June 1st 2022

Unit-IX People, Development and Environment

Chapter 5 : Solid Liquid Wastes and Disaster Management

What is Solid and Liquid Waste?

Solid and Liquid wastes are produced by both animal and household sources and can altogether impair drinking, fertilization, recreational water, and other water sources in agricultural and municipal regions. Different issues of waste in over a significant period, environmental science, the general part of reusing, and materials restoration are determined.

Waste is the outcast and defective product of life.
The waste is just the issue when they occur in areas or in focuses that may antagonistically influence the standard of life of the occupants of that zone.
The problem of the waste material increases based on the population in a particular country, and their degree of mobility decreases.

Source of Waste

In the following, we have mentioned the source of waste for solid and liquid separation in detail to understand it correctly-

Source of Solid Waste- Dumping of solid wastes is a stinging and extensive in both agricultural and urban regions in many developed and developing nations.

From the following pie chart, you will find the segregation of solid waste based on the composition and characterization of the material-

From the above diagram, the discrimination shows wastage of paper is high comparatively from the other sources used by the human and which is converted into the waste.

Food Solid Waste- The solid waste of the food is described, such as- kitchen refuse, trash, swill, and so on. The food waste comes from residencies and industrial enterprises, including restaurants, supermarkets, and unfold stands, institutional cafeterias, and pantries.
Disposal Solid Waste- Devising the poor route, shortage of knowledge concerning the mass program, the number of traffic for stable garbage accumulation and impoverished streets, and inadequate infrastructure are the solid wastes. The disposal of plastic waste is a major environmental problem.
A massive amount of plastic waste generated every year from all over the world. Several Canals and drains as open places are widely used to dump varieties of garbage as a source of domestic organic and inorganic waste.

Source of Liquid Waste- The variety and composition of liquid waste depend on dump sources which converted into waste fluid comes from- household sources, industrial endowments, and manufacturers are the leading cause of the urban areas.

The formation of liquid waste, also called wastewater, is exceptionally different and relies substantially upon its source.
A few Canals and depletes as open places are generally used to dump collections of garbage as a source of domestic organic and inorganic waste.
The liquid waste coming for the rotten food and the garbage from the industrial area in the form of fluid is harmful to humans as well as nature as it contains a variety of compound chemicals.
Stormwater is also the form of liquid waste as the fluid waste coming from the commercial, residential, and manufacturing sectors, which poisoned with various types of pollutants such as- faecal matter, soil, litter, and oil from vehicles.

Impact on the Environment

The solid and liquid waste will create a severe negative impact on the environment. In the following points, we have mentioned the adverse effects of solid waste on the environment-

Due to the open dumps of the solid waste the odour emitting from these dumps being affected nearby areas.
The harmful gases are ceaselessly presented to the environment.
The inadequacies of lab-based poisonousness tests are discussed, and techniques that are accessible for the quantitative assessment of marine networks are illustrated.
The consequences of water waste will damage the living life directly and will affect animals and fishes etc. in Water and humans are also at considerable risk.
The sources of the liquid waste directly damage the livings things inside the Water through various harmful gases and the liquids coming from the industries, commercial, and households.
Penetrating rainwater through the open dump poisoning groundwater supplies.

Impact on Human Health

Ill-advised removal of waste can enormously influence the wellbeing of the populace living close by the contaminated zone or landfills. Squander removal laborers and different workers in these landfill facilities are at a more severe hazard.

Introduction to inappropriately took care of wastes can cause

Skin irritation
Blood diseases
Respiratory issues
Development issues
Regenerative issues
Low birth weight
Neurological disease
Nausea and vomiting

Waste Management Strategy

The Hierarchy of Waste Management in order or preference, beginning with prevention as the most favourable to disposal as the least desirable option are shown in the below figure-

Recycling of waste products such as- glass, paper, plastics, wood, metals, etc. converted into the fabrication of new products that can use further.
The less hazardous waste materials can manufacture again.
The recovery of the plant-based wastes is frequently grown and reused as a mulch and fertilizer.
The food-based oils are being utilized and retrieved in the form of “Biodiesel.”
The organic wastes such as food waste, garden waste, and animal dung that consist of naturally degrading bacteria can occur transformed under controlled circumstances into compost, which can later be used as a natural fertilizer.

Solid Wastes

It is an everyday item that is discarded or abandoned.
Materials like garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, or air pollution control facility are considered as Solid Wastes.
These solid wastes could be solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material, resulting from industrial activities, mining operations and agricultural use.

Statistics

150,000 tonnes of municipal waste per day is generated in India.
According to the World Bank, India’s daily waste generation will reach 377,000 tonnes by 2025.
62 million tonnes of waste is generated every year in India, less than 60% is collected and 15% is processed.
Maharashtra is the largest solid waste producer. Delhi comes in second place. Sikkim produces the least amount of solid waste.

Types of solid waste depending on their source

Municipal waste,
Hazardous waste and
Biomedical waste or hospital waste.

1. Municipal solid waste

It consists of household waste, construction from building and demolition debris coming from the building site, sanitation residue, and waste from streets.
Rising urbanisation is the main cause of the rapid increase in the amount of municipal solid waste.
Changing the lifestyle of consumers has led to products being packed in plastics, aluminium foils, and other such non-biodegradable items that cause hazard to the environment.

2. Hazardous waste

Substances that contain toxic material that comes from Industries and Hospitals are called Hazardous waste.
It is toxic and harmful to humans, animals and plants.
Four states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are the main contributor of solid waste.
Old batteries, shoe polish, paint tins, old medicines, and medicine bottles are some of the hazardous waste that is generated in a household on daily basis.
Industrial sector generates waste- metal, chemical, paper, pesticide, dye, refining, and rubber goods industries.
Direct exposure to this waste is fatal to human beings.
Direct exposure to chemicals in hazardous waste such as mercury and cyanide can be fatal.

3. Hospital waste

It is generated during testing, diagnosis, immunisation, treatment or in research activities.
Chemicals used in hospitals for different treatment and research activities when not disposed of safely could be fatal to living beings.
These chemicals include formaldehyde and phenols, which are used as disinfectants, and mercury, which is used in thermometers or equipment that measure blood pressure.
Other hospital waste includes wastes like a soiled waste, disposables, anatomical waste, cultures, discarded medicines, chemical wastes, disposable syringes, swabs, bandages, body fluids, human excreta, etc.

Treatment and disposal of solid waste

1. Open dumps

Most of the waste that is being generated in India is going to a dumping site.
This is a harmful and hazardous practice.
Open dumps are uncovered site used for dumping waste.
The waste here is unsegregated, untreated, and uncovered.
It is the breeding ground for flies and rats that spread disease.
The rainwater run-off from these dumps contaminates nearby land and water thereby spreading disease.
This mode of waste disposal has to be phased out.

2. Landfills

This form of waste disposal is mostly used in urban areas.
A pit is dug in the ground.
The garbage is disposed in the pit and it is covered with soil every day.
It prevents the breeding of flies and rats.
Thus, every day, garbage is dumped and sealed.
In the end, the site is covered with a thick layer of mud.
Thereafter the site could be used for a building parking lot or a park.
This practice is also harmful because leaching of harmful waste contaminates groundwater and soil.

3. Sanitary landfills

This form of waste disposal was made keeping in mind the problem of leaching.
Impermeable material like plastic and clay are used to cover soil.
But this method is expensive.

4. Incineration plants

In this form of waste disposal, waste is burned in a large furnace at a very high temperature.
Recyclable material is segregated first and then the rest of the material is burnt then.
But burning garbage is not a clean process as it produces tonnes of toxic ash and pollutes the air and water.

5. Pyrolysis

In this, combustion takes place in the absence of oxygen.
It is an alternative to incineration.
The gas and liquid thus obtained can be used as fuels.

6. Composting

In this biodegradable waste is decomposed using microorganism like fungi and bacteria.
The final product obtained is called humus and is good for growing plants.
Humus increases the soil’s ability to hold water and makes the soil easier to cultivate.
It helps the soil retain more plant nutrients.
Hums enrich the soil by returning back the nutrients.
Apart from being clean, cheap, and safe, composting can significantly reduce the amount of disposable garbage.

7. Vermiculture

In this earthworm are used in compost.
These worms break the waste and the added excreta of the worms makes the compost very rich in nutrients.

Government measures

1. Solid waste management rule 2016:

It replaced Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and handling) rules, 2000.
Now, new rules are applicable beyond municipal areas and have included urban agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, etc.
It focused on segregating waste at source, user collection fee, the responsibility of the manufacturer.
Central Monitoring Committee has been constituted under MoEF&CC to monitor the implementation of rules.

2. Ministry of Housing and urban development launched a campaign – ‘Compost Banao, compost Apnao’ to encourage people to convert kitchen waste into compost.

3. India’s first e-waste clinic has been set up in Bhopal, M.P.

4. Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

It defines the thickness of plastic carry bags as 50 microns. This would increase the cost and discourage the use of polythene.
Andhra Pradesh has launched India’s First online waste exchange platform for scientific disposal of industrial waste.

Electronic Waste

Any electronic or electrical appliances which are not in use anymore or discarded comes under Electronic Waste (E-Waste). It includes the goods working and cracked objects that are thrown in the trash or distributed to a charity. If no will purchase the item, it will be thrown away.

Electronic Waste is hazardous due to toxic compounds that naturally filter from the elements inside during buried.
E-waste is the electronic items that are undesirable, not working, and approaching or toward the finish of their "helpful life."
Computer, Television, VCRs, Laptops, Stereos, Fax Machine, etc. are an example of some of the electronic products which we use in our daily life.

Source of Electronic Waste

Electronic Waste as of now comprises 2-3% of the U.S. mun waste stream, yet it's answerable for practically 70% of our harmful Waste. Carnegie Mellon University has anticipated that there are as of now 70 million PCs in our landfills. The regular PC screen has, in any event, five to eight pounds of lead, representing 40% of all the lead in U.S. landfills.

In the following points, the electronic devices are mentioned that are the source of E-waste product from the products which we use in our daily life-

Computer Devices- Monitor, Speakers, Keyboard, Printers, Mouse, etc.
Entertainment Devices- Television, DVD Player, CD Player, etc.
Communication Devices- Mobile, Landline Phones, Fax, etc.
Household Appliances- Microwave Oven, Vaccum Cleaner, Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Air Conditioner, etc.
Audio and Visual Devices- VCRs, Stereos, etc.

Help from Government and Other Resources

The ASSOCHAM report (2017) suggests that the administration may take a look at working together with the business to draw out formal/standard working strategies and a phased approach towards the motivation of diminishing e-waste to the lowest.

Considering the unfavorable effects generated by untreated e-waste on earth, water, and air, the Government ought to empower the new business people by offering fundamental money related help and technological guidance.

Impact on the Environment

The Waste of Electronic Devices creates a horrible effect on the environment, to avoid the harmful impact on the environment, it is essential to give the e-waste to the R2 certified recycling facility. In the below points, we mentioned some of the hazardous effects of the e-waste on the environment-

The devices thrown to the landfills, the toxic element leak into the groundwater that affects the animals of land and sea both.
The poisonous of substantial metals and chemicals generate from e-waste enter the soil, which is one of the most significant fields for overwhelming metals' presentation to people. These chemicals are non-biodegradable—they endure in the environment for an extended period, increasing the danger of exposure.
Improper removal of these electronic wastes affects the soil, air, and water segments of the earth.

Impact on Human Health

The health impacts of these poisons on people include birth defects and brain injury, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal system, reproductive system, etc.

Most of the electronic devices contain toxic materials like- lead, zinc, nickel, barium, chromium, etc. these toxic elements released in the environment it generates damage to human blood, kidneys, and central and peripheral nervous system.

E-Waste Management Strategy

All the electronic devices such a- television, computer, speakers, battery router, mobile, etc.should be arranged at the segment level, and every part is settling to change over it again into raw materials (usable materials) towards the manufacturing of new and existing items.
To stop the problem of the environmental issue, human health, and save valuable resources, it requires ultimate disposal at properly authorized by the Indian Government with sanctioned amenities for some components & products.
The alliance of the informal division into a straightforward reusing framework is vital for better control of the ecological and human health impacts.
E-waste is a precious origin of metals, for example, gold, silver, and copper, which can be recovered and brought again into the production cycle.

Conclusion

The management of E-waste is a challenge for developing countries like India. Day-by-day it is becoming a huge environmental problem and health issue. Depreciating the number of hazardous materials in e-items will likewise have a constructive outcome in managing the particular e-waste streams since it will sustain the prevention procedure.

Also, the e-squander assortment targets should be regularly explored and renewed to ensure consistency across India on an assortment of e-waste.

E-waste management in India

The discarded electronic products whose useful life has ended like computer equipment, home appliances, audio and video products etc are known as e-waste.

Electronic and electrical equipment contain different hazardous materials which are harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of carefully.

E-waste in India

In the report of ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2014’ 17 lakh tonnes of waste is generated in the country in 2014 with an annual increase of 5 per cent of the generation of e-waste.
The 65 cities generate more than 60% of the total generated e-waste whereas 10 states generate 70% of e-waste.
In India, among top ten cities, Mumbai ranked first followed by Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat and Nagpur.
Most of the e-waste in India is recycled in unorganised units by a large amount of manpower. Recovery of metals by primitive means is a most hazardous act.
It can even cause damage to human beings through inhalation of gases during recycling, contact of skin with hazardous substances and contact during acid treatment used in recovery processes. So, proper recovery methods are required.
Proper education, awareness and most importantly alternative cost-effective technology need to be provided to those who earn a livelihood from this.

E-waste Management Rules, 2016

For the first time, rules bring producer under extended producer responsibility (EPR) and made responsible for the collection of e-waste.

Some of the highlights of rules are-

Manufacturer, dealer, refurbisher and producers’ responsibility organisation have been introduced.
Collection centres, collection points and take back system are some of the examples for collection of waste by the producer.
For the implementation of EPR (extended producer responsibility), PRO (producer responsibility organisation), e-retailer, deposit fund scheme etc are set up so that e-waste can be better channelized.
Provision of Pan-India EPR authorisation by CPCB has been introduced by replacing the state-wise EPR authorisation.
The manufacturer is not responsible for the collection of e-waste which is generated through the manufacturing of any electrical and electronic material. The manufacturer need to seek authorization from SPCB.
The dealer needs to provide a box to the consumer for collection and send it to the producer.
Dealer or retailer needs to send back the money to the system of deposit refund scheme of the producer to the depositor of e-waste.
Refurbisher needs to collect e-waste and send it to an authorised recycler. They need onetime authorization from SPCB.
The role of state government is also important to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in the recycling processes.
Transportation should be carried out as per the system. Transporter needs to carry a document prepared by the sender in detail.
The financial penalty is also introduced against violation of norms like damage to the environment or health of humankind.
Urban local bodies also carry the duty of collection of e-waste and channelize it to the recycler.

A holistic approach is needed to address the challenge faced by India in e-waste management. A suitable mechanism needs to be evolved to include small units in the unorganised sector and large units in the organised sector.

Disasters: Meaning & Types

1. Meaning of Disasters:

A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that disrupts the functioning of a community, region, or society which causes human, material, as well as economic or environmental losses and impacts. In contemporary literature, disasters are seen as a result of poor risk management with respect to environmental hazards and vulnerability. People who experience or live through a disaster can suffer from emotional, psychological and physical distress.

Broadly, disasters can be classified into two types: Natural disasters and Man-made disasters. Natural as well as human-made disasters affect many lives each year.

2. Natural Disasters & Mitigation Strategies:

A natural disaster is caused through natural factors or phenomenon that causes injury and loss to human life. The rapid growth of population and increased concentration of human life in a natural environment has intensified the frequency and severity of such disasters. Some other recognized factors are deforestation, climate change, unplanned growth, unstable landforms, etc. Some of the natural disasters include:

Earthquake: An earthquake is the shifting of earth plates that result in tremors ranging from few seconds to minutes. Within seconds, mild tremors can turn violent and cause hazards to human life. An earthquake can be tectonic (plates), volcanic (volcano), collapse (mining) and explosion (missile testing). Mitigation measures in case of the earthquake should be to shut off utilities and evacuation of buildings. Building earthquake resistant buildings can also be effective for low-frequency earthquakes.
Cyclone: A cyclone is a violent tropical storm often seen as a group of gusty winds that rotates about the centre of low atmospheric pressure, which moves, at a speed of twenty to thirty miles. Mitigation measures include following the evacuation plan, gathering emergency supplies in advance, avoiding driving and walking etc.
Volcano: A volcano is the rupture of a planetary-mass object that allows lava, ash, steam and hot gases to come out. Mitigation measures include avoiding potential active volcanic regions for building houses, preparing emergency evacuation plans, wearing goggles and sunglasses in case volcanoes are in proximity, staying indoors if ash has not settled etc.
Drought: A drought occurs when there is a lack or no rains for an extended period of time resulting in water shortage, crop damage, depletion of groundwater. It usually takes place slowly and continues over months. Droughts are triggered by deforestation, global warming, or by diverting rivers. Mitigation plans include accurate prediction, monitoring, impact assessment response in the form of better water management and conservation.
Flood: A flood occurs when a river or a large amount of rainfall overflows into dry land. Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in many countries including India. It is often caused by heavy rainfall, overflowing of man-made dams, tropical cyclone etc. Mitigation measures include prediction, monitoring, shut down of electricity, following evacuation plans etc.
Tsunami: Most Tsunamis are caused by a large-scale earthquake occurring on the sea floor causing the sea water to violent move to the land. This can be caused by an unwater landslide as well. Mitigation strategies for tsunami include community preparedness, timely warnings, and effective response.
Wild Fires: A wildfire can happen in forests, vegetation, hills, etc. Lightening, burning campfires, or cigarettes, hot winds, and even the sun can cause ignite a wildfire. Precautionary measures include protecting building areas from wildfires, periodic inspection of houses in forests etc.
Landslides: Landslide is the movement of a mass rock, debris, or earth down a mountain slope under the direct influence of gravity. There can be geological, morphol

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