Concept of solid waste management
Solid
Waste Management is defined as the discipline associated with control of
generation, storage, collection, transport or transfer, processing and disposal
of solid waste materials in a way that best addresses the range of public
health, conservation, economics, aesthetic, engineering and other environmental
considerations.
Waste Management is defined as the discipline associated with control of
generation, storage, collection, transport or transfer, processing and disposal
of solid waste materials in a way that best addresses the range of public
health, conservation, economics, aesthetic, engineering and other environmental
considerations.
In
its scope, solid waste management includes planning, administrative, financial,
engineering and legal functions. Solutions might include complex inter-disciplinary
relations among fields such as public health, city and regional planning,
political science, geography, sociology, economics, communication and
conservation, demography, engineering and material sciences.
its scope, solid waste management includes planning, administrative, financial,
engineering and legal functions. Solutions might include complex inter-disciplinary
relations among fields such as public health, city and regional planning,
political science, geography, sociology, economics, communication and
conservation, demography, engineering and material sciences.
Solid
waste management practices can differ for residential and industrial producers,
for urban and rural areas, and for developed and developing nations. The
administration of non-hazardous waste in metropolitan areas is the job of local
government authorities. On the other hand, the management of hazardous waste
materials is typically the job of the generator, subject to local, national and
even international authorities.
waste management practices can differ for residential and industrial producers,
for urban and rural areas, and for developed and developing nations. The
administration of non-hazardous waste in metropolitan areas is the job of local
government authorities. On the other hand, the management of hazardous waste
materials is typically the job of the generator, subject to local, national and
even international authorities.
Processes of solid waste management
The
following are processes of solid waste management
following are processes of solid waste management
1.
Generation
Generation
2.
Storage
Storage
3.
Collection
Collection
4.
Transportation
Transportation
5.
Disposal
Disposal
Generation: Waste generation refers to activities
involved in identifying materials which are no longer usable and are either
gathered for systematic disposal or thrown away.
involved in identifying materials which are no longer usable and are either
gathered for systematic disposal or thrown away.
Storage: Onsite handling, storage, and
processing are the activities at the point of waste generation which facilitate
easier collection. For example, waste bins are placed at the sites which
generate sufficient waste. It is a system for keeping materials after they have
been discarded and prior to collection and final disposal. Where on-site
disposal systems are implemented, such as where people discard items directly
into family pits, storage may not be necessary. In emergency situations, especially
in the early stages, it is likely that the affected population will discard
domestic waste in poorly defined heaps close to dwelling areas. If this is the case,
improved disposal or storage facilities should be provided fairly quickly and
these should be located where people are able to use them easily. Improved
storage facilities include:
processing are the activities at the point of waste generation which facilitate
easier collection. For example, waste bins are placed at the sites which
generate sufficient waste. It is a system for keeping materials after they have
been discarded and prior to collection and final disposal. Where on-site
disposal systems are implemented, such as where people discard items directly
into family pits, storage may not be necessary. In emergency situations, especially
in the early stages, it is likely that the affected population will discard
domestic waste in poorly defined heaps close to dwelling areas. If this is the case,
improved disposal or storage facilities should be provided fairly quickly and
these should be located where people are able to use them easily. Improved
storage facilities include:
1.
Small
containers: household containers, plastic bins, etc.
Small
containers: household containers, plastic bins, etc.
2.
Large
containers: communal bins, oil drums, etc.
Large
containers: communal bins, oil drums, etc.
3.
Shallow
pits
Shallow
pits
4.
Communal
depots: walled or fenced-in areas
Communal
depots: walled or fenced-in areas
In
determining the size, quantity and distribution of storage facilities the
number of users, type of waste and maximum walking distance must be considered.
The frequency of emptying must also be determined, and it should be ensured
that all facilities are reasonably safe from theft or vandalism. Below are bins
used for waste storage.
determining the size, quantity and distribution of storage facilities the
number of users, type of waste and maximum walking distance must be considered.
The frequency of emptying must also be determined, and it should be ensured
that all facilities are reasonably safe from theft or vandalism. Below are bins
used for waste storage.
Collection: A crucial phase of waste management
includes activities such as placing waste collection bins, collecting waste
from those bins and accumulating trash in the location where the collection
vehicles are emptied. Although the collection phase involves transportation,
this is typically not the main stage of waste transportation.
includes activities such as placing waste collection bins, collecting waste
from those bins and accumulating trash in the location where the collection
vehicles are emptied. Although the collection phase involves transportation,
this is typically not the main stage of waste transportation.
Transportation: Waste transfer and transport are the
activities involved in moving waste from the local waste collection locations
to the regional waste disposal site in large waste transport vehicles. This is the stage when solid waste is
transported to the final disposal site. There are various modes of transport
which may be adopted and the chosen method depends upon local availability and
the volume of waste to be transported. Types of transportation can be divided
into three categories:
activities involved in moving waste from the local waste collection locations
to the regional waste disposal site in large waste transport vehicles. This is the stage when solid waste is
transported to the final disposal site. There are various modes of transport
which may be adopted and the chosen method depends upon local availability and
the volume of waste to be transported. Types of transportation can be divided
into three categories:
1.
Human-powered:
open hand-cart, hand-cart with bins, wheelbarrow, tricycle
Human-powered:
open hand-cart, hand-cart with bins, wheelbarrow, tricycle
2.
Animal-powered:
donkey-drawn cart
Animal-powered:
donkey-drawn cart
3.
Motorized:
tractor and trailer, standard truck, tipper-truck
Motorized:
tractor and trailer, standard truck, tipper-truck
Disposal: Disposal is the final stage of waste
management. It involves the activities aimed at the systematic disposal of
waste materials in locations such as landfills or waste – to – energy
facilities.
management. It involves the activities aimed at the systematic disposal of
waste materials in locations such as landfills or waste – to – energy
facilities.
Precautions in solid waste management
In
order to minimize disease transmission there are several protective measures
that can be undertaken. These concern equipment for staff and the siting and
management of disposal sites. It is important that workers employed to collect
and transport solid waste are provided with appropriate clothing and equipment.
Gloves, boots and overalls should be provided wherever possible. Where waste is
burned, or is very dusty, workers should have protective masks. Water and soap
should be available for hand and face washing, and changing facilities should be
provided where appropriate.
order to minimize disease transmission there are several protective measures
that can be undertaken. These concern equipment for staff and the siting and
management of disposal sites. It is important that workers employed to collect
and transport solid waste are provided with appropriate clothing and equipment.
Gloves, boots and overalls should be provided wherever possible. Where waste is
burned, or is very dusty, workers should have protective masks. Water and soap
should be available for hand and face washing, and changing facilities should be
provided where appropriate.
The
location of all disposal sites should be determined through consultation with
key stakeholders including local government officials, representatives of local
and displaced populations, and other agencies working in the area. Appropriate
siting should minimize the effects of odour, smoke, water pollution, insect vectors
and animals. On-site disposal is generally preferred since this requires no
transportation and staff needs are low. This is appropriate where volumes of
waste are relatively small, plenty of space is available and waste is largely
organic or recyclable. If the volumes of waste generated are large, or space
within the site is severely limited, it may be necessary to dispose of waste
off-site.
location of all disposal sites should be determined through consultation with
key stakeholders including local government officials, representatives of local
and displaced populations, and other agencies working in the area. Appropriate
siting should minimize the effects of odour, smoke, water pollution, insect vectors
and animals. On-site disposal is generally preferred since this requires no
transportation and staff needs are low. This is appropriate where volumes of
waste are relatively small, plenty of space is available and waste is largely
organic or recyclable. If the volumes of waste generated are large, or space
within the site is severely limited, it may be necessary to dispose of waste
off-site.
