SOLID WASTE
Definition
Solid waste refers to the discarded materials considered waste-like and no longer useful in their current form. These include garbage, refuse, sludge from wastewater treatment plants, emissions from air pollution control facilities, and other solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, agricultural operations, and community activities.
- However, domestic sewage, dissolved materials in irrigation return flows, and discharges from industries are not classified as solid waste.
Types of Solid Waste
Solid wastes are categorized based on their source:
- Municipal Waste
- Hazardous Waste
- Biomedical or Hospital Waste
- Municipal Waste
Municipal solid waste consists of:
- Household waste
- Construction and demolition debris
- Sanitation residues
- Waste from streets
Urbanization and lifestyle changes have increased the use of non-biodegradable packaging like cans, aluminium foil, and plastics, causing long-term environmental damage.
- Many landfills are poorly equipped and not properly lined, allowing contaminants to seep into the soil and groundwater.
- Hazardous Waste
Industrial and hospital wastes are considered hazardous because they contain toxic, corrosive, inflammable, or explosive substances.
- India produces about 7 million tonnes of hazardous waste annually, concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
- Household hazardous waste includes:
- Old batteries
- Shoe polish
- Paint tins
- Expired medicines
- Medicine bottles
- Major contributors from the industrial sector:
- Metal, chemical, paper industries
- Pesticide and dye manufacturers
- Petroleum refineries
- Rubber goods manufacturers
- Exposure to chemicals like mercury and cyanide can be fatal.
- Hospital Waste (Biomedical Waste)
Hospital waste is generated during medical diagnosis, treatment, immunization, research, and biological production or testing.
Examples of Hospital Waste:
- Soiled bandages, swabs, and disposables like syringes
- Anatomical waste
- Cultures and discarded medicines
- Chemical wastes
- Human excreta and body fluids
Hazards:
- Highly infectious and poses a serious health threat if mismanaged.
- Contains chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols, and mercury.
- Surveys indicate many healthcare facilities neglect proper waste management.
Since the implementation of the Bio-medical Waste (Handling and Management) Rules, 1998, hospitals are gradually improving waste segregation, collection, treatment, and disposal.