IIT-B comes up with solid waste management solution

Mumbai: A study by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has come up with a solution to manage the tonnes of municipal solid waste generated in Mumbai every day.

It is suggested that the current method of “dumping” in the open be rid of and replacing with recycling, composting, incineration and anaerobic digestion. The researchers compared six different combinations of integrated waste management scenarios with the current method of open dumping in landfills. The result of the study states that there is no single MSW management scenario that performs the best.

“Not many studies are carried out in India regarding waste management. This study analyses the life cycle environmental impacts under an integrated waste management approach,” said professor Munish Chandel from the Centre for Environment Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, who is also the co-author of the study. According to him, the study is topical and important as statistics say that over 9,000 tonnes of MSW is generated in Mumbai every day.

The alternative scientific options that proves to be better than open dumping include recycling of waste generated from paperclothes and leather. Along with these methods, the study also suggests the use of incineration, where organic waste is burned and inorganic residue turns into ash. According to the researchers, the heat generated during the burning process can be used in thermal power plants, resulting in benefits for the environment.

“Indian policymakers should be able to decide which technology is better considering the life cycle environmental impact of different waste management options,” professor Chandel said.