The document discusses methods for quantifying solid waste quantities, which is important for solid waste management planning. It describes that waste should be quantified by weight rather than volume due to differences in compaction. Common methods for estimating waste quantities include load-count analysis, weight-volume analysis, and materials mass balance analysis. The quantification of waste leads to the evaluation of generation rates, collection efficiency, and treatment efficiency to inform the design of waste management facilities and compliance with diversion programs.

1. MODULE 3
GENERATION OF SOLID WASTE

2. FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF MSWM
Primary collection
Secondary
collection

3. Lecture 5
Estimation of Solid Waste Quantity

4. The quantity of solid waste generated and collected are of
critical importance in determining compliances with central
and state diversion programs in -
 Selecting specific equipment
 Designing:
 Waste collection routes
 Material recovery center/facilities (MRFs)
 Disposal facilities
IMPORTANCE OF WASTE QUANTIFICATION

5. Information on the total quantity of MSW
generated and the quantity of waste that is
recycled or otherwise does not become part
of waste stream will be required to establish
and asses the performance of mandated
recycling program.
Compliance with Central and State diversion programs
Source: Annepu, R K (2012): Sustainable solid waste management in
India, Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WTERT),
Columbia University, Earth Engineering Center.
 MSW generation estimation of a
particular city/state/country leads to
assessment of percentage recyclables.
 It eventually enables to successfully
mandate recycling programmes and
decide overall recycling efficiency of a
particular region.
21.44
16.78
17.02
21.44
19.23
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
North
India
East
India
South
India
West
India
Other
cities
Recylable
percentage
MSW
(TPD)
MSW (TPD) Recyclables (%)

6.  As the diversion and recycling of waste
materials increase, the quantities of
waste generated, separated for
recycling, collected and ultimately
requiring disposal in landfills become
determinants in planning and designing
solid waste management facilities.
Design of solid waste
management facilities
Statistics of MSW generated in different states in India (CPCB, 2000)
The MSW generation estimation leads to
evaluation of collection efficiency and
treatment efficiency.

7. QUANTIFICATION SOLID WASTE
 Both volume and weight are used for the measurement of solid waste quantities.
 But the use of volume as a measure can be misleading. For example, a cubic yard of loose waste is a different
quantity from a cubic yard of waste that has been compacted in a collection vehicle, and each of these is different
from a cubic yard of waste that has been compacted further in a landfill. Therefore, measured volumes of waste
must be either related to degree of compaction or specific weight of the wastes under the conditions of
storage.
 Representation of solid waste quantities in terms of weight is more convenient because tonnages can be
measured directly regardless of degree of compaction.
 Weight records are necessary for the transport of solid wastes because highway weight limits restrict the quantity
that can be hauled rather than the volume.
Volume and Weight Measurements

8. 39031
100000
127486
MSW generation of India (TPD)
2004-05
2000
2010-11
 MSW generation of India in the year 2010-11
increased by 21.56% from year 2000 0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
Tons
per
day
(TPD)
State-wise daily MSW generation
Waste generated
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) India, 2000
Some data showing weight measurements of MSW quantification in India
highest

9. Some data showing future prediction of MSW quantification in India
Future prediction of MSW generation till 2051 in India
Region wise waste generation prediction (millions of tonnes/year)
Source: The World Bank
Source: Rajkumar Joshi & Sirajuddin Ahmed | Carla Aparecida Ng (Reviewing
Editor) (2016) Status and challenges of municipal solid waste management in
India: A review, Cogent Environmental Science, 2:1

10. Various expressions for Unit Waste
Generation Rates
 Residential waste – kg/capita/day
 Commercial waste – kg/capita/day
 Industrial waste – expressed on the basis of
measure of production, kg/product
 Agricultural waste - expressed on the basis
of measure of production, kg/ raw product
Source: Jindal et al., 1998
Generation rate of solid waste in kg/capita/day of Asian countries

11. Name of city
Population in millions
Source: Rawat, Suman & Daverey, Achlesh. (2018). Characterization of household solid waste and current
status of municipal waste management in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Environmental Engineering Research.
An example of
per capita MSW
generation
(kg/day) by
different cities
of India having
different
population

12. METHODS USED TO ESTIMATE WASTE QUANTITIES
Waste quantities are usually estimated on the basis of data gathered by conducting a waste characterization study,
using previous waste generation data, or some combination of the two approaches. Methods commonly used to
asses solid waste quantities are as below:
 Load-Count analysis
 The number of individual loads and the corresponding waste characteristics (type of waste, estimated volume)
are noted over a specified time period.
 Unit generation rates are determined by using the field data and where necessary, published data.
 Weight-Volume analysis
 Collection vehicles are weighed at entrance to transfer station using platform scales and the volume of each
truck is estimated.

13. Weighing of collection vehicle (truck) at
entrance to transfer station
Platform scales used to weigh the volume
of each truck

14.  Materials Mass Balance analysis
 The only way to determine the generation and movement of solid wastes with any degree of reliability is to
perform a detailed materials balance analysis for each generation source, such as an individual home or a
commercial or industrial activity.
Stored materials
(raw material,
products, solid waste)
Inflow
(materials)
Outflow
(products)
Outflow
(solid wastes,
solids in wastewater)
Outflow
(combustion gases
and ashes)
Accumulation = Inflow – outflow + generation

15. Waste placed
Mass leaving
through leachate
Mass leaving
through landfill
gas
Waste remaining
Mass
transformed to
other products
An example of mass balance in Landfills
An example of mass balance of
methane (CH4) gas from Landfills

16. Thank You