Solid Waste Pollution and Control

Environment and Related Concepts Environment :-The surroundings of an organism in

which the organism lives. It includes the abiotic and biotic things.

Environmental Engineering :- Environmental engineering is the systematic study of our environment and our proper place in it.

Environmental Pollution :- The addition of undesirable substances or energy(heat , radiation and noise) into physical environment (air , water and land),making it less fit or unfit for life.

What is Solid Waste???• All solid and semi-solid wastes arising from human and

animal activities and are discarded as useless or unwanted are included in the term ‘solid –wastes’.

• Solid Waste is often called the third pollution after air and water pollution.

• It includes garbage , rubbish , ashes and residues , demolition and construction wastes , dead animals , radio active wastes.

• The amount of solid waste produced in urban India is steadily and rapidly increasing.

Harmful Effects of Solid Waste• Improper handling of solid wastes is dangerous to

health and environment.

• Improper disposal of solid wastes are resulted in the deaths of humans and animals through contamination of crops of water supplies.

• Uncontrolled dumping of urban wastes destroys the beauty of the countryside.

• Uncontrolled burning of open dumps can cause air pollution.

• Solid wastes is also responsible for water pollution.

Terms used in Solid Waste• Garbage :- It includes putrescible organic waste like the

animal, fruit or vegetable residues resulting from the handling , preparation , cooking and eating foods.

• Rubbish :-It includes combustible and non-combustible solid wastes , excluding food wastes or putrescible materials.

• Organic Wastes :-Wastes which includes animal and vegetable refuse , animal dungs , decay leaves etc. are called organic wastes.

• Inorganic Wastes :-Metal pieces , glass , ceramic tiles , dust , mud etc. those are non combustible known as inorganic wastes.

Source of Solid Wastes

I. Domestic Wastes :-waste that arises from household activities of human beings, includes :

Garbage Rubbish Ashes

II. Industrial Wastes :- wastes, which arises from industrial activities, includes :

Construction and demolition wastes Discarded equipment and tools Mining wastes etc..

III. Agricultural Wastes :- These includes agricultural residues and poultry and diary wastes . Further, agricultural wastes may also include packing and cans of fertilizers, pesticides and soil conditioners used in modern agricultural practices

IV. Commercial Wastes :-wastes, those arise from public places such as offices, markets, restaurants, streets etc,.includes :

Building Wastes Garbage Hazardous Waste Ashes Rubbish

Types of Solid Wastes i. Biodegradable Wastes :-Wastes which can be broken

down into simpler and harmless substances by nature in due course of time using biological means.

ii. Non-Biodegradable Wastes :- Wastes that can not be broke down into simpler and harmless substances by biological means. Ex- plastics; polythene bags; glass objects etc.

iii. Toxic Wastes :- which can pose an substantial danger to the health of living beings and environment ,immediately or over an period of time. Ex- pestisides; heavy metals like mercury; sulphur dioxide etc.

iv. Non-toxic Wastes :- wastes that do not pose any problem to the health of living beings or to the environment .These are generally domestic wastes which are easily biodegradable. Ex- papers, rags, boards etc.

v. Biomedical Wastes :- wastes generated from hospitals, health centres, medical and dental colleges and laboratories. Ex- biological cultures, used syringes etc.

These wastes are potentially dangerous and infectious.

Solid Waste Management

It defines as the application of techniques that will ensure the orderly execution of the functions of collection , processing and disposal of solid waste. Three basic functional elements are :-

Collection :- It refers to the gathering of solid wastes from places such as residences, commercial, institutional and industrial establishments, and other public places. Two methods of collection:

1-hauled –container system 2-stationary-container system

Processing :- It refers to the activity applied to solid waste to prepare it for subsequent operation. Processing improves the efficiency of solid waste disposal and prepares solid waste for subsequent recycling and recovery of materials.

Disposal :- It refers to the placing of solid waste in its ultimate resting place.

Techniques of Solid Waste Management In Solid waste Management, the stress should be

on 3R’s-Reduce,Reuse and Recycle as discussed below:

1. Reduction:- Reduction in the use of raw materials is one of

the fundamental way s to decrease the production of solid waste.

On the individual level,one can reduce the use of unnecessary items while shopping.

For example, Buy items with minimal packing,avoid buying disposable items and also avoid plastic carry bags.

2. Reuse:- Reuse of the materials in their original form is the next

fundamental way to minimize the generation of solid waste.

The reuse of materials,instead of throwing them away,not only reduces waste but also save money.

3. Recycling:- Recycling involves reprocessing of discarded materials

that may have some economic value into new useful products.

Recycling will not only make materials available to future generations but also save energy and environment.

Some examples of recycling and waste utilisation:- Recycling of metals papers,glass and plastic. Utilising fly ash in brick making Paper from agricultural waste Energy from urban waste.

For Cleaner Tomorrow

“Thank You”

By-Atul KushwahaAvadh kishoreAshish PalAkashjeet