Hello Garbage - Green Pammal

Organic Waste Bins Video

Organic Waste Management

Saving the Planet: Living the change

Saving the Planet: Living the change

Zero waste home.

Do you have a problem with your GARBAGE?

Do you have a problem with your GARBAGE?



1. 'Garbage stinks' because it consists of rotting organic matter.

2.`Garbage is ugly' because we do not throw it properly in bins.

3.`Garbage remains uncleared' because there is too much of it which even municipal corporations can't get rid of.

4.`Garbage gets strewn' because it contains useful material which people, animals and birds want, and while looking for it, they scatter it.

5.'Garbage pollutes because when burnt in the open, toxic fumes and smoke are given off that cause respiratory disorders.

6.`Garbage becomes a health hazard' Mien it is left to rot on streets and roads. ']'his breeds insects, rodents and bacteria that cause and spread disease.

What is Garbage?

Garbage is waste that is generally thrown out of our homes, offices, parks, shops, restaurants and small commercial establishments. In our country it mostly consists of rotting vegetable and food matter, besides, paper, plastic, glass, rubber, leather, coal, porcelain, metal, rags, toxic material (batteries, pesticides, paints, broken tube lights and chemicals), building material and soil.

Why is there so much of it all around?

Most of us have the habit of retaining packaging such as cardboard, glass, metal or plastic containers for reuse in our homes and offices. We also consciously put away things like newspaper, tins, glass bottles and milk covers which can be sold to `raddiwalas'.

Despite this laudable habit which reduces much of the garbage thrown, there is still a lot of waste that reaches the roadside bin (each household generates almost 1/2 to 1 kg. of garbage per day). With increasing population the amount of waste generated has also increased so much so that it cannot be easily disposed of by conventional methods such as land-filling.

Segregate Before you Throw !

How do we segregate?

Keep four separate containers for DRY, WET TOXIC and SOILED wastes and make a habit of dropping things into the appropriate containers.

DRY waste : Scraps of paper, plastic, metal, glass pieces, rags, rubber, leather, crockery and even some containers which are normally not taken by the raddhiwalas, can all go into a white bag or bin, used cardboard carton, sack or basket. This can be given to the ragpicker once or twice a week.

WET waste : Kitchen waste such as vegetable peels and remains of fruits, vegetables, bone and meat can be fed to domestic animals or along with left overs and rotten food, garden litter, hedge clippings and the like, can be collected in green covered bins and composted in homes, schools, gardens and parks or in neighborhood composting sites.

TOXIC waste: Unused medicines which have not expired can be given to free clinics and hospitals. However, unused toxic material such as expired medicines, pesticides, chemicals, used batteries, tube lights etc., have to be stored in black bags or bins and disposed off in a proper manner with the help of the municipality or other government bodies.

SOILED waste : Soiled and infected cotton, drips, injection syringes and needles, diapers, sanitary napkins, dressings, used tissues and condoms should be collected in red bins or bags tied at the mouth and left in the corporation bin meant for safe disposal in sanitary landfills or in those meant for collection by the common Biomedical Waste Treatment facility operator.

Recycling can help save energy and resources!

Recycling of material is an important aspect that will definitely go a long way in solving the garbage problem. Recycling refers to the process by which material once used is used again to substitute for virgin material. For example, we all know that paper is made from wood pulp. To make I tone of paper, 17 trees need to be brought down. However, if waste paper is remade into pulp and this pulp used to substitute for part of the entire requirement of wood pulp in the making of paper, it will save trees.

Most household garbage is recyclable. Paper, plastic, metal, glass and rags can be reused in various manufacturing processes. Wet organic kitchen waste can be used to generate compost rich in plant nutrients.

In our country, most cities and towns have retailers and wholesalers who buy recyclable material either directly from homes, shops, offices and establishments like the raddiwalas or those who buy from ragpickers who pick material from garbage dumps and roadside bins. These materials are then sorted and sent to various small and large industries which use them in varying proportions to substitute for virgin material in the manufacture of articles.

Recycling has several benefits

It reduces the amount of waste that reaches the roadside bin

It reduces the amount of energy needed to make new products

It reduces pollution

It reduces the requirement for virgin material

It generates employment.

Reuse, Recycle and Reduce Garbage !

How can we reduce Garbage?

In our homes, offices, shops...

Let us learn to reuse any material as much as possible before we throw it. For instance, we could all save paper.

We could write on both sides of a page or make a new note book from unused sheets of old note books. Birthday cards and decorations can be made from used cards, gift wrapping paper and sweet wrappers.

We could carry our own cloth or jute bags when we go shopping. Plastic cups and containers can be reused for keeping pins, pens and little odd things which we require ever so often.

We could enquire from shopkeepers, office equipment dealers and other retail or wholesale dealers for schemes to exchange used containers, cartridges etc. while purchasing new items.

We could reduce consumption and wastage of chemicals such as acids (to clean toilets), cleaning agents, polishing agents, and motor oils. We could avoid using unnecessary and dangerous pesticides.

In our streets.....

Segregation means separation and involves the separate collection of different materials under previously determined categories. Segregation is a very important activity that one must do before throwing out garbage. Most household garbage contains many things that can be used. We often render them totally useless by dumping them along with other waste. We could make a beginning by segregating our garbage into that which is useful and that which is totally useless.

Apart from what we retain for re-use in our homes, offices, etc., selling to the raddiwala, or returning to manufacturers, there are items in the garbage, which are generally classified as `roadwaste'. These are scraps of paper, plastic, metal, glass and rags which are eagerly retrieved by the ragpickers. By doing this they are helping society save raw material and energy and are also helping themselves. However, they are unknowingly exposing themselves and others to dirt and disease by scattering waste while looking for useful material in the garbage.

To avoid this we can segregate even roadwaste from our garbage and hand it over to the ragpicker thus enabling him/her to earn his/her livelihood in a safer and healthier manner while contributing to saving our environment by recycling.

Organic wastes from kitchens, gardens and dining tables are compostable. Composting organic matter in pits or heaps or with earthworms reduces the stink and helps us obtain a rich manure for our plants.

How do we organize disposal of garbage?

Form Civic Forums of Residents of your neighborhood!

Explain to each member how their wastes should be segregated. Seek the cooperation of the Municipal Corporation, nearby tree bank/nursery or the Horticulture department to give a small piece of land for setting up a neighborhood composting site. Organize the ragpickers with the help of local voluntary agencies to pick up segregated waste from house to house, from shops, restaurants, offices, schools and other establishments in your locality.

Arrange payment to the ragpickers from the residents, school authorities and offices for rendering this service. Householders, office workers and individuals should be motivated to segregate waste in the recommended manner and the waste retrievers (ragpickers) should be trained to collect them separately and dispose them in suitable places as explained previously. The neighborhood composting site should be maintained hygienically and the composted material should be distributed/sold to interested persons and nurseries.

Take a little trouble today to save your children's tomorrow!
� Reduce your demands and wastage.
� Recycle and reuse things as much as possible.
� Think before you throw.
� Segregate what you throw.

Research & Development

Center for Environment Education, India

About AAWaM

The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India (MoEF) with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) has started a project in many small and big towns of India termed Eco-cities which are well known pilgrimage or tourist destinations having large floating populations, for proper and appropriate management of domestic and other urban waste. This project called Achieving Action in Waste Management' (AAWaM) hopes to not only achieve public participation in waste management but also develop a methodology which can be spread throughout the country to achieve cleaner cities and improved health conditions. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and Center for Environment Education (CEE) will be jointly working on this project in the next one and half to two years. Adisory Services in Environmental Management (ASEM), One World and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development are also important partners of the Eco-cities programme.

Pack a reduced waste lunch box

How to pack a reduced waste lunch box

When I was standing with my foot helplessly on the first rung of the ladder of my bank job many years ago, my packed lunch consisted of:

• Sandwiches wrapped in cling film or a plastic sandwich bag
• A chocolate bar or individually wrapped biscuit
• A yogurt, or similar, in a small plastic pot
• A packet of crisps
• A piece of fruit
• A plastic bottle or carton of drink

Yikes! All of the packaging would end up in the bin, along with my 10 or so disposable cups (and perhaps another chocolate bar wrapper if it had been a stressful day) collected throughout the day from the vending machine.

When Little Miss Green was at school, she got into the idea of baby bell cheeses, yogurt drinks that come in plastic tubes, along with dairy lea things where you dip the savoury sticks into some kind of naff dip.

Every night, she would bring her empty lunch box home. Only it wasn’t. It was full of packaging that went straight in the bin. More often than not she would have helped herself to a plastic spoon from the school canteen and bought on of those home as well. Into the bin it went.

Well, now I’m a reformed zero waste packed lunch person and I thought I’d share some tips. It’s actually quite easy to reduce your waste from a packed lunch with a little forward planning and some tweaks to purchases.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches do need to be kept airtight otherwise you end up with something pretty inedible by lunchtime. Especially if you’re working in an air conditioned office which tends to dry things out.

There are plenty of alternatives to cling film however.

Freebies include the paper bags you find in the supermarket next to the mushrooms. Am I suggesting shoplifting? Well, call it a perk for loyal custom if it helps assuage your guilt. Or just buy a few mushrooms if you really want to be honest about things.

If you use a vegetable box scheme, then keep the paper bags and re use them for your sandwiches. Likewise think creatively about the things you regularly throw away - bread packaging, the wrapping found inside cereal boxes, frozen vegetable bags, fresh vegetable bags from the supermarket. At least give them another lease of life before you finally resign them to a life of hundreds of years in the landfill.

The wrap ‘n’ mat are a fab idea that serves as a built in tablecloth too if you’re eating in a dubious place!

Crackers

If you switch to something like ryvita, oatcakes or rice cakes, these don’t need wrapping to keep them fresh. They’re crispy anyway, so the air between when you pack your meal and eating it won’t adversely affect them.

Bulk buying

Buying in bulk packs does save on packaging waste. Quite significantly. I keep promising the post on this, and it will be coming up in the future. So if you want crisps, buy a large bag, instead of individual ’snack packs’ and take a few in a small plastic pot each day. Some areas will recycle pringles tubs, so maybe you’ll have to treat yourself to a small tub of those instead. What a shame!

Sweet treats

There are some chocolate varieties that do not come in plastic packaging. These include Co-Op fair trade bars, munchies and rolos. But perhaps the best thing to do is buy a 100g bar that comes wrapped in paper and foil and just take a few chunks to work every day. Hands up if the bar lasts you past Tuesday.

Biscuits and cakes can be made for a fraction of the cost of shop bought and you can just take a couple in a small container inside your lunchbox. They can be frozen in advance and taken out when you pack your meal if temptation would have you eating the lot before you have taken the lid off your box!

Fruit and yogurt

Again with yogurt, it is better for the landfill if you buy a large pot and decant it into smaller containers. Alternatively, make your own with a yogurt maker or flask for the true zero waste option.

Fruit comes in its own packaging, most of which is edible! What isn’t edible will provide a welcome addition to the compost bin. Apples, grapes and seasonal soft fruit can be munched on the go, while bananas, kiwis and oranges can be peeled and the peelings taken home with you. Remember to pack a spoon or knife.

Thinking outside the box

Sometimes it’s good to think outside the lunch box altogether and to move away from the sandwiches, crisps routine.

Dips and crudites

Dips and crudités help reduce waste. You’ll need to put a little preparation into preparing veggies, such as cutting carrot sticks, cucumber and top and tailing radishes or pepper strips, but you can whizz up a dip such as humus or guacamole in the time it would take you to break the seal on a plastic pot. It’s a healthy and zero waste option.

Leftovers

Another idea is to cook an extra portion at tea time and take the leftovers to work with you. Pasta, couscous or rice salad are lovely the next day with some olive oil, herbs and veggies. You can add whatever protein you eat such as prawns, bits of chopped chicken or some chick peas to make a complete meal. Take this in a reusable box with your own fork!

Salad

Knocking up a salad when all the fresh leaves are available from farmers markets takes no time at all. Serve with some cooked meat, a tin of fish or a hard boiled egg. Again, put in a reusable box and take your own fork.

Something warm

During the autumn, home made soup in a flask will provide you with a welcome warm lunch. If you make it a thick soup with lots of veggies and some small pasta or lentils, it’s a complete meal in itself.

Drinks

For drinks, get a reusable bottle and fill it with tap water. You can be in with winning a reusable bottle from TAp by entering our pledge and win competition.

lunch boxes

Finally, you can’t go wrong with a laptop lunchbox. You don’t need any extra packaging, as a tray system helps keep all your food fresh until lunchtime. There are lots of inspiring recipes to try too. We have one to give away later in the year, so keep checking back to find out how to win one.

If you want to be more purist about it, and are trying to reduce as much plastic in your life, then you can buy stainless steel sandwich boxes and tiffin lunch box sets from Amazon.

Zero waste

Remember that one of the most significant zero waste actions you can take is to not waste food! So don’t overfill your child’s lunchbox and, as an adult, only take with you what you will comfortably eat during your lunch break.

What about you? I’ve only touched on the surface of a reduced waste lunch. How can we take things a stage further to create the ultimate zero waste lunch?

Waste Aware Quiz

Waste Aware Quiz

Find out how Waste Aware you are by trying our quiz. You will receive one point for every Waste Aware answer and your score will be revealed at the end.

Good luck!

1. What are the three R’s of the Waste Hierarchy?

		A.	Remake Revive Rubbish
		B.	Reading Writing Arithmetic
		C.	Reduce Reuse Recycle

2. Which of these could be repaired instead of thrown away to reduce waste?

		A.	Clothes & shoes
		B.	Furniture & toys
		C.	All of the above

3. What could you do to reduce waste from plastic carrier bags?

		A.	Put fruit and vegetables in small plastic bags
		B.	Take your own reusable bags to the shops
		C.	Recycle plastic bags at the supermarket

4. Which of the following cannot be composted at home?

		A.	Banana skins
		B.	Garden furniture
		C.	Leaves

5. How could you reduce waste from unwanted mail?

		A.	Recycle it at the kerbside or local recycling point
		B.	Return it to the sender
		C.	Sign up to the Mailing Preference Service

6. How could you reuse your empty drinks and water bottles?

		A.	Refill them and use them for packed lunches
		B.	Recycle them at the kerbside or local recycling point
		C.	Put them in the household waste bin

7. How many times can real nappies be reused?

		A.	Once
		B.	Ten times
		C.	As long as the baby needs them

8. How could your old CDs, computer games, books and DVDs be reused?

		A.	Put them in the household waste bin
		B.	Sell or donate them at a charity shop, second hand shop or car boot sale
		C.	Burn them

9. How many times is an average glass milk bottle reused before it is recycled?

		A.	Once
		B.	Ten times
		C.	Twenty times

10. How many times can an aluminium can be recycled?

		A.	Once
		B.	Ten times
		C.	No limit

11. What could you do with your empty glass bottles and jars to avoid sending them to landfill?

		A.	Recycle them at the kerbside or local recycling point
		B.	Smash them
		C.	Put them in the household waste bin

12. What new products can be made from recycled paper?

		A.	Newsprint
		B.	Kitchen roll & toilet tissue
		C.	All of the above

13. What happens to your food and drinks cans after they are collected for recycling?

		A.	They are crushed and sent to a landfill site
		B.	They are melted down and used to make new cans
		C.	They are cleaned and refilled

Could Your Child's School Pass the Zero-Waste challenge?

More than 1,500 elementary students from 5 Cleveland-area schools participated in the 2010 Zero-Waste Challenge. The one with the least amount of trash wins!

Parma's Bethany Lutheran Elementary School has 291 students, but they produced only 10 pounds of garbage during lunch on challenge day. Gurney Elementary placed second with about 50 pounds of trash from almost 500 students.

This challenge proves that it is possible to minimize the production of trash and still enjoy lunch.

The Zero-waste challenge gets students and parents thinking about ways to cut down on trash at lunch by packing waste-free lunches.

Simple waste-reducing measures include packing an accurate amount of food so that there won't be any leftover or scraps to be thrown away. Items that cannot be eaten, such as single-serving milk and juice cartons should be rinsed out and recycled. A greener shade of green would be to get the school cafeteria to serve milk and juices from a bulk source rather than individual, single-servings.

Instead of plastic or paper bags to carry edibles, use reusable containers such as a tiffin, as featured in the picture above. Tiffins come in sections of 2, 3, or 4 stackable containers. And since they're made of stainless steel, they won't break like glass, nor will they release toxic BPA or phthalates. The are dishwasher safe and can be used by both children and adults to pack lunches.

Other inedibles like apple cores, orange and banana peels, and "waste" from produce can be put into a compost heap.

With a little guidance, children can learn to pack a waste-free lunch while cafeteria staff can be prompted to implement low-waste meals that are made from less packaged materials like cartons, jars, etc.

Management of the cafeteria can also be upgraded so that an adequate amount of food is cooked to avoid lots of leftovers.

The point is, now that children and parents have proven to themselves that they can minimize waste, it would be great to keep up the effort.

Waste Management in a Private Kindergarten School

Waste Management in a Private Kindergarten School

Background:
It is generally recognized that solid waste has become a major problem
in many countries, including Thailand. Although the government has
provided some leadership on the supply side of waste management by
providing facilities and infrastructure such as sanitary landfills, the growing
volume of solid waste in Thailand magnifies the urgency of searching for
appropriate landfill sites every year. This search has become more difficult
due to conflicts between local communities and governmental agencies.
It is therefore, essential for the government to startlooking for solutions
on the demand-side of waste management approaches, such as in reuse
and recycling. The introduction of recycling activities is a huge challenge,
however, since waste sorting activities are unfamiliar to local people.
Accordingly, a number of waste management projects in their early phases
could not achieve their goals because awareness raising had not been sufficiently
emphasized. Awareness raising has thus become increasingly important,
particularly for the younger generations. A wide range of
environmental education (EE) projects highlighting environmental awareness
have therefore been developed in many schools and youth groups in the country.
The Maneeya School is one of these, a private kindergarten school with
17 teachers and 150 students of 4 levels, namely, pre-kindergarten and
Anuban 1-3 (Kindergarten 1-3).

Objectives:
The Maneeya School developed a waste management system for waste separation
practices along with a so-called “garbage bank” in order to improve
waste disposal and provide applied environmental education (EE) to the students.


Description of the activity:
The school implemented a waste separation scheme to distinguish recyclable
wastes for trading from the food debris as feed for swine. The garbage bank
activity then becomes an extension of the above that provides an opportunity for
students to become more environmentally conscious and to extend this
information to their families and local communities.
The garbage bank activity is an imitation of a commercial bank where bank
deposits are not money but recyclable wastes. At the bank, recyclable wastes
from their surrounding school areas and households are collected.
Newspapers, magazines, glass bottles and plastic packaging, are
collected and deposited by participating students. A transaction price for
these collected wastes is then calculated according to the current market
and registered in the student’s savings account. The garbage bank,
operated mainly by the school staff, also acts as the coordinating body
for collection and trading. The bank categorizes these wastes sorted by
the students and sells them to Sai-ma Sub-district
Administrative Organization (SAO) that in turn sells
recyclable wastes to private traders in larger volumes.

Overview
The model for solid waste management at Maneeya School is waste separation
practice sponsored by the school along with a garbage bank that combines
to provide environmental education for the students.

Awareness/capacity-building
(Hands-on environmental education)
Since environmental awareness plays a key role in the success of waste separation practices, awareness raising and capacity building programs for students and school personnel are a critical element for implementation. In practice, the students gradually learn about waste separation and waste recycling. Inter-communication between students and parents is also a powerful tool for sharing information with the community and making realize the benefits of waste separation and recycling.

Organisational arrangement
(Role of the garbage bank)
The garbage bank is a significant link between waste separation programs in the school and waste management practices in the homes. The garbage bank is also a focal point which ensures a smooth coordination and management. The bank has been set up as one of the school’s regular activities; it therefore facilitates the transfer of information from the students to their parents. Parents are thus willing to participate in the project because it is an opportunity to raise environmental awareness in their children, as well as giving them more confidence that wastes sorted out in this school management system will not be mixed up eventually somewhere else along the line.

Self-regulation
(Responsibility as a educational organisation)
Solid waste management in Maneeya School has been implemented in order to improve the
environmental performance of the school in terms of waste disposal, while providing handson environmental education for the students. Being an organisation which provides early childhood education, the school feels that it is its responsibility to raise environmental awareness in the new generation.

Impacts
Waste separation has brought about a decrease in school wastes. The activity is not only an improvement of environmental performance of the school in terms of waste management, but also in the development of better waste separation practices in the participating homes. This activity also creates extra income from the trading of waste. However, the financial issue is not the major concern; it is more important that the participating students have gained environmental awareness through these hands-on experiences. The students have developed better consciousness of waste management and their families have also been influenced to develop an awareness concerning waste separation and recycling.

Lessons Learned
Implementation of environmental management systems through public participation from
children to parents is a good illustration of a capacity building scheme at the local level. Moreover, since children are a valuable resource for future development, raising
environmental awareness among the young generation will lay a solid ground for future
developments. In essence, if the capacity building scheme can reach the smallest unit of
society, such as the children and their family, this will be a first step in a sustainable environmental management system.

Potential for Application
Waste separation is a simple practice that can be applied in many kinds of organisations since only limited resources are required. Furthermore, the garbage bank idea is a waste separation practice suitable for recyclable wastes in low economic return situations where these wastes are unlikely to be sorted by waste scavengers and waste traders. Nonetheless, since these wastes are separated at source, they are not contaminated and can be sold at higher prices The concept of the garbage bank is now being implemented by many organizations in Thailand, mostly schools, youth groups and local governments. Nonetheless, this kind of activity can also be applied to business enterprises in trading and service sectors. For example, a grocery shop or a convenience store could be a coordinating body for waste traders and local community members.

Impacts

It should be noted, however, that a strong commitment from project participants is extremely critical. Thus, it is essential that an appropriate awareness raising scheme be in place. Furthermore, waste separation and garbage bank practices can only be done successfully when the government’s central waste collection and management systems for separated wastes are available.

What are the main sources and symptoms of lead poisoning?

Main sources of lead exposure that can lead to lead poisoning are: Lead paints in and around homes contribute to dust and soil contamination that is often the most significant source of exposure for children. Children then ingest lead from playing close to the ground and having frequent hand- to- mouth contact. Significant exposure may also occur from lead paint when smaller particles become airborne during sanding and scrapping while repainting and remodeling. In addition, damaged paint and the weathering of paints on the exterior of buildings also contribute to lead in soil. Contaminated soil is a particularly significant source of exposure to children. Ingestion of contaminated soil, dust and lead based paint chips and toys due to hand- to- mouth activity form important sources of lead exposure in infants and young children. In addition to paint and dust, food and water may also be significant sources of lead exposure. However, relative importance of these sources varies amongst different populations. In infants and young children as much as 50 percent of dietary lead is absorbed, although absorption rate s for lead from dusts / soils and paint chips can be lower depending upon the bioavailability (IPCS, 1995). Absorption routes and absorption itself are dependent on particle size, chemical specification, and solubility in body fluids.

What shall we do if mercury (Hg)-spill from clinical thermometer?

Do not touch the mercury. Remove watch/jewellery to get contaminated with mercury vapor. Never use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to collect mercury beads. Use cardboard sheets to push beads of mercury and use a syringe to suck these beads. Then keep it in a plastic bag and air tight it. Further keep it in the container and dispose it off at a hazardous waste facility.

Solid Waste Management-Conversion of Waste Paper into “Pepwood”

Solid Waste Management-Conversion of Waste Paper into “Pepwood”
Nirmal Gram Nirman Kendra believes that, “there is nothing waste as such in the world.” It is the negligent attitude of the society that makes things useless & wasteful.
Waste paper generated in a household or in offices is generally thrown away indiscriminately or burnt off. Both these practices are harmful to the environment.
Waste paper of any sort can be recycled on a very small scale – even at household scale. In fact, conversion of waste paper into pulp articles is an old art. It was in practice even in small & remote villages. However with the rise of plastic era this art gradually vanished.
Nirmal Gram Nirman Kendra thought of reviving the technique as a part of its activities in the field of solid waste management. NGNK chairperson Ms. Nalini M. Navrekar studied the indigenous methods of converting waste paper into pulp. Afterwards she did exhaustive experimentation to improve & refine the process & also to make the final products of superior quality. Now the articles produced by this process are i) more elegant ii) stronger & iii) more durable. These are so sturdy that these can be an alternative to wood to some extent. Hence the name – “Pepwood”.
Main features of the technology
• Reduction of garbage by recycling of waste paper in a decentralized manner
• Generation of income out of waste
• Prevention of burning of waste paper & filthy sights
• Saving on wood articles since some of the pulp articles can be used in place of wood e.g. teepoy, serving trays, fruit baskets etc
• Some articles can be best alternatives to plastic articles.
Women/SHG members/unemployed youths/after receiving thorough training can undertake this activity. It is also necessary to attain a certain level of skill.

Types of waste

Types of waste
Waste is any material/liquid that is thrown away as unwanted. As per physical properties, waste can be categorized as:
A: Solid waste: Any waste other than human excreta, urine & waste water, is called solid waste. Solid waste in rural areas generally includes-house sweeping, kitchen waste, garden waste, cattle dung & waste from cattle sheds, agro waste, broken glass, metal, waste paper, plastic, cloths, rubber, waste from markets & shopping areas, hotels, etc. Solid waste can also be defined as the organic and inorganic waste materials produced by households, commercial & industrial establishments that have no economic value to the owner.
As per biodegradability, solid waste can be classified as:
• Biodegradable: Waste that are completely decomposed by biological processes either in presence or in absence of air are called biodegradable. e.g. kitchen waste, animal dung, agricultural waste etc
• Non-biodegradable: Waste which cannot be decomposed by biological processes is called non-biodegradable waste. These are of two types:
• Recyclable: waste having economic values but destined for disposal can be recovered and reused along with their energy value. e.g. plastic, paper, old cloth etc
• Non-recyclable: Waste which do not have economic value of recovery e.g. tetra packs, carbon paper, thermo coal etc.
B: Liquid waste-Used & unwanted water is called waste water
• Black Water: Waste water generated
in the toilet is called “Black water”.
It contains harmful pathogens
• Greywater: Waster water generated in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry is called “Greywater”. It may also contain pathogens.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

KONGU POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
PERUNDURAI, ERODE


WASTE MANAGEMENT
Due to Globalization, waste management is a tusk challenge against our human society. The environment loss its own qualities due to wastes day by day at speedy rate. These wastes are joined together with us when disposing after using them. When we approach them with a concept of “Waste to Wealth”, we can resolve the problems due to wastes and also can get new products at lower or no cost.
Based on this, our college involved in waste management by three ways as
1. Solid Waste Management
2. Liquid Waste Management
3. Gaseous Waste Management
1. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The solid wastes from our college hostel – Mess wastes, Vegetable wastes and human excreta from hostel toilets – are scavenged in a safe way by “Bio-Gas Plant”(based on Human excreta and Kitchen wastes). With this plant we scavenge at a rate of 300 Kg/day.
And also we are producing 25 m3 of Methane gas ( Equivalent to 17 Kg of LPG) utilized for our kitchen purpose. The Total cost incurred for this project was Rs. 4,50,000/- with Tamilnadu Government subsidy of Rs. 1,50,000/-


2. LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Our Kongu Polytechnic College also put our dedicated interest on water management through the following ways

I. Rain water harvesting tanks

II. Rain water Dam

III. Recycling of waste water

IV. Drip irrigation

V. Sprinkler irrigation

I. Rain Water Harvesting Tanks
We had built rain water harvesting tanks to save the rain water, which are collected from our college and hostel buildings. Really, our ground water level is improving significantly.
As it is crucial and meaningful work, we extend our works to our college surrounding villages also. We built rain water conservation tanks at our own cost in the following village.
a. Kuttapalayam at cost of Rs. 50,000 /-
b. Uthukuli at cost of Rs. 10,0000 /-
II. Rain Water Conservation Check Dam
In order to conserve rain water in the land markings, we built Cannels and collect the water and save it in a check dam. Doing so, the open well which is in our college premises, water level maintained in favorable level constantly throughout the year even in summer days also. The total cost spent for this project was Rs.1,00,0000 /-

III. Waste Water Treatment and Recycling
According to waste management, there are 4Rs which means
1. Reduce
2. Recycle
3. Reuse
4. Refuse
When the used waste water gets into the environment, problem arises in the form of mosquito tortures, odor, land pollution etc. Hence avoiding polluted water into ground is a basic thing to keep the environment in a safe way.
Hence, we Recycle, the waste water from our hostel mess and bathrooms with a water treatment plant at cost of Rs.8,00,000 /- in our Kongu Polytechnic College. The treated water is Reused for Green band of our college to various trees and plants through water minimizing ( Reduce) plans like Drip Irrigation, Sprinkler irrigation etc. for 10 acres of land. We approximately purify 2.5 Laks of waste water per day.


IV. Drip Irrigation
We are using the treated waste water to the plants and trees in our college premises using drip irrigation method to maintain the green band and pleasure atmosphere.

V. Sprinkler Irrigation
The green band of our college grounds with grass is maintained with sprinkler irrigation of the treated waste water.


3. GASEOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
The main factors causes the atmosphere to pollute are
1. Smoke from Industries
2. Smoke from vehicles
3. Wastes due to human and animals


We can protect the above pollutants, by avoiding the production and using the wastes for a newer processes.
On this basis our college is doing the following activities in a remarkable way.

i. Bio gas plant based on Human excreta

ii. Smoke testing equipments

iii. Tree plantation

iv. Bio Mass Gasifier unit

v. Carbon Trading

i. Bio Gas Plant
This 25m3 capacity plant is working with Human excreta and mess wastes as raw materials. We are getting 25m3 of Methane gas which is utilized for cooking purpose. This green house gas is protected in mixing with environment and utilized for our regular purpose. Hence, atmosphere is safe from pollution.
ii. Smoke Testing Equipments
We are having vehicle smoke tester in our Automobile Laboratory, through which vehicles are checked for emission of gases like CO, CO2 etc., If the levels goes beyond the prescribed levels, recommendations are given for improving it.
iii. Tree Plantation
In order to promote the trend against afforestation, we planting trees in the following levels

��Mango Trees in a 2 ½ acres

��Tree plantation by our college NSS volunteers

��1000 neem trees at SIPCOT area

��100 Neem trees at Semmandampalayam

��150 trees at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Uthukuli


iv. Bio – Mass Gasifier Unit
In India, 50% of electricity produced using coal. But this process emits lot of pollutants to atmosphere. Bio-Mass gasifier unit is used to produce electricity without affecting the environment.
On this basis, a 100 KWe capacity Bio-Mass Gasifier unit is installed in our college produces electricity by using bio wastes as raw material. The bio wastes are getting from our waste land development project.
10
v. Carbon Trading
As per the resolutions of Environmental meet in 1999 at Koyotto, Japan, each country in the world should decrease the emitting level of CO2 to 10 % from present level.
If it is unable to reduce the emission of CO2, that countries can tie up with the countries those are effectively launching the environmental friendly projects. They can borrow the Carbon Credit by equal amount of cost.
On this basis, Ms. Malgorzata Sieuice from Europe visited our Polytechnic College. The Carbon Trading is in process.
Conclusion
In sum, we have realized that it is not only the Ozone layer but the entire atmosphere that needs protection. What we have done and what we are going to do are only a few measures in this direction but in the long run, it will entail collective cooperation in this noble task. Thanks to the effort taken for the preservation of the environment, the earth will continue to remain, in our opinion, a safer place to live in the future. Let us all be up and going about doing our part to reserve our mother – our green planet.

Waste management. Traditionally, most garbage is buried in landfills, yet
landfills are filling up and closing down all over the country. Incineration is a poor
alternative. Kolnitz and Kaplan (2009) stated that even with pollution controls,
incinerators are the largest new source of air pollution, acid gases, toxic ash, carbon
monoxide, and dioxins. Thus, when deciding how to handle solid waste, the alternatives

should be in this order: source reduction, recycling, reusing, incineration and then land filling.
Recycling programs. Colleges and universities have a unique opportunity to
manage waste by using resources efficiently and effectively, collecting materials for
recycling and reusing, and composting food wastes (Wie and Shanklin, 2001). Those
actions can help them to enhance their reputation while reducing costs and contributing to a better community.
Kansas State University (KSU) is committed to becoming a more environmentally
aware community by expanding recycling efforts across the campus. Their goal is to
enhance the campus environment, minimize the waste stream, decrease waste
management costs and help the planet. Housing and Dining Services has a pilot program
for recycling at the residence halls. Moreover, housing and dining services uses "green" cleaning chemicals for housekeeping activities and all carpet is 100% recyclable as are many other products (KSU, 2010).
Grab-n-go packaging. To reduce packaging waste, university dining services
preferred food products can be purchased in bulk or in concentrate form, and many come in containers that are reusable, refillable, and recyclable or made with recycled content (Saphire & Goldstein, 1998). Services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Vermont, the University of Oregon, Dickenson College, and Colorado State University started to reduce waste by encouraging students to use fewer napkins and take
only what they could eat. The students have the option of using disposable containers or checking out a reusable container with their university ID.
More recently, Dickenson College started selling homemade reusable to-go bags for the students to use at the Grab33 n-Go to avoid wasting plastic disposable bags. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology started selling snack foods in bulk to offset the waste generated by individually pre-packaged snacks, using fountains for their sodas, juices and milk as opposed to individually pre-packaged drinks. The reusable bags, disposable containers, and packaging reduction are incentives for students to reduce waste and are good ways to educate incoming freshmen on sustainable practices (Brown & Eaton, 2007).
Food waste composting. University of Vermont (2008) listed items can be
composted as follows: fruit and vegetable peels, any food leftovers, coffee grinds /tea bags, meat scraps & bones, dairy & cheese products, noodles & pasta, and paper napkins.

Items cannot be composted as follows:

paper cups, plates or bowls, dishes or silverware, coffee creamers or stirrers, Styrofoam cups, plastic bags or saran wrap, and food wrappers or paper. Food composting at dining centers. Composting is a process that takes
organic waste including food scraps and yard waste, and turns it into a nutrient-rich soil.

The University of Vermont Dining Services has begun to collect food waste from several locations and take them to the Interval Compost Facility for composting (University of Vermont, 2008).
How is food waste collected? The following steps are involved in the process of collecting food waste:
(1) A contracted hauler uses a special dump truck to collect food waste,
(2) the truck is equipped with a hydraulic operated bucket that can dump two or more carts at once,
(3) the carts are lined with a special biodegradable liner made of cornstarch which helps keep the insides of the carts moderately clean, and
(4) the carts are kept inside or outside the dining services loading dock, depending on the availability of space.
The challenges involved include: maintaining cleanliness of the carts and keeping them from freezing solid in the winter (University of Vermont, 2008).

Reduce,Reuse,Recycle

First: Reduce


The critical first step of waste prevention has been overshadowed by a focus on recycling. Please help to promote a greater awareness of the importance of the "Reduce" part of the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra. For a great overview of how raw materials and products move around the world, see the video The Story of Stuff.

* Simplify: Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future. For information on voluntary simplicity, check out Voluntary Simplicity Websites. Learn more through books on voluntary simplicity.
* Reduce Purchases: In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
* White Pages Delivery Opt-In PetitionThe Compact: Join or form a Compact in your area - groups all across the globe committing for 12 months to not buy any new products (see lower right sidebar for groups).
* Replace Disposables: Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones (i.e., razor, food storage, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters, etc.).
* Buy Used: Buy used products whenever possible. Some sources:

* local thrift stores
* Ebay
* Craigslist
* Amazon (search on specific refurbished product)
* Freecycle (free!)
* local newspaper listings
* local material exchange sites (search in your area)
* garage sales (search in your area in the 'for sale' > 'garage sales' section
* used refurbished computers (check your computer manufacturer's website or Amazon)
* local used furniture stores (search in your area)
* local consignment shops (search in your area)

* Borrow From Friends: If you only need something temporily, ask if a friend or neighbor would loan it to you.
* Share With Friends: Share things like books, magazines, movies, games, and newspapers between friends and neighbors.
* Tree-Free Home: As much as possible, create a tree-free home:
o replace paper napkins with cloth napkins
o replace paper towels with a special set of cloth towels/napkins (or cut up old t-shirts for great towels) - store the used ones in a small container in your kitchen and just wash and reuse
o purchase bleach-free, toilet paper that is made from the highest post-consumer waste content you can find (80% minimum)
o if you print documents, print on once-used paper and/or bleach-free, recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available (or hemp/alternative-source paper, if you can afford it)
o reuse envelopes, wrapping paper, the front of gift cards (as postcards) and other paper materials you receive wherever possible
o read books, magazines, and newspapers from your local library
o create and use note pads from once-used paper
o leave messages for family members/roommates on a reusable message board
o make your own cards/letters from once-used products or handmade paper
o if you will be doing construction on your house, search out alternatives to using newly cut wood (no endorsement of any company intended):
+ Eco-Friendly Flooring Guide
+ straw bale
+ bamboo -- two sites to check out: Plyboo and Teragren
+ true (natural) linoleum
+ previously used wood -- one site to check out: Vintage Timber Works
+ cob -- three sites to check out: Cob, Cob Cottage, and EcoBusiness-Cob Building Resources
+ composite decking -- The Latest Trend in Decking
* Bulk Purchases: Avoid products that are packaged for single use (i.e., drinks, school lunches, candy, cat and dog food, salad mixings, etc.). Instead, buy in bulk and transfer the products to your own reusable containers. Many health food stores have bulk bins where they sell everything from grains to cereal to cleaning products. For additional ideas, read the Precycling information page.
* Buy Only What You Need: Buy only as much as you know you'll use for items such as food, cleaning supplies, and paint.
* Avoid Creating Trash: Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. (ask in advance), buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, don't accept "free" promotional products, buy products with the least amount of packaging, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a difference!
* Shopping Bags: While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. Learn about the dangers of plastic bags and what countries around world are doing about it ("The Dangers of Plastic Bags" slide show from Teacher Vishal Mody).
* Junk Mail: For ideas on how to reduce junk mail, check out:
o Reduce Personal and Business Junk Mail
o Do-it-yourself: Stop junk mail, email and phone calls
o How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam, and Telemarketers
o Opt-Out
* Waste-Free Lunches: Pack a Waste-Free Lunch whenever possible.
* Mug-to-Go: Carry a mug with you wherever you go for take out beverages.
* Address Early Consumption Habits: New American Dream offers tips for protecting your children from intrusive and harmful advertising that promotes mindless consumption.
* Encourage Hotels to Reduce Waste: When staying at a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast let the management know that you like to support businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices (including reducing waste). Print out and drop off the Sustainable Solutions for Green Hotels environmental tips list. To locate environmentally friendly hotels, search on the Internet under "ecotourism" and/or visit Green Hotels Association.


Second: Reuse


The media has done a wonderful job of selling us on the attractiveness and benefits of buying "new", "improved", "special", etc. products. However, we already collectively own so much that we could all survive for quite a while on the existing products - if we just reused them a few times!

* Garage Sales: Shop at and hold garage sales - this is a great way to reuse products.
* Reusables: Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc.
* Donations: Donate your old:
o household items - clothes, furniture, dishes, books, sports equipment, magazines, appliances, electronics, business attire, wedding attire, etc. (to charity)
o computer equipment
o building material (to companies who specialize in selling used material)
o cell phones and ink cartridges (to Cure Recycling - profits from reuse of items support the CURE Childhood Cancer organization. Free postage. Another place to donate cell phones is Collective Good). If you would like to start your own recycling program, check out Wireless Recycling. Learn how to erase cell phone data with this free data eraser.
o eyeglasses (to Lions Club, For-Eyes, Pearle, or Lenscrafters)
o extra hangers (to your local dry cleaners)
o art materials (to a school or cultural organization)
o unwanted boxed/bagged/canned food (to homeless shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens)
o etc.
* Buy/Sell Used Items: Buy and sell your items on sites such as:
o local thrift stores
o Ebay
o Craigslist
o Amazon (search on specific refurbished product)
o local newspaper listings
o local material exchange sites (search in your area)
o garage sales (search in your area in the 'for sale' > 'garage sales' section
o used refurbished computers (check your computer manufacturer's website or Amazon)
o local used furniture stores (search in your area)
o local consignment shops (search in your area)
o Recycler's World facilitates buying and selling used products (for home and work)
* Freecycle: The Freecycle Network provides an online community tool for giving and receiving free stuff.
* Share: thingloop facilitates sharing our belongings with each other.
* Throwplace: Throwplace.com lets you list items online that you would like to give to nonprofit organizations, businesses, or individuals.
* Community Swap: Organize a community swap program (i.e., designate a place where people can leave unwanted items for others to use).
* Packing Peanuts: Drop off at a local packing, shipping or moving store.
* Wash and Reuse Plastic Bags: With either a wooden bag dryer or in the washing machine.
* Buy Durables: Buy products that will last and take care of them.
* Teach Thrift: Teach your children the value of being thrifty (the wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality).
* Frugal Printing: Use both sides of each piece of paper -- for note taking or printing documents from your computer (at home or work). Create note pads by stapling together once-used paper.
* Kitchen Reuseables: Instead of buying these items new, save and reuse all: paper bags, rubber bands, twisties, boxes, and packaging material. Reuse your plastic bags with a handy bag dryer.
* Library: Pick up books from your local library or used book store. The library is also many times a great place for finding magazines, CDs, books-on-tape, and videos.
* Share with Neighbors: Join in with neighbors to purchase infrequently used products such as lawn mowers, ladders, etc.
* Refurbished Computers: Buy refurbished computers for less
* Rechargeable Batteries: Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger (some battery rechargers will also recharge regular alkaline batteries). Solar powered battery rechargers are available online.
* College Reuse: Dump and Run is a nonprofit organization that organizes the collection of college students' castoff items in the spring, so they can be sold to incoming students in the fall. The proceeds are then donated to nonprofits.



Third: Recycle

* Recycle Bins: Create designated holding "bins" for each type of recycled product and place in convenient locations in your home/garage
* Recycling Fact Sheet: Create a local recycling fact sheet for yourself and interested neighbors. The local Yellow Pages, Internet Consumer Recycling Guide and Recycling Resources are great resources. Find out where you can recycle:
o glass
o paper products
o plastic grocery bags (better yet - use cloth bags)
o plastic - including 1 - 7 identification codes
o aluminum
o cardboard
o tin cans
o scrap metal
o motor oil (one quart of oil can kill fish in thousands of gallons of water)
o ink cartridges
o household appliances such as refrigerators
o computer equipment and other electronic devices
o aseptic packaging (square boxes used for liquids)
o styrofoam
o tires
o athletic shoes (contact a local sporting goods or athletic shoe store - some donate used shoes, others recycle them)
o etc.
* Recycled Content: Ask your local retailers to stock more products made from recycled materials and buy products made from the highest recycled content whenever possible.
* Green Paper: In general, try to buy products/containers made from recycled material as often as possible to support the recycled product market. When purchasing paper products (toilet paper, etc,), look for paper that has been recycled using a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste. Also, purchase from companies that do not use chlorine to bleach their paper products (which creates dioxin waste).
* Natural Fertilizer: Leave grass clippings on the lawn as fertilizer.
* Composting: Start a compost pile with yard trimmings and food scraps. Learn more at Wikipedia's Compost page.
* Pack-it-Out: If you are traveling and no recycle bins are available, pack your recyclables home with you whenever possible.
* Eco-Friendly Burials: For the ultimate in recycling, check out the growing movement in eco-friendly burials and conservation burial.
* Recycled Gold: If you are shopping for wedding rings or other jewelry consider buying recycled gold jewelry and synthetic diamonds and gemstones.
* Hazardous Waste: The other key aspect of dealing with waste effectively is to dispose of toxic products at a hazardous waste facility. Products requiring special handling include:
o Building Materials - paint , varnish, paint thinner, solvents, rust remover, wood preservatives and driveway sealer
o Automotive products - gasoline, transmission oil, brake fluid, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, power steering fluid, used motor oil,used oil filters, used antifreeze
o Household cleaners - spot removers, rug cleaners, metal cleaners, bathroom cleaners, oven cleaner, drain cleaner
o Pesticides - insect killers, weed killers, flea products, moth crystals, fertilizers with weed killer
o Miscellaneous - photographic chemicals, acids and corrosive chemicals, pool chemicals, compact fluorescent light bulbs, Ni-Cd batteries

HOUSEHOLD WASTE

Waste is a material that no longer serves a purpose and so is thrown away.
In some cases what one person discards may be re-used by somebody else.
All wasters is particularly hazardous: If not carefully disposed of,
it will have an impact on the environment, whether it be unsightly
litter in urban streets or contaminated air, soil or water.
But what is equally important about waste is that it is recyclable.
For example, if all human, animal and solid wastes are recycled back to soil,
then we do not need inorganic fertilizers to maintain the high yields of crops.
Today India produces 180 million tonnes of food grains and consumer
13 million tonnes of inorganic fertilizers at a huge cost.
Therefore, time has come when we have to look at the waste not merely
as an environment polluter but a recyclable material of great
potential and energy saver.
In India we produce 300 to 400 gms. of solid waste per person per day in town of
normal size. The figure is 500 to 800 gms. per capita per day in cities like Delhi and
Bombay. The problem in these cities is how to dispose such large mass of solid
waste daily and this poses a massive and expensive problem to the authorities.

The composition of average domestic dustbin can be broken down as follows :
10% Glass
30% Paper/Cardboard
9% Metals
3% Textiles
4% Plastics
23% Vegetable Waste
21% Dust, Cinders, Miscellaneous
Some of the waste on the other hand may also contain poisonous substances like
mercury’s lead and cadmium from batteries, old medicines, household cleaning and
decorating chemicals and garden chemicals. Many of these chemicals are similar to
these found in industrial waste, although in low concentration.
The problem about waste is two fold
(a) How to dispose it of
(b) How to extract its recycling wealth.

Disposal :

The disposal system has four aspects.
(a) Control of waste at source (b) Segragation of waste at source (c) Collection and
transportation system (d) Final disposal.

(a) Control of Waste at Source:
The volume of solid waste will be greatly reduced if conscious people compost and
utilise the daily organic waste in their kitchen-garden as a manure.

(b) Segragation of Waste at Source:
If conscious people do not use the organic waste in their kitchen-garden, the least
they can do is to segregate the inorganic waste i.e. fused bulbs, blades, razors, old
shoes, tooth paste tubes, glass wares, empty battles etc. at source Municipalities
should create a bank or a dumping point where inorganic waste can be sent by a
simple and effective collection system. For example, a municipal official can visit
each street after every fortnight to collect such wastes from each house. In
Western countries waste banks have been formed where people can sell empty
glass bottles or deposit other inorganic wastes. Fortunately, in our country, a lot of
inorganic waste is already being recycled.

(c) Collection and Transportation:
The Municipality will have to design a simple and effective system of waste
collection for each street. At this stage, the local eco- club, mohalla or sanitation
committees can be very effective through mutual cooperation and motivation. The
primary collection can be through wheel-barrow system. This waste can be dumped
at a transit dump site. The municipal trucks can pick up this waste from these
transit dump sites and transport to the final disposal site.
(d) The Final Disposal:
The final disposal site can be one or more depending upon the size of the city. But
one disposal site in each direction of the city will certainly reduce the cost of
transporation.
The disposal site will also provide another opportunity for segregation of waste by
the rag-pickers (informal Sector). The final disposal of organic waste has three easy
options.

(i) Composting; (ii) Sanitary land-fills; (iii) Incineration.

(i) Composting :- The composting period is 6 to 8 months. Therefore, the size of
the composting pits has to be sufficient to contain solid waste volume accumulated
over a period of six months. The disposal site should be surrounded by a row of
trees to prevent air pollution from fugitive emissions. The decomposition of organic
waste will be carried out by anaerobic micro-organisms and gases like methane and
carbon-dioxide may be produced during the process of decomposition. The
composted waste should be sent to agriculture fields to be used as a manure.
Mechanical compositing plants have not been found economically viable. However,
research is going to accelerate the rote of decomposition with the use of warms.

(ii) Sanitary Land Fills:-It is another method of dumping of solid organic waste in
land depressions. The land-fills are finally covered with a layer of soil. Grass and
trees are grown and the site can be developed into a beautiful tourist spot as in
case of Delhi along Ring Road. But during dumping process, the waste material
causes lot of pollution by generating fugitive emissions and nauseating some”.

(iii) Incineration: - Incineration is the burning of waste material at high
temperatures. This reduces the weight of the waste by two thirds and its volume by
90%. But incineration causes lot of air pollution and release poisonous chemicals
into the atmosphere. This method is rarely employed in India except in some
hospital installations. Some power plants were developed to generate electricity by
burning of solid waste. But such plants have not been found economically viable.
Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) :- One way of generating energy from waste is to
convery it into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). Pellets are made from combustible waste
material and can be used in industrial boilers in place of or as a supplement to fossil
fuels (oil and coal). Roughly 25-30% of house hold waste is suitable for conversion
into RDF.

Recycling and Re-use :- As already stated the solid waste consists of two parts i.e.
decomposible organic waste and recyclable inorganic waste. The composting of
organic waste into soil manure in itself is a recycling process. The inorganic waste
once fully segregated at the final disposal site can be recycled for different purpose.
But the inorganic waste will be fully recycled if proper technologies are made
available. These days there is no problem to recycle paper and cardboard waste
because there are lot of factories which use these wastes as the only raw material
to manufacture recycled paper. But till now no technology has been developed to
use the old shoes. The problem will be solved if the manufacturers of original
products are also made responsible to develop suitable technologies to recycle their
waste products. For example, there is a plant in Delhi which manufactures new
plastic chappals from the plastic waste. Likewise, the bulb industry should be asked
to develop a technology to recycle the used electrical bulbs.
In view of the scarcity and value of raw materials, it is the duty of every citizen to
look at every waste as a recyclable material and harness its potential. The Govt.
Should create a separate department for recycling of waste. Such processes will
also result in lot of improvement in our environment where we live. The disposal of
waste should not be, taken as a problem but an opportunity.

For more information please contact
The Directorate of Environment,
S.C.O. 1-2-3, Sector 17-D, Chandigarh
Tel.: 541628