0081-Muhammad Yousuf Sher Project Environmental Chemistry.docx

Solid Waste Management (Project)
1
Govt. College, University Lahore
Environmental Chemistry Project
TOPIC:
“Solid Waste Management”
Submitted to: Mr. Mohsin Naqvi
Submitted by: Muhammad Yousuf Sher
Roll No: 0081-RE-BHE-CHEM-18
6th
Semester 2018-2023

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Table of Content
1 Abstract: 4
2 Introduction: 4
3 Sources & Categories of Solid Waste: 6
3.1 Biodegradable/ Recyclable Waste: 7
3.2 Non-Biodegradable/ Non-Recyclable Waste: 7
4 The inevitability of SWM: 8
4.1 Inhibition of Disease Spread: 8
4.2 Pollution Control: 9
4.3 Psychological Health: 9
5 Conventional Approaches of Solid Waste Management: 9
5.1 Preliminary Steps of Solid Waste Management: 9
5.2 Focal Elements of Solid Waste Management: 10
5.3 Generation: 11
5.4 Temporary Handling/ Storage: 11
5.5 Solid Waste Collection: 11
5.6 Transportation: 12
6 Disposal Techniques: 13
6.1 On-Site Disposal: 13
6.2 Off-Site Disposal: 14
6.3 Dumping into Sea: 14
6.4 Landfilling: 14
6.5 Engineered/ Sanitary Landfills: 15
6.6 Solid waste Incineration: 16
6.7 Composting: 16
6.8 Vermiculture: 16
6.9 Phytoremediation: 17
6.10 Mycoremediation: 17

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7 Advanced Approaches in Solid Waste Management: 18
7.1 3R’s Concept (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle): 18
7.2 Replacement of Gasification into Plasma Pyrolysis Vitrification: 19
7.3 Palletization/ Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF): 20
7.4 Automatic waste Collection: 21
7.5 Advance metal recycling strategy: 21
8 SWM in Pakistan: 21
8.1 Present Scenario of SWM Condition in Pakistan: 21
8.2 Waste Generation in Pakistan: 21
8.3 Solid waste composition in Pakistan: 22
9 Authorized Framework for SWM: 23
10 Conclusion: 23
11 Recommendations: 24
12 References: 24

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Solid Waste Management
1 Abstract:
The utilization of anything leads to the generation of either biodegradable, non-biodegradable, or
recyclable waste. Waste generation practice is continuous irrespective of industrial, municipal
level, and from big cities to trivial villages. To reduce the hazardous and unhealthy effect of waste
on the surroundings, it is managed in many ways by administered handling recognized as Solid
Waste Management. Unfortunately, overpopulation, urbanization, and industrialization have
boosted the use of non-biodegradable and non-recyclable goods. Main purpose of this writing is
to discuss the inevitability of SWM, focal elements of SWM, and to demonstrate the traditional
and advanced disposal strategies for biodegradable and non-biodegradable solid substantials. In
the end, the Solid Waste Management in Pakistan and some recommendation for improvement of
this system are discussed. The traditional solid waste disposal strategies are laborious, less
environment friendly because these are solely concerned with the degeneration of solid waste with
the generation of toxic air and groundwater pollution. While the main concern of advanced
disposal technology is to degrade solid waste with no environmental pollution, along with the
acquisition of valuable by-products. The innovations in disposal strategy include; Plasma Pyrolysis
Vitrification, 3R's Concept, Composting, and Palletization, etc. The present scenario of solid waste
management is dis-satisfactory due to inadequate disposal, poor management, and no proper law
enforcement in Pakistan. The prerequisite of law-making, public cognizance, sanitary landfills
establishment are considered as basic remedial phases to guarantee environmental justice by
Environmental Protection Agencies of Pakistan.
2 Introduction:
Solid waste management is administered handling of solid and semi-solid waste substantial from
its generation at its sources to its proper disposal. Solid waste is of global concern due to its
explosive expansion and this tremendous rise in volumes of waste is governed by drastic
intensification in population, urbanization & industrialization. Arbane regions of Asia are
producing millions of tons of garbage and trash every year. According to the careful speculation,
the trend of increasing solid waste generation throughout the world in the next 30 years is depicted
below;

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Figure 1: Assumed Increment of Solid Waste in Future
Solid waste is increasing due to an upsurge in economic growth and industrialization. Human
health and environmental protection are at the stake due to rise in solid waste so, the struggle to
combat this issue can be seen in the way that the world is moving towards the use of more advanced
strategies to deal with solid waste disposal. The world has moved toward 3R's which is a natural
way to control solid waste generation [1].
Additionally, there are some strategies that not only help us to get rid of solid waste but also to use
solid waste for producing useful products. Unfortunately, only 70% to 90% of waste is being
collected and a small amount is being dumped due to unidentified sites of landfills. The solid waste
dumped in landfills is hazardous because of leaching (seeping of hazardous chemicals especially
pesticides deep in the ground) and its amalgamation in groundwater. The open dumping of waste
causes various diseases due to harmful gas production. Open dumping provides the breeding site
for rats, cockroaches, scorpions, rats, and disease-spreading pests. Appropriate solid waste
management help to control fatal & infectious diseases and adverse influences on the environment.
There are various conventional and innovative approaches to the collection, transportation,
processing, recycling & disposal of solid waste [2].

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3 Sources & Categories of Solid Waste:
The main sources of solid waste include;
1. Medical Centers
2. Food Rations
3. Feeding Centers
4. Agency premises
5. Domestic Zones
6. Feeding Zones
7. Slaughtering Locations
8. Food distribution Points
9. Mining sites
Solid waste is categorized based on origin, contents, and intensity of hazards;
 Based on its Contents:
Organic, metal, glass, electronic, paper, and plastic waste substantial.
 Based on its Hazard Potential:
Infectious, flammable, radioactive non-toxic, and toxic waste.
 Based on its Origin:
Medical, Domestic, industrial, commercial, institutional, and constructional waste substantial.

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Figure 2: Origin of Solid Waste
Solid wastes may be biodegradable and non-biodegradable based on the type of solid waste.
3.1 Biodegradable/ Recyclable Waste:
The solid waste which can be broken down into simpler and harmless substances by
microorganisms is recognized as biodegradable solid waste. These include organic waste such as
fruits, paper, clothes, agriculture waste, and animal dung, etc.
3.2 Non-Biodegradable/ Non-Recyclable Waste:
The solid waste which cannot be wrecked down into natural components and can't be recycled is
recognized as non-biodegradable waste such as industrial, mining, municipal, radioactive,
chemical, plastic, and metal waste, etc. E-waste includes electronic products which have turned
reductant and non-operational, is also categorized as non-recyclable waste [3].

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Figure 3: Solid Waste Segregation
4 The inevitability of SWM:
Solid waste is increasing to an alarming level due to the explosive upsurge of population,
urbanization & industrialization. Solid waste is creating a lot of health issues by spreading
infectious diseases. Solid waste management is essential because of its contribution to disease &
pollution control, environmental protection & behavioral reforms.
4.1 Inhibition of Disease Spread:
The solid waste attracts the various vector flies, pests, and mosquitoes which after breeding in such
places, spread a lot of infectious and fatal diseases in humans and other animals. For instance,
Rodents spread diseases like leptospirosis & salmonella, Aedes Mosquitos are responsible for the
spread of yellow fever & dengue, Culex genus Mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of
Microfilariae's. These vector insects are the production of solid waste and they can be demolished
by proper solid waste management [4].

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4.2 Pollution Control:
Mismanagement of solid waste may cause various sorts of pollutions like water and air pollution.
The solid waste improperly dumped in landfills causes the leaching of hazardous and toxic
chemicals in the deep ground and ultimately amalgamate in groundwater. Polluted groundwater
causes a lot of liver and gastro-intestinal infections and diseases on its consumption.
Similarly, the improper combustion of solid waste causes air pollution which may spread various
respiratory and nervous disorders. This highlights the status of efficient solid waste management
in pollution control and environmental protection.
4.3 Psychological Health:
The unsanitary and messy environment causes demoralized & less-motivated conditions. The
appropriate solid waste management improves morale and strengthens mental power.
5 Conventional Approaches of Solid Waste Management:
Conventional solid waste management strategy comprises conventional steps of solid waste
disposal.
5.1 Preliminary Steps of Solid Waste Management:
Preliminary Steps of Solid Waste Management before the proper disposal comprise of following
steps;
1. Firstly, the solid waste type is identified.
2. Secondly, the source of solid waste is identified.
3. Thirdly, the potential hazard of solid waste is identified.
4. Lastly, the volume of waste accumulated is measured [5].

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Figure 4: Preliminary Steps of Solid Waste Management
5.2 Focal Elements of Solid Waste Management:
The focal elements of solid waste management are depicted and discussed below;
Figure 5: Focal Elements of Solid Waste Management

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5.3 Generation:
It includes all the activities in which material is consumed and sometimes becomes useless but
sometimes these consumed products become the raw material for the manufacturing of useful
products and in purposes. The useless material is identified and collected for its suitable disposal
method. This useless substantial includes municipal, commercial, institutional, street waste, etc.
5.4 Temporary Handling/ Storage:
This step encompasses the temporary storage of waste neat the site of waste generation by offering
small and sometimes large bins. These bins are labeled based on waste nature. Their frequency of
emptying is carefully performed after regular intervals.
Figure 6: Temporary Handling of Solid Waste
5.5 Solid Waste Collection:
Solid waste is collected from the storage containers and bins and loaded on the vehicles for proper
disposal or recycling. This step is crucial because of the careful manual segregation of waste
material. Collection frequency is also maintained based on waste storage [6].

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5.6 Transportation:
Solid waste after collection from storage containers, shifted on the appropriate transport mode.
The mode of transport is selected based on local convenience & waste volumes collected from the
site. The transportation modes are categorized in three forms;
 Human-powered translocation includes; hand-cart with bins, trolley, tricycle, open hand-
cart.
 Animal-powered transportation includes donkey and mule drawn-carts.
 Motorized conveyance includes tractors, standard trucks & tipper trucks.
Figure 7: Solid Waste Transportation Modes

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6 Disposal Techniques:
The waste material is disposed off by using different strategies depending upon the nature of solid
substantial. The disposal may be on-site and off-site.
6.1 On-Site Disposal:
These disposal strategies include;
1. Communal Pit Disposal:
This is the simplest way of disposing off solid waste by digging a pit of 6m3
for fifty persons. This
pit must be fenced to prevent children from falling in it. After every week, this fit must be covered
with a thin layer of soil to prevent the breeding and inhabitance of flies, pests, and mosquitoes.
This is a low operational and easy to manage the way of solid waste disposal.
Figure 8: Communal Pit Disposal

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2. Family Bin Disposal:
These are suited to the families generating a large volume of organic waste and having large plots
to dig a pit. The pit must be shallow till the depth of about 1m. This is solely managed by the
family, so no exterior waste labors are required.
6.2 Off-Site Disposal:
The final disposal of solid waste via following strategies are involved in off-site disposal.
6.3 Dumping into Sea:
In ancient times, the communities residing near the oceans used to throw their domestic, non-
biodegradable, radioactive, and toxic chemical waste of industries in the oceans by considering it
spacious. It was an environmental unfriendly and high-cost conventional disposal method. Sea
dumping is hazardous for marine life so, it is extremely discouraged.
Figure 9: Dumping into Sea
6.4 Landfilling:
Landfilling involves the dumping of solid waste in a huge excavation in the ground which is
covered daily with 0.5-meter soil to reduce the risk of flies breeding and animal digging up waste
heaps. The landfills are fenced properly and effectively managed by workers. Landfill formation
demands a large area, which sometimes is unavailable because of little space availability. This is
not so safe method because water percolation in landfill causes toxic and hazardous chemicals to
leach down deep and ultimately contaminate the groundwater by mixing with it.

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Figure 10: Landfilling
6.5 Engineered/ Sanitary Landfills:
In this type of landfill, the floor of the ditch is covered with impermeable fabric to stop the leaches
amalgamation with groundwater. Firstly, the leachates are collected, then treated, and finally
disposed off properly [7].
Figure 11: Sanitary Landfills

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6.6 Solid waste Incineration:
The solid waste which is combustible and hazardous is burnt for volume reduction, so the small
volumes of waste or ash may be dumped in landfills. The recyclable material is segregated firstly
and the remaining waste is burnt by incineration. The solid waste is firstly dried in the primary
chamber by a high flame hearth. The dried waste is ready to be burnt completely in the secondary
chamber. This process carries its demerits due to the toxic ash, toxic gases, and pollutant
generation, which increases the greenhouse gases and ultimately contributes to global warming.
Figure 12: Solid waste Incineration
6.7 Composting:
Composing is the breakdown of municipal and cow organic waste into simpler, useful, and
harmless constituents by using aerobic bacteria and fungi (use O2 for organic waste breakdown).
The compose is used as fertilizer and helps farmers to grow their crops and plants due to the
presence of excess nitrogen and carbon in it. The composting of solid waste is valuable because it
serves two purposes; one is the solid waste decomposition, second is the formation of nitrogen and
carbon-rich compost (soil for plant growth). The compost is made effective by vermiculture,
phytoremediation, and micro-remediation.
6.8 Vermiculture:
The nutrition value of compost is intensified by the addition of earthworms in the compost soil
which assists the rapid growth of plants and crops. Earthworm surges the decomposition of organic
waste. It is a clean, cheap, and safe method of organic waste degradation.

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6.9 Phytoremediation:
The use of plants for the contaminant extraction from the soil. The organic waste is degraded by
the plant roots which is recognized as Phyto-stimulation. The metal immobilization and so the
toxicity is reduced by Phyto-stabilization by plant roots. The rhizosphere is used for the
degradation of organic pollutants by plant enzymes and protein via the process recognized as
phytodegradation. These are the genetically engineered approaches of plants towards organic
waste degradation.
Figure 13: Phytoremediation
6.10 Mycoremediation:
The decontamination of the area by using fungus is recognized as mycoremediation.

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Figure 14: Mycoremediation
7 Advanced Approaches in Solid Waste Management:
There are the following innovations in solid waste management that have upsurged the
effectiveness of the system by degrading the solid waste in useful products;
7.1 3R’s Concept (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle):
a) Reduce:
The best method to manage solid waste is to reduce the formation of goods that are non-
combustible and difficult to recycle. The overpacking and non-biodegradable plastic bag formation
must be avoided to reduce solid waste production.
b) Reuse:
The reuse of solid substantial automatically reduces solid waste production. Reuse is possible
when we repurpose and repair the goods. For example; paper, plastic bottles, and bags can be
reused for different purposes.
c) Recycle:

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Recycling is remanufacturing of used materials into useful products. The recyclable material is
segregated from the solid waste before its final disposal. The Environmental Protection Agency
works to spread public awareness by telling facts of recycling. 1-ton paper recycling saves 17
matured trees, three cubic yards of landfill area, seven thousand gallons of water. The waste
management hierarchy is depicted below;
Figure 15: 3R’s Concept
7.2 Advancement of Gasification into Plasma Pyrolysis:
Gasification is the direct conversion of solid waste into a gas by using oxygen, heat, and high
pressure that results in the emission of toxic gases and toxic compound formation. Charcoal is a
by-product of gasification. The main goal of scientists was to a device such scale-up strategy that
gives high energy production, requires low cost, and useful by-product formation. Plasma
pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of solid waste by using plasma (which is formed at very
high temperature) in the absence of oxygen (non-reactive atmosphere) at a very high temperature
of 3000 ℃. It is particularly used for the degradation of plastic. The main product of plasma
pyrolysis is "Syngas” (CO, H2, CH4 & volatile organic compounds) which is used for the energy

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production by using generator and “char” is formed as a by-product. The anhydrous pyrolysis
results in the formation of "char" as a by-product while the hydrous pyrolysis sometimes forms a
liquid-like product known as "crude oil" [8].
Figure 16: Plasma Pyrolysis Vitrification
7.3 Palletization/ Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF):
Palletization or refuse-derived fuel is the process of segregation of combustible fuel from the non-
combustible fuel and making it high in calorific value. RDF is used as cooking fuel. The calorific
value of municipal solid waste is 1000 kcal/kg while the calorific value of RDF is 3000-4000
kcal/kg.
Figure 17: Palletization

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7.4 Automatic waste Collection:
The sensors are installed on the storage bins which give the instant trigger alert to empty the bin
on the time.
7.5 Advance metal recycling strategy:
Now the valuable metals like platinum, iridium, and palladium can be recycled by using the latest
technology like plasma arc.
8 SWM in Pakistan:
The population of Pakistan is increasing 6 percent per year and so the urbanization has fastened
which in return accelerated the solid waste production. The government of Pakistan has estimated
that about 87,000 tons of solid waste is produced per day and 48.5 million tons per year in Pakistan.
70-90% of waste is disposed off while the remaining waste recycling.
8.1 Present Scenario of SWM Condition in Pakistan:
 A very small portion of solid waste is properly collected, transported & disposed off.
 There are inadequate and inefficient disposing solid waste treatments in hospitals, industries,
and laboratories. The plastic substantial is carelessly thrown into water bodies which are
creating environmentally unfriendly conditions.
 The solid waste is burnt by the traditional incineration method which is polluting the air with
toxic gases.
 The poor economic situation of Pakistan deprives the practical implementation of advanced
incineration and recycling technology.
 Dumping, landfilling, and open burning are usually practiced for solid waste disposal, while
sanitary landfilling and composing are evolving innovative strategies in Pakistan.
8.2 Waste Generation in Pakistan:
According to the careful estimate of EPA, the major cities of Pakistan are producing about 1.89-
4.29 kg of waste per hour. This excessive waste production is the result of exploding population.
The percent weight and nature of solid waste is depicted below;

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Figure 18: Waste Generation in different cities of Pakistan
8.3 Solid waste composition in Pakistan:
The percentage generation of solid waste in Pakistan is depicted below;
Figure 19: Solid waste composition
This spherical graph indicates that plastic, glass, and ceramic which are non-biodegradable wastes
are excessively generated in Pakistan.

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9 Authorized Framework for SWM:
The last legislation passed for the legal framework established in Pakistan was in 1997 which
focused to make Environmental Protection Agencies on provisional and federal levels. The main
goal of these agencies was to ensure the proper collection, disposal, and adaption of such strategies
which increase the recycling rate and less production of non-biodegradable waste [9]. The waste
disposal strategy by Lahore Waste Management Company is given drafted as;
Figure 20: Legal Framework for SWM
10 Conclusion:
Solid waste management is quite difficult but much be properly practiced in the world. Public
awareness is considered a preliminary tool to manage solid waste and to reduce its hazardous
impacts on human health and the environment. Certain innovations in process, product, and eco
much be ensured to shift the traditional solid waste disposal strategies into advanced and
environment-friendly waste management strategies. Developing countries are lagging behind the
modern world in strategies and technologies related to Solid Waste Management. There is a
prerequisite of appropriate infrastructure and systematization to have proper Solid Waste

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Management. There must be movements for public awareness & proper legislation over this
subject to calm the current foul condition.
11 Recommendations:
We can improve solid waste management in Pakistan by considering and implementing some
commendations.
 The efficiency of solid waste management can be improved by the engrossment of the
private sector via Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).
 From a very basic level, children should be aware of solid waste management and its
disposal strategies.
 There must be strict punishment on littering of solid waste in cities, towns & urban areas.
 The size of storage bins must be increased up to 20% for more waste storage capacity.
 The non-biodegradable material synthesis should be reduced and replaced with
biodegradable alternatives.
12 References:
[1]. R.K.Annepu, Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Earth Engineering Center Report
2012
[2]. Anand, S. (2010). Solid waste management. Mittal Publications.
[3]. Gangadhara, B., & Keshavanath, P. (2008). Planktonic and biochemical composition of
periphyton grown on some biodegradable and non-degradable substrates. Journal of
applied aquaculture, 20(3), 213-232.
[4]. Pushkareva, L. (2020). Implementation of the law on solid waste management in Vietnam
today: necessity, problem and solutions. Available at SSRN 3663174.
[5]. Central Pollution Control Board, Plastic waste management: Environmental issues and
Challenges.
[6]. Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD), Government of India. Solid Waste
Management Manual, New Delhi: Ministry of Urban Development, 2000
[7]. Zanoni, A. E. (1972). Ground‐Water Pollution and Sanitary Landfills—A Critical Review
a. Groundwater, 10(1), 3-16.

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[8]. Rutberg, P. G. (2003). Plasma pyrolysis of toxic waste. Plasma physics and controlled
fusion, 45(6), 957.
[9]. Rahman, M. A. (2013). Revisiting solid waste management (SWM): a case study of
Pakistan. International Journal of Scientific Footprints, 1(1), 33-42.

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