Solid Waste Management

For Anthropology (EVS) (9:40am-10:40am) Thursday (09-04-2020)
Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution (Continued…..)
Topics to Cover
Control measures of urban and industrial wastes:
An integrated waste management strategy includes three main components:

1. Source reduction
2. Recycling
3. Disposal
Reduction in use of raw materials: Reduction in the use of raw materials will
correspondingly decrease the production of waste. Reduced demand for any
metallic product will decrease the mining of their metal and cause less
production of waste.
Reuse of waste materials: The refillable containers which are discarded after
use can be reused. Villagers make casseroles and silos from waste paper and
other waste materials. Making rubber rings from the discarded cycle tubes
which are used by the newspaper vendors, instead of rubber bands, reduces the
waste generation during manufacturing of rubber bands. Because of financial
constraints poor people reuse their materials to the maximum.
Recycling of materials: Recycling is the reprocessing of discarded materials
into new useful products. For e.g. formation of some old type products e.g. old
aluminium cans and glass bottles are melted and recast into new cans and
bottles. Formation of new products: Preparation of cellulose insulation from
paper, preparation of fuel pellets from kitchen waste. Preparation of
automobiles and construction materials from steel cans.
The process of reducing, reusing and recycling saves money, energy, raw
materials, land space and also reduces pollution. Recycling of paper will reduce
cutting of trees for making fresh paper. Reuse of metals will reduce mining and
melting of ores for recovery of metals from ores and prevent pollution.
Waste segregation and disposal
Sanitary landfill: In a sanitary landfill, garbage is spread out in thin layers,

compacted and covered with clay or plastic foam. In the modern landfills the
bottom is covered with an impermeable liner, usually several layers of clay,
thick plastic and sand. The liner protects the ground water from being
contaminated due to percolation of leachate. Leachate from bottom is pumped
and sent for treatment. When landfill is full it is covered with clay, sand, gravel
and top soil to prevent seepage of water. Several wells are drilled near the
landfill site to monitor if any leakage is contaminating ground water. Methane
produced by anaerobic decomposition is collected and burnt to produce
electricity or heat.
Composting: Due to shortage of space for landfill in bigger cities, the

biodegradable yard waste (kept separate from the municipal waste) is allowed to
degrade or decompose in an oxygen rich medium. A good quality nutrient rich
and environmental friendly manure is formed which improves the soil
conditions and fertility.
Incineration: Incinerators are burning plants capable of burning a large amount

of materials at high temperature generally more than 900°C. The required heat
comes from oxidation of organically bound carbon and hydrogen present in the
waste material or the added fuel. During incineration high levels of dioxins,
furans, lead and cadmium may be emitted with the fly ash of incinerator. Dioxin
level may reach many times more than in the ambient environment. For
incineration of materials, it is better to remove batteries containing heavy metals
and plastic containing chlorine before burning the material. Prior removal of
plastics will reduce emissions of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Hazardous waste
Modern society produces large quantities of hazardous waste which are
generated by chemical manufacturing companies, petroleum refineries, paper
mills, smelters and other industries. Hazardous wastes are those that can cause
harm to humans or the environment.
Characteristics of hazardous wastes

A waste is classified as a hazardous waste if it exhibits any of the four primary
characteristics based on the physical or chemical properties of toxicity,
reactivity, ignitability and corrosivity. In addition to these waste products that
are either infectious or radioactive are also classified as hazardous Toxic wastes
are those substances that are poisonous even in very small or trace amounts.
Some may have an acute or immediate effect on humans or animals causing
death or violent illness. Others may have a chronic or long term effect slowly
causing irreparable harm to exposed persons. Acute toxicity is readily apparent
because organisms respond to the toxin shortly after being exposed. Chronic
toxicity is much more difficult to determine because the effects may not be seen
for years. Certain toxic wastes are known to be carcinogenic, causing cancer
and others may be mutagenic causing biological changes in the children of
exposed people and animals. Reactive wastes are those that have a tendency to
react vigorously with air or water, are unstable to shock or heat, generate toxic
gases or explode during routine management. For example, gunpowder, nitro
glycerine, etc. Ignitable wastes are those that burn at relatively low temperatures
(less than 60 C) and are capable of spontaneous combustion during storage,
transport or disposal. For example, gasoline, paint thinners, and alcohol.
Corrosive wastes are those that destroy materials and living tissue by chemical
reaction. For example, acids and bases. Infectious wastes include human tissue
from surgery, used bandages and hypodermic needles, microbiological
materials, etc. Radioactive waste is basically an output from the nuclear power
plants and can persist in the environment for thousands of years before it decays
appreciably.
Environmental problems and health risks caused by hazardous wastes.

As most of the hazardous wastes are disposed in land the most serious
environmental effect is contaminated groundwater. Once groundwater is
polluted with hazardous wastes it is very often not possible to reverse the
damage. Pesticides are used increasingly to protect and increase food
production. They form residues in the soil which are washed into streams which
then carry them forwards. The residues may persist in the soil or in the bottom
of lakes and rivers. Exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation and skin
contact resulting in acute or chronic poisoning. Lead, mercury and arsenic are
hazardous substances which are often referred to as heavy metals. Lead is an
abundant heavy metal and is relatively easy to obtain. It is used in batteries,
fuel, pesticides, paints, pipes and other places where resistance to corrosion is
required. Most of the lead taken up by people and wildlife is stored in bones.
Lead can affect red blood cells by reducing their ability to carry oxygen and
shortening their life span. Lead may also damage nerve tissue which can result
in brain disease. Mercury occurs in several different forms. Mercury is used in
the production of chlorine. It is also used as a catalyst in the production of some
plastics. Our body has a limited ability to eliminate mercury. In the food web
mercury becomes more concentrated as it is taken up by various organisms.
PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) are resistant to fire and do not conduct
electricity very well which makes them excellent materials for several industrial
Purposes. Rainwater can wash PCBs out of disposal areas in dumps and
landfills thus contaminating water. They cause long term exposure problems to
both humans and wildlife. PCBs are concentrated in the kidneys and liver and
thus cause damage. They cause reproductive failure in birds and mammals.
References:
Bharucha, E.; Kumar, S.; Nair, S. and Foulger, S. ”Text book of

Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses” University press (India)
private Limited 3-6-747/1/A&3-6-754/1 Hyderabad 500029,Telangana, India
ISBN:978-81-7371-862-5
Kaushik, A.; Kaushik, C. P.; Perspectives in Environmental Studies

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For Anthropology (EVS) (9:40am-10:40am) Thursday (09-04-2020)

Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution (Continued…..)

Control measures of urban and industrial wastes:

An integrated waste management strategy includes three main components:

Waste segregation and disposal

Sanitary landfill: In a sanitary landfill, garbage is spread out in thin layers,

Composting: Due to shortage of space for landfill in bigger cities, the

Incineration: Incinerators are burning plants capable of burning a large amount

Characteristics of hazardous wastes

Environmental problems and health risks caused by hazardous wastes.

Bharucha, E.; Kumar, S.; Nair, S. and Foulger, S. ”Text book of

Kaushik, A.; Kaushik, C. P.; Perspectives in Environmental Studies

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