j 6 Marks

Discuss the municipal solid waste disposal management.

Answer: Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Management

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) refers to non-hazardous solid waste generated by households, commercial establishments, and institutions within a municipality. MSW Management encompasses the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of this waste in an environmentally safe and economically viable manner.

India's MSW Statistics:
• Daily Generation: ~150,000 tonnes/day (~55 million tonnes/year)
• Collection Efficiency: 70-80%
• Processed/Treated: Only 20-30%
• Landfilled/Dumped: 70-80% (often unscientifically)

1. MSW Composition in India

Category Percentage Examples
Organic/Biodegradable 40-60% Food waste, garden waste
Paper 5-10% Newspapers, cardboard, packaging
Plastics 5-10% Bags, bottles, packaging
Glass 2-5% Bottles, containers
Metals 2-4% Cans, scrap metal
Inert Materials 20-30% Construction debris, ash, dust

2. Stages of MSW Management

Stage 1: Waste Generation and Segregation

  • Source Segregation: Mandatory separation at household/establishment level
  • Categories: Wet (biodegradable), Dry (recyclable), Domestic Hazardous
  • Benefits: Higher recycling rates, better processing efficiency
  • India Rule: SWM Rules 2016 mandate source segregation

Stage 2: Collection

  • Door-to-Door Collection: Direct collection from households (preferred)
  • Community Bins: Shared collection points in residential areas
  • Dual-Bin System: Separate containers for wet and dry waste
  • Frequency: Daily collection for wet waste, alternate days for dry

Stage 3: Transportation

  • Vehicles: Compactors, covered trucks, tippers
  • Transfer Stations: Intermediate points for consolidation before final disposal
  • GPS Tracking: Modern systems for route optimization

Stage 4: Processing and Treatment

  • Material Recovery Facility (MRF): Sorting dry waste for recycling
  • Composting: Aerobic decomposition of organic waste into manure
  • Biomethanation: Anaerobic digestion producing biogas and fertilizer
  • Waste-to-Energy: Incineration or RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) plants

3. Disposal Methods

Method Description Suitability
Sanitary Landfill Engineered disposal with liner, leachate collection, gas management Inert and residual waste only
Composting Aerobic decomposition in windrows or enclosed vessels Organic/wet waste
Biomethanation Anaerobic digestion producing biogas (CH4 + CO2) High-moisture organic waste
Incineration Controlled burning at 850-1100°C with emission control High-calorific dry waste
Recycling Material recovery and reprocessing Paper, plastic, glass, metal

4. Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 (India)

5. Waste Hierarchy (3R Approach)

Priority Order:
1. Reduce - Minimize waste generation at source
2. Reuse - Use items multiple times before disposal
3. Recycle - Process materials for new products
4. Recovery - Extract energy from waste
5. Disposal - Landfilling as last resort

6. Challenges in India

Conclusion

Effective Municipal Solid Waste Management requires an integrated approach encompassing source segregation, efficient collection and transportation, proper processing (composting, recycling, energy recovery), and scientific disposal of residuals. India's SWM Rules 2016 provide a comprehensive framework, but implementation remains challenging due to low segregation compliance, inadequate infrastructure, and financial constraints. Achieving sustainable waste management requires public participation, investment in processing facilities, enforcement of regulations, and adoption of the waste hierarchy prioritizing reduction and recycling over disposal. With proper management, MSW can transform from an environmental liability into a resource for composting, recycling, and energy generation.

Sources: Module 4 Notes | SWM Rules 2016 | CPCB | MoHUA Swachh Bharat Mission