26-February -2025-Special-Article

WASTE SEGREGATION AND WASTE-TO-ENERGY

The Supreme Court (SC) has highlighted the importance of waste segregation at the source and questioned the implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM Rules, 2016) in the National Capital Region (NCR). Additionally, the SC has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to assess the environmental and public health impact of waste-to-energy plants.

Waste Segregation at Source

1. What is Solid Waste?

• Solid waste includes garbage, trash, and discarded materials from households, industries, and businesses.
• Proper waste management is necessary to prevent pollution and health hazards.

2. What is Waste Segregation at Source?

• It is the process of sorting waste at the point of generation to enable proper disposal, recycling, and treatment.
• Waste is classified based on its physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Waste Categories under SWM Rules, 2016

The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 divide waste into three categories:

1. Biodegradable Waste – Organic waste that decomposes naturally (e.g., food scraps, paper, soiled wrappers).
2. Non-Biodegradable Waste – Recyclable and non-recyclable materials (e.g., plastic, glass, metals).
3. Domestic Hazardous Waste – Items that pose health risks (e.g., diapers, sanitary napkins, cleaning agents, mosquito repellents).

Importance of Waste Segregation

• Reduces Pollution – Prevents contamination of recyclable materials by keeping hazardous waste separate.
• Decreases Landfill Waste – Ensures only non-recyclable waste is sent to landfills, reducing space usage.
• Enhances Recycling – Enables better waste recovery, composting, and reuse of materials.
• Improves Public Health – Minimizes risks from hazardous waste, preventing disease outbreaks.
• Encourages Responsibility – Promotes community involvement in sustainable waste management.

Solid Waste Generation in India

• According to CPCB’s 2021-22 report, India generates around 1,70,338 tonnes of solid waste daily, but only 91,512 tonnes undergo treatment.
• Delhi alone produces over 11,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, while its treatment plants have a capacity of 8,073 metric tonnes.
• In 2014-15, India processed only 18% of its total waste, which increased to 78% in 2024 due to better waste management practices.

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plants

What are Waste-to-Energy Plants?

• Waste-to-energy (WtE) plants convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into electricity, heat, or fuel using different technologies.
• They help in producing biogas, bio-CNG, and syngas from urban, industrial, and agricultural waste.

SWM Rules, 2016 and Waste-to-Energy

• Non-recyclable waste with a calorific value of 1500 Kcal/kg or more must be used for energy generation instead of being sent to landfills.
• High-calorific waste should be co-processed in cement or thermal power plants.
• Industries within 100 km of an RDF plant must replace at least 5% of their fuel with refuse-derived fuel (RDF), which is made from municipal and industrial waste by removing non-combustible materials.

Methods of Waste-to-Energy Conversion

1. Incineration – Waste is burned at high temperatures to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.
2. Gasification – Organic material is heated without combustion to produce syngas, which can be used as fuel.
3. Anaerobic Digestion – Microorganisms break down organic waste in an oxygen-free environment, producing biogas.
4. Fermentation and Distillation – Organic waste is fermented and distilled to produce ethanol, a renewable fuel.
5. Pyrolysis – Waste is thermally decomposed into bio-oil, syngas, and char in the absence of oxygen.
6. Landfill Gas Recovery – Methane and other gases released from landfills are captured and processed for energy production.

Benefits of Waste-to-Energy Plants

• Reduces Waste – Converts garbage into usable energy, lowering landfill dependency.
• Decreases Pollution – Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by diverting waste from landfills.
• Enhances Resource Recovery – Valuable metals and materials can be recovered after incineration.
• Conserves Fossil Fuels – Reduces the need for coal and oil by generating alternative energy.

Draft Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2024

The Draft SWM Rules, 2024 have been introduced by the Central Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These rules aim to improve waste management and promote sustainable practices.

Key Provisions

Fines for Non-Compliance – Sanitation workers (Safai Karamcharis) will have the authority to impose fines on individuals and organizations that fail to segregate waste.

Segregation of Waste at Source – Waste generators must separate waste into four categories:

1. Wet Waste – Organic and biodegradable materials.
2. Dry Waste – Recyclable materials such as plastics, paper, and metals.
3. Sanitary Waste – Items like diapers, sanitary napkins, and medical waste.
4. Special Care Waste – Hazardous waste that requires careful handling.

Management of Agricultural Waste –

• Gram Panchayats must prevent open burning of crop residue and impose fines for stubble burning.
• They must also facilitate collection and storage of agricultural waste for alternative uses.

Challenges in Waste Management

• Poor Implementation – Despite clear guidelines under SWM Rules, many cities fail to enforce waste segregation.
• Limited Public Awareness – Many households and businesses do not practice proper waste segregation.
• Infrastructure Gaps – Many urban areas lack adequate waste treatment plants, leading to landfill overflow.
• Environmental Concerns – WtE plants may release pollutants if not operated efficiently, affecting air quality.
• Informal Sector Exclusion – Many waste pickers and recyclers are not integrated into the formal waste management system.

Conclusion

Proper waste management through source segregation and waste-to-energy technologies is essential for sustainable urban development. While the SWM Rules, 2016 provide a strong foundation, enforcement challenges, lack of public awareness, and environmental concerns related to WtE plants need urgent attention. The Draft SWM Rules, 2024 aim to improve waste segregation and promote responsible waste disposal. A decentralized approach involving local governments, industries, and communities can enhance the effectiveness of waste management in India.

Mains question:

1. Discuss the significance of waste segregation at source in effective solid waste management. How can waste-to-energy plants contribute to sustainable urban development in India? (150 WORDS)