Solid Waste

  1. Home
  2. Waste Management
  3. Solid Waste

Solid Waste Management

What is Solid Waste

Anything that is discarded by a consumer is called waste.

"Solid waste" means and includes solid or semi-solid waste generated    by waste generators or bulk waste generators at the level of households / commercial buildings / markets / institutions / public or tourist places etc.

 It however excludes industrial waste, bio-medical, e-waste, battery    waste, radio-active waste.

TYPES OF SOLID WASTE

Solid waste is mainly of three types-

  • Biodegradable Waste: Organic material that can be degraded by micro-organisms into simpler stable compounds including agricultural and dairy waste.
  • Non- biodegradable Waste: Waste that cannot be degraded by micro-organisms into simpler stable compounds, viz., Recyclable / Non-Recyclable Inert / Non-Recyclable Combustible waste.
  • Domestic Hazardous Waste: It includes discarded paint drums, pesticide cans, CFL bulbs, tube lights, expired medicines, used batteries, broken mercury thermometers.

Wastes like Construction and Demolition Waste, domestic Hazardous waste and Biomedical waste are to be stored separately and handed over to concerned Local Body / Corporation to be managed as per separate Rules made therefor.

Waste Management Options:

Solid Waste Management may vary from place to place depending on the population, quantity of waste, availability of land, terrain, climate of the area and waste characteristics generated in a particular area.

Integrated Waste Management is the most acceptable and sustainable approach that focuses on waste minimisation at source by adopting source waste reduction segregation, composting and material recovery followed by waste processing. Generating energy or fuel and sanitary land filling being the least preferred option.

This hierarchy, from most preferred to least preferred is as follows-

  • At Source Reduction and Reuse
  • Recycling
  • Composting
  • Waste to Energy
  • Landfills

Decentralized Waste Management with community level waste collection and Material Recovery Facilities is the most preferred option in general. Simple waste processing like composting, vermicomposting and converting non-biodegradable waste to Refuse Derived Fuel should be practiced.

Regulatory Framework

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 have been notified by MoEF vide notification dated 8th April, 2016, in supersession of MSW (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.

Responsibilities of Local Bodies / Municipal Corporations / Village Panchayats under SWM Rules, 2016 -

  1. Door to door collection of segregated waste.
  2. Establishment of Secondary Storage Facilities and Decentralised waste processing plants at adequate distance within respective jurisdictions to save transportation cost and time.
  3. Ensure and enforce waste segregation at source and processing of wet waste by bulk waste generators.
  4. Recognition of waste pickers and self-help groups and their integration into waste collection system.
  5. Submit Annual Report in Form IV to SPCB/ PCC by or before 30th of June every year.

Responsibilities of Waste generators under SWM Rules, 2016 - Highlights

  1. Segregate and store the waste in three different streams namely bio-degradable, non bio-degradable and domestic hazardous waste in suitable bins and handover to authorised waste pickers / collectors.
  2. Not to litter or burn the waste on streets, open public places, drains or nallahs.
  3. To pay user fee as specified by Municipal authority.

Special provisions for hilly areas as per SWM Rules, 2016

  1. Construction of landfill on hill must be avoided
  2. Convey the provisions of solid waste management under the bye-laws to all tourists visiting the hilly areas at the entry point in the town as well as through the hotels, guest houses or like where they stay and by putting suitable hoardings at tourist destinations.
  3. Levy of solid waste management charges from the tourist at the entry point to make the solid waste management services sustainable.

Responsibilities of allied Ministries / Departments / Concerned Administration / Concerned stakeholders, viz., Ministry of Urban Department, Ministry of Agriculture (GoI), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources, Ministry of Power, Department of Fertilisers, Secretary-in-charge, Urban Development, District Magistrates, Secretary-in-charge of Village Panchayats or Rural Development Department, Manufacturers of disposable products and sanitary napkins and diapers and industrial units have also been laid under the SWM Rules, 2016 , to ensure effective waste management with focus on end-product utilisation.