10-12-2012, 12:07 PM
Solid Waste Management in Asian Perspectives
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Abstract
Increasing solid waste management problems and its disposal strikes environment and
health hazards. This training material covers the essential elements of solid waste
management in Asian context. Prevailing scenario of waste handling practices and
disposal is exhibited along with its associated problems. Valuable case studies are also
discussed. An integrated solid waste management in sustainable approach is presented as
a response to necessary waste management strategy needs. Waste minimization in the
form of proper waste segregation and utilization, the importance of pre-treatment of
organic waste and combustible waste fraction does not only manage the waste but also
generates products such as compost and renewable energy. Direct landfilling of
commingled waste in Asian countries should be discouraged due to its high organic waste
fraction which causes potential environmental emissions. The efforts of government to
solve this problem from legal aspects through laws and regulations should be supported
by an active participation of community, public and private agencies.
Introduction
Enormous amount of waste is generated daily and its management is a huge task. The
prevailing scenario for solid waste final disposal is usually a matter of transporting the
collected waste to the nearest available open space and dumping it. However, only a
fraction of waste were properly collected and transported. Sometimes it is burnt to reduce
its volume and to minimize attraction of animals and vermin and also to retrieve
recyclable items.
Solid waste management and disposal is an alarming problem encountered by many of the
urban and industrial areas in developing economies in Asia. Waste generation has
witnessed an increasing trend parallel to the development of industrialization,
urbanization, and rapid growth of population. The problem has become one of the primary
urban environmental issues.
Solid waste composition
Solid waste composition can be affected by economic status and consumer pattern.
Feedback on waste composition is important in evaluating the requirements or
specifications for equipment need, treatment systems, and management programs and
plans. Moreover, potential emissions (leachate and landfill gas) from disposed solid
waste can be linked with waste composition, specifically the amount of organic fraction
present in waste. The composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) differs for different
countries and regions. Moreover major portion of MSW generated in most developing
Asian countries was dominated by biodegradable organic fractions composed of food
wastes, yard wastes, and mixed paper. Food wastes dominate over the major portion of
the waste generated in most developing countries in Asia like China, India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand. In this regard, waste can be characterized as highly biodegrable with high
moisture content in which the disposal management should consider this factor.
Waste transformation
Waste transformation includes waste treatment and processes. It involves physical,
chemical, and biological conversation of waste. This can be typically applied to
municipal solid waste stream that improves the efficiency of solid waste management
operation system. This uses initiatives to recover and recycle materials into usable
product waste residue (compost, soil conditioner, landfill cover) and the production of
energy in the form of heat and combustible gas.
Waste transformation processes include aerobic composting and anaerobic digestion
which is suitable to treat organic waste fraction, while inorganic waste fraction such as
plastics materials can be process for RDF production for combustion to generate
electricity. Thermal destruction of waste could dramatically reduce waste volume. Waste
residue from treatment processes (aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion, or
incineration) could be safely disposed in sanitary landfills.
Community involvement
Community participation in waste management is a process in which the community
members are involved at different stages of solid waste management cycle. Community
involvement in planning and implementation on waste management projects maybe a
complex proposition. However, its benefits provide a clear idea of the possible solutions
including perspectives on affordability and desirability and finally the possibility of
generating both public consensus and commitment to waste management program.
CONCLUSION
Proper solid waste management in developing economies in Asia is an important aspect
to consider in minimizing further environmental contamination. Awareness on the
problems and impacts associated with solid waste generation, collection and transport,
and disposal must be promoted through campaign and education. The government should
take an initiative to improve or modify the solid waste management system and create a
good monitoring system. Also, the public and private participitation plays an important
aspect for the success of the government solid waste management program. A community
based solid waste management system could deliver positive impact towards proper
waste collection in certain municipality and should be encouraged.