Industrial Wastes:- (a) Process wastes: Here waste depends on the

products being manufactured. Examples Plastic wastes, rubber wastes,
metal scraps, food-processing wastes, etc.

(b) Non-process wastes: Here waste is common to all industries.

Examples Office and cafeteria wastes, packing wastes, etc.
 Causes of Generation of Solid Waste
1. Over-population: Solid waste generated per person multiplied by total
population results in increased generation of solid waste every day.

2. Urbanization: Urbanization requires various construction activities like

construction of buildings, markets, shopping malls, roads, railways, airports,
bridges, dams, water supply and sewage disposal systems. Each construction
activity also generates solid wastes.

3. Affluence: Consumers with high purchasing capacity discard 'obsolete

goods'. This leads to solid waste generation.

4. Advances in Technology: These lead to large scale production of

goods for consumption based society preferring disposable items and almost
every item 'packaged'. All these result in generation of huge quantities of
solid wastes
 Effects of Solid Waste
The accumulation and improper handling of the solid wastes results in various health
and environmental hazards. Some of these effects are described below:

1. Flies and mosquitoes breed on the choked drains and gully pits through solid
wastes. These flies and mosquitoes than contaminate food and water. In turn,
diseases like diarrhoea, amoebic dysentery, bacillary dysentery, malaria, dengue,
etc. results.

2. The stray animals and scavengers invade the garbage dumps of roadside. It results
in harming the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings.

3. Bad odours pollute the air as a result of decomposition of organic solid wastes.

4. Percolation of decomposed garbage cause pollution of underground water and

land. The crops and water supply gets contaminated and result in cholera,
hepatitis, jaundice, gastrointestinal diseases.

5. Rats living in solid waste dumping sites rapidly multiply in numbers and may cause
plague and other diseases.
02.
E-Waste
 What Is E-Waste
● Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, refers to discarded electrical or
electronic devices. This category of waste includes a wide range of items, such as
computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and other
household and business electronics.

● E-waste is a growing concern globally due to the rapid pace of technological

advancement and the resulting short lifespan of many electronic devices. These
discarded devices can pose environmental and health risks if not managed properly. The
components of e-waste often contain hazardous materials, including heavy metals such
as lead, mercury, and cadmium, as well as potentially harmful substances like
brominated flame retardants.

● Improper disposal methods, such as landfilling or incineration, can release these

hazardous materials into the environment, leading to soil and water pollution. To address
the challenges associated with e-waste, responsible recycling and disposal practices are
crucial. Many countries and regions have established regulations and recycling
programs to encourage the proper management of electronic waste and minimize its
impact on the environment and human health.
Control and Disposal of E-Waste
The control and disposal of e-waste 1. Reduce:
are critical aspects of managing Encourage product design for longevity and ease of repair.
electronic waste responsibly to Promote the purchase of durable and upgradable electronic
minimize environmental impact and devices.
Support initiatives that reduce electronic waste by extending
health risks. Here are key strategies for the lifespan of products.
controlling and disposing of e-waste:-
2. Reuse:
Promote the reuse of electronic devices through
refurbishment and resale.
Encourage consumers to consider buying used or refurbished
electronics.

3. Recycle:
Establish and promote e-waste recycling programs at local,
regional, and national levels.
By combining these strategies, it is
Implement e-waste collection events or drop-off points for
possible to create a comprehensive and convenient disposal.
effective approach to control and
dispose of e-waste responsibly, reducing 4. Legislation and Regulation:
its impact on the environment and Introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs,
making manufacturers responsible for the disposal of their
human health. products.
 03. Hazardous waste
Characteristics of hazardous waste may include one or
more of the following:
Hazardous waste refers to waste materials that
pose a significant threat to human health and 1. Ignitability: Wastes that can easily catch fire, such as
the environment due to their chemical, solvents and certain chemicals.
biological, or physical characteristics. These
2. Corrosivity: Wastes that can corrode metals or cause
substances can be generated from various
other materials to deteriorate, often characterized by
industrial processes, manufacturing activities,
a low or high pH.
household products, and certain types of
discarded materials. The hazardous nature of 3. Reactivity: Wastes that are unstable and can
these wastes requires special handling, undergo violent reactions, producing toxic gases or
treatment, and disposal methods to prevent explosive compounds.
harm to human health and the environment.
4. Toxicity: Wastes that contain substances at
concentrations above regulatory thresholds, known
to be harmful to human health or the environment.
This includes heavy metals like lead, mercury, and
cadmium.
 Prevention and Control
Preventing and controlling hazardous waste is crucial to safeguarding human health and the
environment. Here are key strategies for the prevention and control of hazardous waste:

1. Source Reduction:
Product Design: Encourage the design of products with fewer hazardous components and
materials, making them easier to recycle or dispose of safely.
Substitution: Promote the use of less hazardous materials as alternatives to toxic substances in
manufacturing processes.

2. Waste Minimization:
Material Recovery: Implement processes for recovering and reusing materials from waste streams.
Process Optimization: Optimize industrial processes to reduce the generation of hazardous waste.
Good Housekeeping: Train and educate employees on proper waste management practices to
minimize waste generation.

3. Recycling:
Establish and support recycling programs for materials that can be reclaimed and reused.
Encourage businesses to use recycled materials in their production processes.

4. Treatment Technologies:
Develop and implement technologies for treating hazardous waste to reduce its toxicity or volume.
Encourage the use of environmentally friendly treatment methods, such as biological treatment or
thermal processes.
04.
Solid Waste
Management
Solid waste management is the
organized process of collecting,
treating, recycling, and disposing of
solid waste to minimize
environmental and health impacts.
Important solid waste management practices are briefly
described below:

● Source Reduction: It involves changing the design,

manufacture, or use of products and materials to
reduce the amounts of solid waste generation.
Examples: Two-sided copying of paper, backyard
composting, etc.
● Recycling: From the waste stream;
paper/glass/plastic/metal etc. are sorted, collected,
processed and then manufactured, sold and
purchased as new products.
a. Advantages: Energy saving, prevention of
emission of many greenhouse gases/water
pollutants, job creation, resource conservation for
future and reduced need of new land fills and
incinerators.
● Treatment: Suitable treatment is given
depending on the nature of solid wastes.
● Disposal: Solid wastes can be disposed
in combustion facilities and land fills.

a. The most preferred method for

solid waste management is source
reduction (including reuse). It is
followed by recycling and
composting. Lastly, disposal of solid
waste is done.
05.
Solid Waste
Disposal
 What is Solid Waste Disposal

Solid waste disposal refers to the final stage in the management of solid waste,
where waste materials are permanently removed from the environment. This
process involves the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of solid waste
to prevent pollution and protect public health. Common methods of solid waste
disposal include landfilling, incineration, and, increasingly, sustainable methods
such as composting and recycling. The choice of disposal method depends on
the type of waste, environmental regulations, and the goal of minimizing the
impact on ecosystems and human well-being.
 Methods of Solid Waste Disposal
There are several methods for solid waste disposal, each with its advantages and considerations. The
choice of method often depends on factors such as the type of waste, environmental regulations,
available technology, and local conditions. Here are common methods of solid waste disposal:

1. Landfilling:
-Landfills are designated areas where solid waste is deposited, compacted, and covered with soil.
-Landfills are a common and cost-effective disposal method for non-hazardous waste. Modern
landfills incorporate liners and monitoring systems to reduce environmental impact.

2. Incineration:
-Incineration involves the controlled burning of solid waste to reduce its volume and convert it
into ash and gases.
-Incineration can generate energy, reduce the volume of waste, and minimize the need for
landfill space.

3. Recycling:
-Recycling involves the collection and processing of materials (such as paper, glass, plastic, and
metal) to manufacture new products.
-Recycling conserves resources, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the environmental
impact associated with the extraction and production of raw materials.
Resources
1. www.wikipedia.org

2. www.byjus.com

3. www.google.com

4. www.sciencedirect.com

5. www.iberdrola.com