The document discusses the factors influencing solid waste generation, including source reduction, reuse, and recycling, and emphasizes the importance of public attitudes and legislation in waste management. It describes various waste disposal methods such as landfill, incineration, waste compaction, biogas generation, composting, and vermicomposting, detailing their processes and environmental implications. The need for proper waste disposal to mitigate negative environmental impacts is underscored, highlighting practices that can lead to soil degradation and water contamination.

1. Objective, scope and outcome of the course

22. Composition of Solid Waste

23. Pieces

25. Research India Publications

27. 1. Following factors affect Solid Waste Generation Rates
Source reduction:
The waste reduction may occur through the design, manufacture, and packaging of products
with minimum toxic content, the minimum volume of material, and longer useful life.
Example: Improve product design to use less materials. Source reduction is the preferred
approach.
Reuse:
Reusing product over and over again reduces the waste generation.
Example: Using rechargeable batteries, reusable food containers, reusable glass instead of
throwaway water bottles, etc.
Recycling:
Recycling is collecting materials that can be broken down and reprocessed to
new items. Example: Household recycling products are - Paper products, Glass, Aluminium,
Steel and Some plastics.

28. 2. Effect of public attitudes and legislation on waste
generation
Public Attitudes - Significant reduction in the quantities of solid wastes generated
occur when and if people are willing to change of their own volition- their habits and
lifestyles to conserve natural resources and to reduce the economic burdens associated with
the management of solid wastes.
A program of continuing education is essential in bringing about a change in public attitudes.
Legislation Perhaps the most important factor affecting the generation of a certain type of
wastes is the existence of local, state, and federal regulations concerning the use of specific
materials.

29. 3. Effect of Geographic and physical factors on
waste generation
Geographic and physical factors that affect the quantities of waste generated and collected
include:
Geographical location: related primarily to the different climate that can influence
both the amount generated and collection operation

30. What does waste disposal mean?
Waste disposal is the method that is employed to destroy or recycle
unused, old or unwanted domestic, agricultural, medical or industrial
waste.
Name a few methods of waste disposal….
There are many methods of waste disposal, some of which are more
effective than others. These include:
Landfill
Incineration
Waste compaction
Biogas Generation
Composting
Vermicomposting

32. How is the solid waste disposed of?
Solid waste is typically disposed of by the process of incineration – where the waste materials
are heated to very high temperatures and reduced to ash, flue gas and heat.
We observe heaps of garbage lying along the roads while passing through a highway. Open
dumping is the most common method of waste disposal in India.
The trash heaps are usually left open to the environment and the elements. These seldom have
a sparse covering which can often attract pests or vermin.
Sometimes, these dumps are subjected to open burning, which can release toxic fumes and
smokes. There have also been instances where enough heat has been generated to trigger a
spontaneous combustion.
Sometimes, wastes are illegally dumped into rivers and canals or used to fill land depressions
without proper consultations. These practices cause a lot of problems in the long run. These can
range from the degradation of the soil quality to leaching toxic chemicals into underground
water sources. Therefore, to prevent such scenarios, proper waste disposal methods should be
adopted.

33. Improper Waste Disposal

34. Improper Waste Disposal

35. 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.

36. Incineration
Incineration is the process of controlled combustion of garbage to reduce it to
incombustible matter such as ash and waste gas. The exhaust gases from this process
may be toxic, hence it is treated before being released into the environment. This
process reduces the volume of waste by 90 per cent and is considered as one of the
most hygienic methods of waste disposal. In some cases, the heat generated is used to
produce electricity. However, some consider this process, not quite environmentally
friendly due to the generation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide

37. Can incinerators help manage India's growing waste management problem?

39. 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.

40. Biogas Generation
Biodegradable waste, such as food items, animal waste or organic industrial waste
from food packaging industries are sent to bio-degradation plants. In bio-degradation
plants, they are converted to biogas by degradation with the help of bacteria, fungi,
or other microbes. Here, the organic matter serves as food for the micro-organisms.
The degradation can happen aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without
oxygen). Biogas is generated as a result of this process, which is used as fuel, and the
residue is used as manure.

42. A biogas bus in Linköping, Sweden
A biogas train in Linköping, Sweden

43. Composting
All organic materials decompose with time. Food scraps, yard waste, etc., make up
for one of the major organic wastes we throw every day. 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.
This results in the formation of nutrient-rich manure. Also, this process ensures
that the nutrients are replenished in the soil. Besides enriching the soil,
composting also increases the water retention capacity. In agriculture, it is the best
alternative to chemical fertilizers.

46. 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.