How can Scientific Landfills Change The Waste Disposal Scenario In India?.
Indian cities are growing at a humongous pace, with growing population. The population rise has contributed to growth in urban waste, which has been accumulating fast. This scenario has necessitated increased work on solid waste management.
Importance of solid waste management
- Quality of life
The quality of life also depends on cleanliness of cities. If not properly managed, waste will be accumulated on streets and it will harm a city’s reputation.
- Tackle legacy waste
If old waste has to be removed, new waste should not get accumulated. By reducing new waste through waste management, legacy waste can also be tackled.
Issues associated with unscientific landfills
- Fires
Landfill areas are largest emitters of methane gas, which can easily ignite fires. The fires in turn emit smoke that causes pollution.
- Poisonous gas
Poisonous gases emitted from decomposing garbage are enough to cause health problems to people living in the vicinity of landfills.
- Pollution
Landfills are filled with all kinds of wastes, including e-waste and plastics. They pollute water, soil and air if not handled properly.
- Diseases
Landfills are breeding sites for pests such as mosquitoes, rats and other organisms that can cause diseases and harm public health.
Measures to reduce landfill
- Waste-to-energy
Waste to energy plants can convert some of the waste materials into electricity through burning. This will be beneficial to all stakeholders.
- Bioremediation
Bioremediation is a technique in which plants and organisms are used to remove poisonous toxins from a given area.
- Waste segregation
The best method would be segregating waste at collection point and ensure that waste does not pile up. Biodegradable waste can be used for making manures and plastic waste used for bio-energy.
Thus, landfills have to be scientifically reduced and solid waste management has to be modified to make our cities self-sustainable.
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