Status of Hazardous WasteStatus of Hazardous WasteRecyclingRecycling

By

R. K. Garg

• Wastes are generated in all Human Activities viz.

– Domestic & Commercial (Municipal Waste)– Health Services (Biomedical Waste)– Industries (Toxic & Hazardous Waste)– e-Waste– Agricultural Waste– Construction & Demolition Waste

• However, the quantity and nature of these wastesare vastly different.

IntroductionIntroduction• Wastes are generated in all Human Activities viz.

– Domestic & Commercial (Municipal Waste)– Health Services (Biomedical Waste)– Industries (Toxic & Hazardous Waste)– e-Waste– Agricultural Waste– Construction & Demolition Waste

• However, the quantity and nature of these wastesare vastly different.

Wastes are generated during the process ofmanufacture of products as well as after the productutility is over.

Wastes, if not managed properly can have anadverse impact on the environment and the health ofpeople.

Manufacture

IntroductionIntroductionWastes are generated during the process ofmanufacture of products as well as after the productutility is over.

Wastes, if not managed properly can have anadverse impact on the environment and the health ofpeople.

Product Waste

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste• Hazardous wastes are of greater concern since they contain toxic,

flammable, explosive or corrosive constituents.• Recognizing the highly adverse impact of hazardous waste on the

environment and the health of the people the Ministry of Environmentand Forests (MoEF), framed rules entitled Hazardous Wastes(Management and Handling) Rules as early as 1989 under theEnvironment Protection Act 1986.

• Subsequently for other wastes also rules have been made.• These rules were amended from time to time. In September 2008,

new rules entitled Hazardous and other Wastes (Management,Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules came into force inplace of the earlier rules.

• In April 2016, these rules have also been superseded and new ruleshave been notified.

• Hazardous wastes are of greater concern since they contain toxic,flammable, explosive or corrosive constituents.

• Recognizing the highly adverse impact of hazardous waste on theenvironment and the health of the people the Ministry of Environmentand Forests (MoEF), framed rules entitled Hazardous Wastes(Management and Handling) Rules as early as 1989 under theEnvironment Protection Act 1986.

• Subsequently for other wastes also rules have been made.• These rules were amended from time to time. In September 2008,

new rules entitled Hazardous and other Wastes (Management,Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules came into force inplace of the earlier rules.

• In April 2016, these rules have also been superseded and new ruleshave been notified.

DefinitionDefinition• Hazardous waste means any waste which by reason of its

physical, chemical, biological, reactive, toxic, flammable,explosive or corrosive characteristics causes danger or is likelyto cause danger to health or environment whether alone orwhen in contact with other wastes or substances and shallinclude:

– Wastes specified in Schedule I– Wastes having constituents specified in Schedule II in

concentration equal to or more than the limits indicated inthat schedule in Class A and B and characteristics asspecified in this schedule.

– Wastes specified in Schedule III (Part A) in respect ofImport or Export of wastes, or wastes not specified in Part Abut exhibit characteristics specified in Part C of thisSchedule.

• Hazardous waste means any waste which by reason of itsphysical, chemical, biological, reactive, toxic, flammable,explosive or corrosive characteristics causes danger or is likelyto cause danger to health or environment whether alone orwhen in contact with other wastes or substances and shallinclude:

– Wastes specified in Schedule I– Wastes having constituents specified in Schedule II in

concentration equal to or more than the limits indicated inthat schedule in Class A and B and characteristics asspecified in this schedule.

– Wastes specified in Schedule III (Part A) in respect ofImport or Export of wastes, or wastes not specified in Part Abut exhibit characteristics specified in Part C of thisSchedule.

ScheduleSchedule--II• Lists processes / industries (38 no’s) which generally produce

hazardous wastes ex. Petrochemicals, Petroleum refining,Reprocessing of used/waste oil, Metallurgical industries includingsurface treatment operations, Asbestos containing processes,Fertilizers, Processes involving Chemicals and Solvents, Paints,Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Pulp & Paper, UsedElectronics, Leather, Air and Water treatment processes etc.

• It may be noted that high volume low effect wastes such as Fly ash,phospho-gypsum, red mud (from alumina refineries), slags from pyro-metallurgical operations, mine tailings and ore beneficiation rejectsare excluded from the category of hazardous wastes.

• Separate guidelines on the management of these wastes are to beissued by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

• Lists processes / industries (38 no’s) which generally producehazardous wastes ex. Petrochemicals, Petroleum refining,Reprocessing of used/waste oil, Metallurgical industries includingsurface treatment operations, Asbestos containing processes,Fertilizers, Processes involving Chemicals and Solvents, Paints,Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Pulp & Paper, UsedElectronics, Leather, Air and Water treatment processes etc.

• It may be noted that high volume low effect wastes such as Fly ash,phospho-gypsum, red mud (from alumina refineries), slags from pyro-metallurgical operations, mine tailings and ore beneficiation rejectsare excluded from the category of hazardous wastes.

• Separate guidelines on the management of these wastes are to beissued by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

ScheduleSchedule--IIII• This schedule provides the concentration of the hazardous

constituent in the waste above which the waste will beconsidered as hazardous. The concentration in Class A is theleachate concentration(in mg/l) determined by the ToxicityCharacteristic Leaching Procedure(TCLP) or solublethreshold limit concentration(STLC)

•• TheseThese proceduresprocedures areare includedincluded inin thethe manualmanual forforcharacterizationcharacterization andand analysisanalysis ofof hazardoushazardous wastewaste publishedpublished bybyCPCBCPCB.. ForFor constituentsconstituents inin ClassClass B,B, thethe totaltotal concentration(inconcentration(inmg/kg)mg/kg) isis thethe limitlimit aboveabove whichwhich thethe wastewaste willwill bebe consideredconsidered asashazardoushazardous.. ForFor otherother constituents,constituents, characteristicscharacteristics givengiven asas perperClassClass CC shallshall bebe applicableapplicable..

• This schedule provides the concentration of the hazardousconstituent in the waste above which the waste will beconsidered as hazardous. The concentration in Class A is theleachate concentration(in mg/l) determined by the ToxicityCharacteristic Leaching Procedure(TCLP) or solublethreshold limit concentration(STLC)

•• TheseThese proceduresprocedures areare includedincluded inin thethe manualmanual forforcharacterizationcharacterization andand analysisanalysis ofof hazardoushazardous wastewaste publishedpublished bybyCPCBCPCB.. ForFor constituentsconstituents inin ClassClass B,B, thethe totaltotal concentration(inconcentration(inmg/kg)mg/kg) isis thethe limitlimit aboveabove whichwhich thethe wastewaste willwill bebe consideredconsidered asashazardoushazardous.. ForFor otherother constituents,constituents, characteristicscharacteristics givengiven asas perperClassClass CC shallshall bebe applicableapplicable..

ScheduleSchedule--IIIIII• Schedule III is divided into Parts A & B/D

(based on the Basel convention (Annexure –VIII & IX) and procedure for Import & Export(only for the purpose ofrecycling/reprocessing/reuse) has beenindicated for each of the wastes. Part C lists thecharacteristics for identifying the hazardousnature of the waste.

• No hazardous waste can be imported fordisposal.

• Schedule III is divided into Parts A & B/D(based on the Basel convention (Annexure –VIII & IX) and procedure for Import & Export(only for the purpose ofrecycling/reprocessing/reuse) has beenindicated for each of the wastes. Part C lists thecharacteristics for identifying the hazardousnature of the waste.

• No hazardous waste can be imported fordisposal.

Hierarchy of Waste ManagementHierarchy of Waste Management

• Reduce waste by change of process/technology

• Reuse, Recycle, Reprocess

• Dispose of in any of the following ways:

– Physico-chemical treatment– Biological treatment– Incineration– Containment in secured landfill

• Reduce waste by change of process/technology

• Reuse, Recycle, Reprocess

• Dispose of in any of the following ways:

– Physico-chemical treatment– Biological treatment– Incineration– Containment in secured landfill

•Recycling of waste has to be explored as the first optionsince many wastes contain valuable resource or canbe used as supplementary source of energy in certainindustries as such or after some pre-processing.

•Also, there is saving of space otherwise required fordisposal.

•Other environmental benefits of recycling include lowerenergy consumption in recovering of the resource ascompared to the natural source like minerals and lowerenvironmental pollution.

•Recycling of waste has to be explored as the first optionsince many wastes contain valuable resource or canbe used as supplementary source of energy in certainindustries as such or after some pre-processing.

•Also, there is saving of space otherwise required fordisposal.

•Other environmental benefits of recycling include lowerenergy consumption in recovering of the resource ascompared to the natural source like minerals and lowerenvironmental pollution.

RecyclingRecycling // ReprocessingReprocessing // ReuseReuse ofofHazardousHazardous WasteWaste• Commonly recyclable wastes and actually being recycled

are listed in Schedule IV of the Rules.• Earlier, facilities for such recycling were required to be

registered with CPCB/SPCB. Now, they need onlyauthorisation from SPCB. Guidelines/Standard operatingprocedures for such recycling have been prepared byCPCB and need to be followed by the recyclers.

• For other wastes also, guidelines will be prepared byMoEF and CC or CPCB from time to time. Whereguidelines are not available, recycling or utilization of thewaste will need the approval of CPCB after carrying outtrial run.

• Commonly recyclable wastes and actually being recycledare listed in Schedule IV of the Rules.

• Earlier, facilities for such recycling were required to beregistered with CPCB/SPCB. Now, they need onlyauthorisation from SPCB. Guidelines/Standard operatingprocedures for such recycling have been prepared byCPCB and need to be followed by the recyclers.

• For other wastes also, guidelines will be prepared byMoEF and CC or CPCB from time to time. Whereguidelines are not available, recycling or utilization of thewaste will need the approval of CPCB after carrying outtrial run.

Present Status of Hazardous WastePresent Status of Hazardous WasteManagementManagement

1) Generation:– Presently there are more than 40,000 industrial

units in the country producing hazardous waste ofthe order of 7.9 Million Tons/annum (as perauthorisation)

– About 3.98 Million Tons is recyclable– 3.32 Million Tons land fillable– 0.60 Million Tons is incinerable.

1) Generation:– Presently there are more than 40,000 industrial

units in the country producing hazardous waste ofthe order of 7.9 Million Tons/annum (as perauthorisation)

– About 3.98 Million Tons is recyclable– 3.32 Million Tons land fillable– 0.60 Million Tons is incinerable.

2) Recycling/Reprocessing:

– More than 1,000 recycling/reprocessing unitshave been registered for recycling of wastes likeused lead acid battery scrap and other lead andnon-ferrous metal(Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, V etc.) scrap,process residues, waste oils and used lubricatingoils.

– Registration has also been given for e-wasterecycling as well to a number of units in variousstates

Present Status of Hazardous WastePresent Status of Hazardous WasteManagementManagement

2) Recycling/Reprocessing:

– More than 1,000 recycling/reprocessing unitshave been registered for recycling of wastes likeused lead acid battery scrap and other lead andnon-ferrous metal(Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, V etc.) scrap,process residues, waste oils and used lubricatingoils.

– Registration has also been given for e-wasterecycling as well to a number of units in variousstates

TechnologiesTechnologies employedemployed forfor recyclingrecycling1. Metal Wastes

• Melting in case of scrap where the metal is in the elementalform

• Chemical leaching where the waste is in oxidised form or invery low concentration

2. Used Oil• The process involves dehydration, vacuum distillation and

decolourisation3. Organic Waste

• Can be used as supplementary fuel in cement industries4. Electronic Waste

• Involves dismantling, crushing, physical separation of glass,metals(iron, copper and aluminum) and plastics andrecovery of precious metals

1. Metal Wastes• Melting in case of scrap where the metal is in the elemental

form• Chemical leaching where the waste is in oxidised form or in

very low concentration2. Used Oil

• The process involves dehydration, vacuum distillation anddecolourisation

3. Organic Waste• Can be used as supplementary fuel in cement industries

4. Electronic Waste• Involves dismantling, crushing, physical separation of glass,

metals(iron, copper and aluminum) and plastics andrecovery of precious metals

In respect of high volume and low effect industrialwastes, the status is as follows:

• Fly ash – substantial amount is being used in cementplants

• Slags – are also used in cement plants and some forconstruction

• Phospho-gypsum – Cement Plants and PanelBoards and some in agriculture

• Red mud – presently there appears to be noutilisation

TechnologiesTechnologies employedemployed forfor recyclingrecyclingIn respect of high volume and low effect industrial

wastes, the status is as follows:

• Fly ash – substantial amount is being used in cementplants

• Slags – are also used in cement plants and some forconstruction

• Phospho-gypsum – Cement Plants and PanelBoards and some in agriculture

• Red mud – presently there appears to be noutilisation

ConclusionConclusion• From the above it can be seen that the recycling of

hazardous and other waste has made some progress• However, there is scope for further development on

utilisation of other wastes which, by default, arepresently going for landfill. One such example is –salts generated in the pharmaceutical industry

• Utilisation/recycling of waste has to be made anational mission like Swacch Bharat, Make in Indiafor conservation of resources and for protection of theenvironment and health of the people.

• From the above it can be seen that the recycling ofhazardous and other waste has made some progress

• However, there is scope for further development onutilisation of other wastes which, by default, arepresently going for landfill. One such example is –salts generated in the pharmaceutical industry

• Utilisation/recycling of waste has to be made anational mission like Swacch Bharat, Make in Indiafor conservation of resources and for protection of theenvironment and health of the people.