What was it like back in the day?

 We returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The
store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled.

 Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for
numerous things. Most memorable besides household garbage bags was the
use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books. We were able
to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.

 We washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw away kind.

 We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up

220 volts. Wind and solar power really did dry our clothes.

 Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always
brand-new clothing.

 When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up

old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

 We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen

Intro
“There are few things certain in life – one is death, second is change and the
other is waste.” No one can stop these things to take place in our lives. But
with better management we can prepare ourselves. Here we will talk about
waste and waste management. Each of us has a right to clean air, water and
food. This right can be fulfilled by maintaining a clear and healthy
environment. Now for the first question, what is waste? Any material which is
not needed by the owner, producer or processor is waste.
It is well known that waste management policies, as they exist now, are not
sustainable in the long term.
Thus, waste management is undergoing drastic change to offer more options
that are more sustainable. We look at these options in the hope of offering
the waste management industry a more economically viable and socially
acceptable solution to our current waste management dilemma. This paper
outlines various advances in the area of waste management.

Municipal solid waste management is the most

important service a city provides. A city that cannot effectively manage its
waste is rarely able to manage more complex services such as health,
education, or transportation. Improperly managed waste usually results in
down-stream costs higher than what it would have cost to manage the waste
properly in the first place.
Disposal vs. Management
There are common practices to dispose waste from ordinary people. But
disposal of waste is becoming a serious and vexing problem for any human
habitation all over the world.
Disposing solid waste out of sight does not solve the problem but indirectly
increases the same manifold and at a certain point it goes beyond the control
of everybody.

The consequences of this practice such as health hazards, pollution of soil,

water, air & food, unpleasant surroundings, loss of precious resources that
could be obtained from the solid waste, etc. are well known. The More
advanced the human settlements, the more complex the waste management
Management of solid waste which generally involves proper segregation and
scientific recycling of all the components is in fact the ideal way of dealing with
solid waste. It has developed from its early beginnings of mere dumping to a
sophisticated range of options including re-use, recycling, incineration with
energy recovery, advanced landfill design and engineering and a range of
alternative technologies.
Basic principles of Solid Waste Management
1) 4Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
• Refuse: Do not buy anything which we do not really need.
• Reduce - Reduce the amount of garbage generated. Alter our lifestyle
so that minimum garbage is generated.
• Reuse - Reuse everything to its maximum after properly cleaning it.
Make secondary use of different articles.
• Recycle – Keep things which can be recycled to be given to rag
pickers or waste pickers (Kabadiwallahs).Convert the recyclable
garbage into manures or other useful products.
2) Segregation at source: Store organic or biodegradable and inorganic or
non biodegradable solid waste in different bins. Recycle of all the
components with minimum labor and cost.
3) Different treatments for different types of solid wastes: One must apply
the techniques which are suitable to the given type of garbage. For example
the technique suitable for general market waste may not be suitable for
slaughter house waste.
4) Treatment at nearest possible point: The solid waste should be treated in
as decentralized manner as possible. The garbage generated should be treated
preferably at the site of generation i.e. every house
ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Air Pollution and Emissions

Air Pollution is a major concern for both the environment and human health.
Typically, in any open dumping spot, the decomposition and combustion of
waste materials release harmful gases, various matter, and volatile organic
compounds into the air. These emissions may consist of gases such as
methane, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and various toxic
pollutants. The release of such pollutants leads to deteriorating air quality,
creating a range of adverse environmental impacts. So, with time, this will
cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and other adverse health
effects to nearby residents

Soil and Groundwater Contamination

Soil and groundwater contamination is also a major concern with severe
consequences. Dumping waste without proper containment measures allows
harmful substances to seep into the soil and potentially
contaminate groundwater sources.

Odor and Visual Impact

A dumping site's odor and visual impact might be extremely unpleasant. The
presence of decomposing organic material, releases volatile chemicals into the
air, which could account for the unpleasant odor originating from the dumping.
These substances contribute to air pollution and may adversely affect local air
quality. The discharge of different gaseous chemicals can cause smog and
contribute to the degradation of atmospheric conditions.

Waste accumulation changes the ecosystem's physical properties, resulting in

soil compaction and habitat damage. Soil and vegetation disturbance can also
result in biodiversity loss and the displacement of native flora and fauna. This
disruption has the potential to have an impact on ecological systems like
nutrient cycling, pollination, and wildlife migration patterns.

Public Health
In most jurisdictions, public health concerns have been the basis for solid
waste management programs, as solid waste management is essential to
maintaining public health. Solid waste that is not properly collected and
disposed can be a breeding ground for insects, vermin, and scavenging
animals, and can thus pass on air- and water-borne diseases.
Impact on aquatic life

BIOMAGNIFICATION is a process in which animals higher in the food chain -

humans - accumulate these these harmful toxins in significantly high
concentrations.
Every year, according to reports, more than one million seabirds
are being killed by ocean pollution. In addition, thousands of
dolphins and porpoises are dying every year due to increased
human intervention.

The increased presence of plastic on the ocean surface has

resulted in more serious problems. Since most of the plastic
debris that reaches the ocean remains floating for years as it does
not decompose quickly, it leads to the dropping of oxygen level in
the water, severely affecting the survival of marine species.

( Fun fact )

Eutrophication: Waste from sewage and agricultural fields reach

ponds and lakes. They have plant nutrients. This causes the
growth of algae and other aquatic weeds. They cover the water
surface completely. They release toxins in water and thus reduce
the DO level. Toxicity and shortage of oxygen may cause
decrease in population or even death of aquatic animals. This
process is called eutrophication.

TERRESTIAL LIFE

 Animals such as cows, buffaloes and goats die of eating plastic

wastes.
 Improperly managed and designed landfills attract all kinds of insects
and rodents, which spread diseases.
 Recycling of wastes also carries health risks if proper precautions are not
taken.
 The animals which feed on plants growing in polluted areas take in
fluorides through them. This decreases their capacity to produce milk
and also affects their teeth and bones.
 The terrestrial animals which are dependent upon the aquatic
ecosystem get affected as a result of increase in acid concentrations. It
decreases their population.
Waste collection
is the collection of solid waste from point of production (residential, industrial
commercial, institutional) to the point of treatment or disposal. Municipal solid
waste is collected in several ways:

1. House-to-House: Waste collectors visit each individual house to collect

garbage. The user generally pays a fee for this service

2. Community Bins: Users bring their garbage to community bins that are
placed at fixed points in a neighborhood or locality. MSW is picked up by
the municipality, or its designate, according to a set schedule.

3. Curbside Pick-Up: Users leave their garbage directly outside their homes
according to a garbage pick-up schedule set with the local authorities
(secondary house-tohouse collectors not typical).

4. Self Delivered: Generators deliver the waste directly to disposal sites or

transfer stations, or hire third-party operators (or the municipality).

5. 5. Contracted or Delegated Service: Businesses hire firms (or

municipality with municipal facilities) who arrange collection schedules
and charges with customers. Municipalities often license private
operators and may designate collection areas to encourage collection
efficiencies.

Collected MSW can be separated or mixed, depending on local regulations.

Generators can be required to separate their waste at source, e.g., into “wet”
(food waste, organic matter) and “dry” (recyclables), and possibly a third
stream of “waste,” or residue. Waste that is un-segregated could be separated
into organic and recycling streams at a sorting facility. The degree of
separation can vary over time and by city.
Waste disposal
Waste Reduction:
Waste or source reduction initiatives (including prevention, minimization, and
reuse) seek to reduce the quantity of waste at generation points by
redesigning products or changing patterns of production and consumption. A
reduction in waste generation has a two-fold benefit in terms of greenhouse
gas emission reductions. First, the emissions associated with material and
product manufacture are avoided. The second benefit is eliminating the
emissions associated with the avoided waste management activities.

Incineration of waste
reduce the volume of disposed waste by up to 90%. These high volume
reductions are seen only in waste streams with very high amounts of packaging
materials, paper, cardboard, plastics and horticultural waste. Typically,
incineration without energy recovery (or non-autogenic combustion, the need
to regularly add fuel) is not a preferred option due to costs and pollution.
Open-burning of waste is particularly discouraged due to severe air pollution
associated with low temperature combustion

Landfill
In this process, the waste that cannot be reused or recycled are separated out
and spread as a thin layer in low-lying areas across a city. A layer of soil is
added after each layer of garbage. However, once this process is complete, the
area is declared unfit for construction of buildings for the next 20 years.
Instead, it can only be used as a playground or a park.

Waste Compaction
The waste materials such as cans and plastic bottles are compacted into blocks
and sent for recycling. This process prevents the oxidation of metals and
reduces airspace need, thus making transportation and positioning easy.

Biogas Generation
Biodegradable waste, such as food items, animal waste or organic industrial
waste from food packaging industries are sent to bio-degradation plants. they
are converted to biogas by degradation with the help of bacteria, fungi, or
other microbes. Biogas is generated as a result of this process, which is used as
fuel, and the residue is used as manure.
Composting
All organic materials decompose with time. The process of composting starts
with these organic wastes being buried under layers of soil and then, are left to
decay under the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Adding finished compost to your soil:
 Improves the structure and health of your soil by adding organic matter.
 Helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients.
 Attracts beneficial organisms to the soil and reduces the need for
pesticides and fertilizers.
 Reduces the potential for soil erosion.
 Sequesters carbon in the soil.
 Builds resiliency to the impacts of climate change.

Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms for the degradation of organic
matter into nutrient-rich manure. Worms consume and digest the organic
matter. The by-products of digestion which are excreted out by the worms
make the soil nutrient-rich, thus enhancing the growth of bacteria and fungi. It
is also far more effective than traditional composting.

Waste segregation
can be defined as the process of identifying, classifying,dividing and sorting of
garbage and waste products in an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.

Significance of Waste Segregation

Waste segregation is critical because of the fact that certain types of wastes
can be hazardous and can contaminate the environment if not managed
correctly.
When waste is unsegregated, it may get contaminated with different types of
waste being stored together. Such waste cannot be treated or managed and
most of the time end up being dumped into local dump yards or landfills. With
waste segregation, management of different types of wastes becomes
possible. This directly results in reduced amounts of waste being dumped at
dump yards or landfills.
10 reasons why waste management is necessary:

1. **Environmental Protection**: Proper waste management helps prevent

pollution of land, water, and air, reducing the negative impact on ecosystems
and biodiversity.

2. **Public Health**: Effective waste management prevents the spread of

diseases and contaminants that can arise from improper disposal of waste,
safeguarding public health.

3. **Resource Conservation**: Waste management promotes recycling and

reuse, conserving valuable resources such as metals, paper, and plastics, and
reducing the need for raw material extraction.

4. **Energy Recovery**: Certain waste management methods, like waste-to-

energy incineration, can generate electricity or heat, contributing to energy
production while reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.

5. **Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions**: Proper waste management

practices, including recycling and composting, help decrease greenhouse gas
emissions by reducing the amount of organic waste decomposing in landfills
and by saving energy in the production of new materials.

6. **Aesthetic Improvement**: Effective waste management reduces litter and

unsightly waste dumps, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of communities and
preserving natural landscapes.

7. **Legal Compliance**: Many countries have regulations and laws in place to

govern waste management, ensuring compliance helps avoid legal penalties
and fosters a culture of environmental responsibility.

8. **Economic Benefits**: Proper waste management can create job

opportunities in recycling, waste collection, and processing industries,
contributing to economic growth and stability.

9. **Community Well-being**: By keeping neighborhoods clean and safe,

waste management fosters a sense of pride and well-being among residents,
improving overall quality of life.
10. **Long-term Sustainability**: Sustainable waste management practices
promote the efficient use of resources and reduce environmental degradation,
ensuring a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations.
Initiatives and Policies for Waste Management in India
The government of India has implemented several initiatives and policies to
improve waste management in the country. Some of these initiatives include:
 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: launched in 2014, aims to make India clean and
free of open defecation. The campaign has helped increase awareness of
waste management practices and promote cleanliness.
 Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016: provide a framework for the
management of solid waste in India. The rules mandate the segregation
of waste at the source and the use of environmentally friendly practices
such as composting and recycling.
 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The EPR policy requires
producers to be responsible for the environmental impact of their
products throughout their lifecycle, including their disposal. This policy
aims to encourage producers to design products that are more
environmentally friendly and easier to recycle.
 Waste-to-Energy Projects: Waste-to-energy projects involve converting
waste into energy through various processes such as incineration and
gasification. These projects can help reduce the amount of waste sent to
landfills and provide a source of renewable energy.