Classify solid waste in terms of source and types of solid wastes. Explain the steps to manage this waste.…

Question

Classify solid waste in terms of source and types of solid wastes. Explain the steps to manage this waste. Add a note on advantages and disadvantages of landfills.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

By source, solid waste is municipal, industrial, agricultural, biomedical or e-waste, and by type biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclable, hazardous or inert, managed through segregation, collection, processing such as composting, and disposal. Landfills are simple and cheap, but unlined ones leak leachate into groundwater, which costlier sanitary landfills prevent.

**Introduction**

India’s urbanisation, exemplified by ==Andhra Pradesh’s 123 Urban Local Bodies generating 6,890 tons/day of solid waste in 2022==, creates urgent environmental and health challenges requiring systematic solid waste management. Rising waste volumes strain existing infrastructure, making effective management essential to prevent pollution and public health risks.

**Classification of Solid Waste**

SKETCH: tree | Solid Waste Management Process  
- Waste Generation  
  - Segregation at Source  
  - Collection & Transportation  
  - Processing & Treatment  
  - Disposal

1. **Source and Type**: Waste is classified by origin (municipal, industrial, agricultural, biomedical, e-waste) and by type (biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclable, hazardous, inert). ==Andhra Pradesh’s agrarian economy yields mostly biodegradable waste, but urban areas like Visakhapatnam face increasing non-biodegradable and hazardous waste.== This classification guides appropriate handling and disposal methods.

3. **Management Steps**: Segregation at source into biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable waste is critical; Andhra Pradesh’s 2022 audit revealed only 75% actual segregation despite claims of 98%. Collection uses colour-coded bins, followed by processing (composting, recycling, biomethanation) and disposal. Efficient collection and transportation reduce littering and contamination.

**Advantages and Disadvantages of Landfills**

1. **Advantages**: Landfills are cost-effective, reduce odor and pests by daily soil covering, and can be repurposed post-closure as parks or parking lots, aiding urban land use.

2. **Disadvantages**: Traditional landfills cause leachate contamination and methane emissions. ==In Andhra Pradesh, only 4 out of 123 ULBs had sanitary landfills in 2022, highlighting infrastructure gaps.== Methane contributes to climate change, and leachate pollutes groundwater.

3. **Sanitary Landfills**: Engineered with impermeable liners to prevent leachate leakage, sanitary landfills are more sustainable but costly to build and maintain, requiring investment for wider adoption.

**Conclusion**

Classifying waste and following systematic management steps, alongside expanding sanitary landfill infrastructure, are vital for sustainable solid waste management in ==Andhra Pradesh==. Strengthening segregation, processing, and disposal practices will mitigate environmental and health risks while promoting resource efficiency.

Model answer

ఈ ప్రశ్నను ప్రాక్టీస్ చేయండి

కాలుష్యం & ఘన వ్యర్థాలు; ప్రపంచ సమస్యలు; పర్యావరణ చట్టం; విపత్తు నిర్వహణ విధానం; వ్యవసాయ విప్లవాలు43 questions

Ghissu