Solid waste refers to unwanted solid or semi-solid materials generated from human activities (homes, markets, industries, hospitals).
Solid Waste Management (SWM) is the systematic handling of waste from generation to final disposal to protect health and environment.
Goals of SWM:
Common categories:
Each type needs different treatment and safety.
Segregation means separating waste at the point of generation.
Typical segregation:
Exam note: Segregation at source is the most important step in SWM.
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Solid waste refers to unwanted solid or semi-solid materials generated from human activities (homes, markets, industries, hospitals).
Solid Waste Management (SWM) is the systematic handling of waste from generation to final disposal to protect health and environment.
Goals of SWM:
Common categories:
Each type needs different treatment and safety.
Segregation means separating waste at the point of generation.
Typical segregation:
Exam note: Segregation at source is the most important step in SWM.
Key points:
Organic waste is decomposed to form manure/compost. Benefits: reduces landfill load, improves soil.
Organic waste is converted into biogas (methane) and slurry. Benefits: renewable energy + manure.
Reprocessing waste materials (paper, plastic, glass, metals) to create new products. Benefits: saves energy and raw materials.
Engineered disposal site with liners and controlled leachate. Used for non-recyclable residual waste.
High-temperature burning of waste to reduce volume. Used for some biomedical/hazardous waste. Needs pollution control to avoid toxic emissions.
Reduce: avoid waste generation (buy only needed, avoid single-use items)
Reuse: use items multiple times (bottles, bags, containers)
Recycle: convert waste into new products (paper, plastics, metals)
Waste minimisation reduces pollution and saves resources.
ISWM combines multiple steps:
This approach is efficient and sustainable.
Individuals:
Communities:
Local bodies:
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From this topic
Municipal waste, industrial waste, biomedical waste, e-waste and hazardous waste are types (any three).
Segregation improves recycling, enables composting of wet waste, reduces landfill load and prevents mixing of hazardous waste (any three).
Solid Waste Management (SWM) is the systematic handling of solid waste from generation to final disposal to protect public health and environment.
Main steps in SWM:
If these steps are followed properly, pollution reduces and resources are conserved.