Decentralized bio-degradable solid waste management

Abstract

The principal of Municipal Solid Waste Management as stated in the CPHEEO manual involves the application of the concept of Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) to municipal waste. ISWM is the application of suitable techniques, technologies and management programs covering all types of solid wastes from all sources to achieve the twin objectives of (a) waste reduction and (b) effective management of waste still produced after waste reduction. Schedule two of the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 says: “Land filling shall be restricted to non-biodegradable, inert waste and other waste that are not suitable either for recycling or for biological processing.” This study has attempted to find out a way of reduction of the waste going to the municipal landfill. Accordingly, the study has explored the history of policies and guidelines on Municipal Solid Waste Management to find out existing options for reduction of waste going to the municipal landfill. In order to find a feasible method for the same, it has also explored the present ongoing practices and innovations for waste reduction in India. The study compares two case studies from New Delhi which adopts a hybrid system - (a) Community based solid waste management for bio-degradable waste and reducing recyclable contents, (b) Land-filling by city level agency for non-biodegradable non-recyclable waste. The comparison attempts at selecting suitable methods of community based bio-degradable solid waste management. Further, it studies the applicability of adapting the method chosen to a case study area in Bhopal and accordingly proposes a framework for the same.