Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

SOLID WASTE
Solid waste is all the waste arising from human and animal activities that are normally solid
and that are discarded as useless or unwanted. It encompasses the heterogeneous mass of
throwaways from residences and commercial activities as well as more homogeneous
accumulations of a single industrial activity.

Classification of Solid Waste

The solid waste can be classified into 3 groups

1. Municipal Solid Waste

2. Industrial Solid Waste
3. Hazardous Solid Waste

1. Municipal Solid Waste

Municipal solid waste is the waste or garbage which is solid in state and is collected from
the residents of the city. It is mainly composed mostly of paper, plastic, food scraps and
other household wastes. The typical composition of municipal solid waste is shown in
below table.

Component Description

Food waste The animal, fruit or vegetable residue (also called garbage)
resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and eating
of food. Because food waste are putrescible, they will
decompose rapidly, especially in warm weather
Rubbish wastes Combustible and non-combustible solid waste, excluding
food waste or other putrescible materials. Typically,
combustible rubbish consists of materials such as paper,
cardboard, plastic, textiles, rubber, leather, wood, furniture
and garden trimmings.
Non-combustible rubbish consists of items such as glass,
crockery, tin cans, aluminum case, ferrous and non-ferrous
metals, dirt and construction waste.
Ashes and residues Materials remaining from burning of food, coal, coke and
other combustible wastes. Residues from power plants
normally are not included in this category. Ashes and
residues are normally composed of fine, powdery materials,
cinders cum clinkers and small amounts of burned and
partially burned materials.
Demolition and construction Waste from Residential buildings and other structures are
wastes classified as demolition waste. Waste from the construction,
remodeling and repairing of residential, commercial and
industrial building and similar structures are classified as
construction waste. These wastes may include dirt, stones,
concrete, bricks, plaster and plumbing, heating and electrical
parts.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 1

VVIET
 Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Special waste Waste such as street sweepings, roadside litter, catch-basin

debris, dead animals and abundant vehicles are classified as
special waste.
Treatment-plant waste The solid and semi-solid waste from water, waste water and
industrial waste treatment facilities are included in this
classification.

2. Industrial Solid Waste

Industrial wastes are those wastes arising from Industrial activities and typically include
rubbish, ashes, demolition waste, special waste and hazardous waste.

3. Hazardous Solid Waste

Waste that poses a substantial danger immediately or over a period of time to human, plants
are classified as hazardous waste.
A waste is classified as hazardous if it exhibits any of the following characteristics.
a) Ignitability
b) Corrosivity
c) Reactivity
d) Toxicity
In the past, hazardous wastes were often grouped into the following categories.
a) Radioactive substance
b) Chemicals
c) Biological waste
d) Explosives
The chemical categories include wastes that are corrosive, reactive or toxic. The principle
sources of hazardous biological waste are hospitals and biological research facilities.

Sources of Municipal Solid Waste

Knowledge of the sources & types of solid waste, along with data on the composition and
rates of generation, is basic to the Engineering management of solid waste.

Typical facilities, activities or

Source Types of Solid Waste
locations where waste are generated

Single family and multifamily dwellings,

Food waste, rubbish, ashes,
Residential low, medium and high- rise apartments
special waste
etc.
Stores, restaurants, markets, office Food waste, rubbish, ashes,
buildings, hotels, print shops, auto repair demolitions, construction
Commercial
shops, medical facilities and institutions waste, special waste
etc. occasionally hazardous waste.
Streets, alleys, parks, playgrounds,
Open areas vacant slots, beaches, highways, Special waste, rubbish
recreational areas etc.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 2

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Treatment plant wastes,

Treatment plant Water, wastewater, and industrial
principally composed of
site treatment processes etc.
residual sludge’s

Characteristics of Solid Waste

Information on properties of solid waste is important in evaluating alternative equipment’s
needs, system and management programs and plans especially with respect to the
implementation of disposal and resources and energy recovery operations.
1) Physical composition or properties
a) Individual components
b) Particle size
c) Moisture content
d) Density
2) Chemical Composition or properties
a) Proximate Analysis
i. Moisture (loss at 105oC per 1 hour)
ii. Volatile matter (additional loss on ignition at 950oC)
iii. Ash (residue after burning)
iv. Fixed carbon (reminder)
b) Fusing point of ash
c) Ultimate Analysis - % C, H, O, N, S and Ash
d) Heating value (Energy value)

1. Physical composition or properties

a. Individual components of MSW: The individual components of solid wastes
includes food waste, paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles, rubber, leather, garden
trimmings, wood, miscellaneous organics, glass, tin cans, non-ferrous metals, ferrous
metals, dirt, ash, brick etc. The quantity of these components by mass is essential for
estimation of moisture content, density. The details of these components are essential
in deciding the treatment methodologies to be adopted.
b. Particle size: The size of the component materials in solid waste is of importance in
the recovery of materials, especially with mechanical means such as magnetic
separations, trammel screens etc., because there are significant differences among
various measures on size, individual measurements should be made on the waste in
question, using a measure of size that will provide the information needed for specific
application.
c. Moisture content: The moisture content of solid waste is the weight of water in it
expressed as a percentage of its wet or dry weight.
Moisture content (%) = 𝖶−𝐷 * 100
𝖶

‘W’ = initial mass of sample as delivered

‘D’ = mass of sample after drying

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 3

VVIET
 Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

d. Density: The density of solid waste varies markedly with geographic location, season
of the year, length of time in storage. Great care should be used in selecting the
typical values.

2. Chemical composition or properties

a. Proximate analysis: Proximate analysis for the combustible components for MSW
includes the following tests.
i. Moisture (loss of moisture when heated to 1050 c for 1 hr)
ii. Volatile combustible matter (additional loss of weight on ignition at 9500 c in a
covered crucible)
iii. Fixed carbon (combustible residue left after volatile matter is removed)
iv. Ash (weight of residue after combustion in an open crucible)
b. Fusing point of ash
It is the temperature at which the ash resulting from burning of waste will form a solid
(clinker) by fusion and agglomeration. Typical fusing temperature for the formation of
clinker from solid waste range from 11000 to 12000 c

c. Energy Content
Equations for the calculation of energy content
Energy values may be converted to a dry basis by the following equation.
KJ/Kg (dry basis) = KJ/kg (as discarded) = 100
100 − %moisture

The corresponding equation on an Ash free dry basis is

KJ/ Kg (ash free dry basis) = KJ/Kg (as discarded) = 100
100 − %ash − moisture

d. Chemical content
If energy values are not available, approximate value may be determined by using an
equation known as modified DULONG FORMULA as given below.

KJ/kg = 337 C + 1428 (H – 𝑂) + 95 S

8

Where,
C = % carbon
H = % Hydrogen
O = % oxygen
S = % sulphur

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 4

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The cardinal principle in wastes management is 3R’s e.g. Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling.
An integrated solid wastes management system is based on this principle. It requires a
comprehensive approach for each stage of solid wastes management e.g. Generation,
Collection, Processing and final disposal. Important components of such a system include the
following:
1. Wastes minimization at sources.
2. Material recovery and recycling.
3. Waste transformation
4. Volume reduction before disposal
5. Wastes disposals
6. Database management
Wastes Minimization: Waste should be ideally minimalized at the source of it generation.
Reduction can be affected in many ways but the following techniques are commonly
employed.
i. Minimizing the amount of material used in manufacturing product.
ii. Increasing useful life of the product.
iii. Reducing the amount of material used for packing and marketing of consumer goods.
Material balance studies and environmental audits of industries can effectively help in
devising strategies for reducing waste generation. Waste reduction can also be achieved in
house hold and commercial units through increase public awareness of improved buying
pattern and through reuse of products for example, the same carry bag can be use repetitively
instead of taking new bag for shopping every time.
Material Recovery and Recycling: Municipal solid wastes consist of various materials e.g.
paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, and rubber. Many of these components are suitable
for recycling and reuse. The process involves separation and collection of these materials,
preparation of materials for reuse and remanufacture. Significant amount of money can be
earned through selling out of these recovered materials. It efficiently reduces the quality of
waste and thus reduces the load on the disposal facilities which in turn reduces the cost of
handling and disposal. For instance, fusing of glass particles to clay for making ceramic tile
blocks and use of plastic bottles, video plates etc. For making polyester fiber for
manufacturing of carpets and clothes are some of the viable options. Similarly producing
aluminum or steel from recycled metals requires 95 percent less energy than that is required
for production of these metals from ores.
Wastes Transformation: Waste transformation is the physical, chemical or biological
conversion of waste for any beneficial purpose e.g. energy recovery. A number of processes
such as composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, and
palletization are employed for this purpose. Several byproducts of these processes in the form
of manure, energy can be recovered. Selection of a suitable technique depends upon the
objective of waste transformation as well as on the composition of wastes.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 5

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Volume reduction: Volume reduction of waste is carried out before its final disposal.it
includes size reduction through shredding, size separation through screening and volume
reduction through compaction. Volume reduction of waste also reduces the land area
requirement for its landfill disposal.
Wastes disposal: wastes that cannot be recycled or transformed need to be disposed off. Residues
from various wastes transformation processes also need final disposal. Long term options of wastes
disposals are: disposal on land, disposal deep below the earth surface, and disposal at the ocean
bottom.
Disposal on land is one of the oldest and most common methods. Disposal on scientifically designed
engineered landfill sites is necessary to prevent groundwater contamination and for the protection of
environment.
Database management: Availability of precise and reliable data is of utmost importance in the
planning and design of any environmental system. The data should not only be available in records but
should be instantaneously accessible to the planners and engineers. The importance of easy
accessibility cannot be over emphasized. Many of the data are constantly changing and needs to be
regularly updated.
Database management should be integral part of the solid wastes management system. precise,
relevant and reliable data are necessary for selection of various treatment and disposal techniques.it
also helps in developing indigenous technologies suitable for a particular type of waste composition.
The database should include composition of wastes, physical, chemical and biological properties of
wastes and information and disposal of wastes.
With the use of remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and IT paraphernalia now
commercially available, it is now possible to collect all this data and make it accessible to the users
instantaneously.

COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE

Introduction

Collection of separated and un-separated solid waste in a urban area is difficult and complex
because of the generation of residential, commercial, industrial solid waste takes place in
every home, apartments, commercial or industrial facilities, streets, parks and even vacant
areas. The mushroom like developments of suburbs and satellite towns all over the country
has further complicated the collection.

Types of collection services

The various types of collection services are

1) Municipal collection services

a. From low rise detached dwellings
b. From low and medium rise apartments
c. From high rise apartments
2) Commercial – industrial facilities

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 6

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

1. Municipal collection services or Residential collection services

It varies depending upon the type of dwelling unit. Collection for low rise detached dwellings
and collection for medium and high-rise apartments are considered separately.

The most common types of residential services used in various parts of the country include

i) Curb
ii) Alley
iii) Setout- Setback
iv) Backyard carrying

In curb service House owner is responsible for placing the solid waste container at the curb
on the scheduled day. The workman come, collect and empty the container and put back at
the curb, House owner is required to take back the empty container from the curb to his
house.

In alley service the containers are placed at the alley line from where they are picked up by
workmen from refuse vehicle who deposit back the empty container

In setout-setback service, Collectors (Set out crew) will enter property and carry the loaded
waste containers from resident storage location to curb/alley before collection vehicle arrives.
Collection crew loads the refuse into vehicle and Set-back crew return the containers to
storage area

In backyard service, collection crews that go along with the collection vehicle are
responsible for bringing out stored solid waste from the dwelling units.
2. Commercial and Industrial Service
Both manual and mechanical means are used to collect waste from commercial facilities. To
avoid traffic congestion during the day, solid waste from commercial establishments in cities
are collected in the late evening and early morning hours.

Where manual collection is used, wastes are put into plastic bags, cardboard boxes and other
disposable containers that are placed at the curbs for collection. If congestion is not a major
problem and space for storing containers is available, the collection service provided to these
centers on the use of movable containers, containers that can be adopted to large stationary
compactors and large capacity open top containers. The contents of the container may be
emptied mechanically or the loaded containers hauled to an offside location where the
contents are unloaded.

Types of collection systems

Based on their mode of operation collection systems are classified into two categories

1) Hauled container systems

2) Stationary container systems

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 7

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

1. Hauled container system

Collection systems in which the containers used for the storage of waste, are hauled to the
processing, transfer, disposal site, emptied and returned to either original location or some
other locations are defined as hauled container system (HCS). This type of system is used
where generation rate is very high. Figure 1 shows the HCS process flow sheet.

There are two types of HCS

i) Tilt frame containers

ii) Trash trailers
The collector is responsible for driving the vehicle, loading full containers and unloading
empty containers and emptying the content of the containers at disposal site. In some cases,
for safety reasons both helper and driver are used.

System that used tilt- frame -loaded vehicles and large containers, often called drop boxes are
ideally suited for the collection of all types of solid waste and rubbish from locations where
the generation rate warrants the use of large containers.

Open top containers are used routinely at warehouses and construction sites. Large containers
used in conjunction with stationary compactors are common at commercial and industrial
services at transfer stations.

Because of the large volume that can be hauled, the use of tilt frame hauled container
system has become widespread, especially among private collectors servicing industrial
accounts. Trash trailers are better for collection of especially heavy rubbish such as sand,
timber, metal scraps and often used for demolition waste at construction sites.

Figure 1: Hauled container system

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 8

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

2. Stationary Container System (SCS)

Collection system in which containers used for the storage of waste remain at the point of
waste generation, except when moved for collection are defined as stationary container
system. Figure 2 shows the SCS process flow sheet.

Figure 2: Stationary Container System

Labor requirements for mechanically loaded SCS are essentially same as HCS. There are two
types of SCS.

i. Those in which self-loading compactors are used.

ii. Those in which manually loaded vehicles are used.
Containers size and utilization are not as critical as in SCS using self-loading collection
vehicles equipped with a compaction mechanism as they are in HCS.

Trips to the disposal site, transfer or processing station are made after the contents of the
number of containers collected, compacted and collection vehicle is full. Because a variety of
container sizes and types are available, these systems may be used for all types of wastes.

The major application of manual transfer and loading methods is in the collection of
residential wastes and litter. Manual methods are used for the collection of industrial wastes
where pickup points are inaccessible to collection vehicle.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 9

VVIET
 Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Definition of terms for the activities involved in the collection of solid waste

TERM HCS SCS

The time spent picking up the loaded The time spent loading the
container, The time required to collection vehicle, beginning with
redeposit the container after its contents the stopping of the vehicle prior
PICK-UP have been emptied and the time spent to loading the contents of 1st
driving to the next container. container and ending when the
contents of the last container to
be emptied have been loaded.
The time required to reach the disposal The time required to reach the
site, starting after a container whose disposal site starting after the last
contents are to be emptied has been container on the route has been
loaded on the truck, plus the time after emptied or the collection vehicle
leaving the disposal site until the truck is filled, plus the time after
HAUL arrives at the location where the empty leaving the disposal site until the
container is to be re-deposited (time truck arrives at the location of the
spent at disposal site is not included). first container to be emptied on
the next collection route. (Time
spent at the disposal site is not
included).
The time spent at the disposal site including time spent waiting to load as
AT-SITE
well as unloading
All time spent on activities that are non-productive from the point of view
of the overall collection operation. Necessary off route time includes;
i. Time spent checking in and out in the morning at the end of the
OFF ROUTE
day.
ii. Time lost due to unavoidable congestion.
iii. Time spent on equipment repairs and maintenance.

Garbage Chutes

Wastes usually bagged are placed by tenants in specially designed vertical routes with
opening located on each floor. Waste discharge in chutes is collected in large containers,
compacted into large containers or baled directly.

Chutes for use in apartment buildings are available in diameter 12 -36 inch (30 -90cm). The
most common chute diameter is 34 inches. The entire available can be furnished with suitable
intake chute either at the bottom or at the site or used for installation on various floor levels.
Draft baffles at intake doors, door locks, sprinklers, disinfection systems, sound insulations
and roof vents are among the many accessories available. Use of disinfecting and sanitizing
unit is recommended because the cleanliness of chute and absence of odors generally depend
to a large extent on their use. In designing chutes for high rise buildings, one must consider
variations in the rate at which solid waste is discharged.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 10

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Bailing and Compacting

Compacting solid waste into the form of rectangular blocks or bales is called baling. MSW
bales are typically about 1.5m3 in size and weigh roughly 1 KN. Solid waste can be
compacted under high pressure (about 700kpa) in either vertical or horizontal presses; the
bales are frequently wrapped with steel wire to help retain their rectangular shape during
handling. They also may be enclosed in hot asphalt, plastic or Portland cement or tied with
metal bands, depending on the intended use or disposal method. If moisture content and
compaction pressure are high enough, they may retain their shape without being wrapped.
Semi-automatic horizontal presses can bale upto 36KN per hour of MSW. Volume reduction
can be as much as 90% of the original waste volume. A typical vertical down stroke bailer
and horizontal compactor is as shown in figure 3 and 4.

Figure 3: Vertical Down stroke Bailer Figure 4: Horizontal Compactor

Reuse and recycling of solid waste material

Reduction: Reduction in generation, reduction in amount of material, increase lifetime, or

eliminate the need.
Recycle - used, reused, or reclaimed, use of the material as a source raw material, involves
physical transformation.
Reused: The direct use or reuse of a secondary material without prior reclamation Reclaimed:
regeneration of wastes or recovery of usable materials from wastes (e.g., regenerating spent
solvents in a solvent still). Wastes are regenerated when they are processed to remove
contaminants in a way that restores them to their usable condition materials that must be
reclaimed/recycled prior to use or reuse.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 11

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Recovery - Process to recover useful material from mixed waste (energy is an example)
Materials are solid wastes (and potentially hazardous waste) if they are recycled in the
following ways:

– Used in a manner constituting disposal - Directly placing wastes or products containing

wastes on the land is considered to be use constituting disposal.

– If, however, direct placement on the land is consistent with its normal use (e.g., pesticides),
then the material is not regulated as a solid waste.
– For example, heptachlor can potentially be a P-listed waste. This pesticide is not regulated
as a solid waste, however, when it is used as a pesticide.

Burned for energy recovery Reclaimed (with some exceptions) - materials that must be
reclaimed/ recycled prior to use or reuse Accumulated speculatively Materials that are not
solid waste (and therefore not hazardous wastes) when recycled: (i) Used or reused as
ingredients in an industrial process to make a product, provided the materials are not being
reclaimed; or (ii) Used or reused as effective substitutes for commercial products; or Returned
to the original process from which they are generated, without first being reclaimed or land
disposed.

PRODUCT RECOVERY AND RECYCLING

Recycling is perhaps the most widely recognized form of source reduction involving the
process of separating, collecting, processing, marketing, and ultimately using a material that
would have otherwise been discarded. This form of source reduction, i.e., recycling, is similar
to other forms, in that it:
• Lessens reliance on landfills and incinerators
• Protects human health and the environment by removing harmful substances from the
waste stream
• Conserves natural resources by reducing the demand for raw materials.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RECYCLING
Recycling is one of the fundamental parts of the waste management plan. Recycling has a lot
of direct and indirect significance for the society, and this can be grouped under the following
three broad areas
1. Economic significance: Economic assessment of waste recycling is a difficult task as
many of the beneficial environmental and social impacts of recycling are long- term and
intangible.
A. Cost reduction: Resource recovery through recycling of solid waste could be of interest to
waste management authorities as a means of reducing the waste disposal cost.
B. Employment: Recycling waste is a labor-intensive activity, and its potential to ease the
unemployment problem is high. Enhanced recycling activities, for example, can create an
additional job market for the skilled and unskilled workforce, and they can adapt to any of the
occupations such as a laborer in a recycling business or industry or a dealership.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 12

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

C. Energy saving: The use of recyclables in some industrial processes is known to consume
less energy than the use of any other raw material. The reduction in energy consumption in
one industry could mean its availability for some other industry in need.
D. Reduced health care costs: Improved health and sanitary conditions in urban areas
resulting from indirect benefits of waste recycling can reduce the investment in public health
programme.
E. Saving costs for other public utilities: Enhanced solid waste recycling practices can
reduce the frequency of sewer clogging, blocking of natural watercourses, and pollution of
water bodies. This will benefit the concerned public utilities through reduced cost of cleaning
sewers and improved public safety due to blocked sewers and narrowing of natural
watercourses.
2. Environmental and health significance: The volume of waste is increasing rapidly
because of population growth and economic development. The composition of waste is also
changing, leading to waste production with more recyclables. At the same time, polluted
waste fractions are increasing because of increasingly complex processes being used in
industries, and these contribute Increasingly to environmental degradation. This
notwithstanding, recycling helps, among others, in the following ways, to facilitate effective
waste management:
A. Improved environment: The environmental pollution may be due to inadequate SWM as
well as due to its effect on other urban infrastructure. Recycling reduces the volume of waste
that has to be finally dumped thereby causing a reduction in pollution at the waste disposal
sites. When there is a reduction in the volume of waste because of its increased reuse,
different types of pollution (e.g., water, air, and land) will be abated.
B. Natural resource conservation: Industries with natural products as their raw material for
production are depleting natural resources. The use of more and more recyclable solid wastes
in industrial production will relieve the tremendous pressure on these precious resources. For
example, recycling waste paper means a lower demand for wood, which means less cutting of
trees and an enhanced possibility for sustainable use of the forest. Using recyclable items in
the production process would reduce the energy demand as well.
3. Social significance: People engaged in waste collection activities are normally of low
social and economic standing. This is especially true with scavengers, which is evident from
the persisting poor quality of their living and working conditions.
Different groups of people engaged in waste recycling have a hierarchical social and
economic status, in which, processors are at the top of the hierarchy followed by waste dealers
and wholesalers, waste buyers and waste collectors in that very order, while scavengers are at
the bottom. Although there is this social and economic hierarchy within the waste recycling
business, the overall social esteem of waste recycling operators is low.
A formal recycling arrangement will help promote the social esteem of waste workers and
facilitate their upward social mobility due to increased earnings. In addition, the improved
recycling activity will increase the economic value of the waste and will reduce waste
scavenging activity providing an opportunity for scavengers to switch to a more socially
acceptable occupation. In short, institutionalized recycling programs will help remove the
stigma associated with waste saving and transform it into an economic enterprise.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 13

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

EFFECTIVE RECYCLING PROGRAMS/PLANNING FOR RECYCLING

PROGRAMME.
1. SOURCE SEPARATION: encourage people to separate their recyclable materials from
their waste at the sources, usually at home, workplace, and school. The first step in planning
for recycling is to assess the types and quantities of materials that are generated and
discarded.
2. COLLECTION: the collection of recyclable material from residences, workplaces, and
other public plans frequently. Based on the assessment, goals for recycling can be set which is
specific, measurable, and achievable.
3. SORTING: once collected, recyclable materials are sorted into different categories such as
paper, plastic, glass, and metals. This can be done either manually or through automated
systems.
4. PROCESSING: after sorting, the recyclable materials are processed to remove any
contaminants and prepare them for reuse. This can involve shredding, melting, or other forms
of processing depending on the material.
5. MARKETING: once processed, the recycled material is marketed to manufacturers who
are then to make new products.
6. POLICY AND REGULATIONS: implementing policies and regulations that support
recycling such as laws mandating recycling, and providing incentives for recycling. Education
policy involves educating people about the benefits of recycling and promoting participation
in the recycling program.
7. MONITORING AND EVALUATION: regular monitoring and evaluation of a recycling
program are essential to assess its effectiveness and make necessary Improvements. Effective
planning of recycling requires collaboration among stakeholders, including government
agencies, businesses, and the public.

RECYCLINGPROGRAMME ELEMENTS
1. Source Separation-Source separation refers to the segregation of the recyclable and
reusable materials at the point of generation. This requires that several designated materials be
separated into their specific containers, while other programs use only two containers – one
for the storage of mixed recyclables and the other for regular wastes.
2. Drop-off/buy-back- A drop-off program requires residents to separate the recyclable
materials and bring them to a specified drop-off or collection center. However, we must take
into account local conditions when designing a collection program. For a community that
does not provide a curbside pickup.
3. Curbside program- In a curbside system, source-separated recyclables are collected
separately from regular refuse from the curbside, alley, or commercial facility. Curbside
programs vary greatly from community to community. Some programs require residents to
separate different materials that are stored in their containers and collected separately.
4. Storage and collection of recyclables- The collection of source-separated materials is a
necessary component of the recycling program. Establishing a collection system for Source-
separated materials will require more careful planning than regular trash collection.
5. Collection vehicles for recycling- Collection vehicles that are designed specifically for
collecting recyclables have several storage bins, which can be easily loaded and often

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 14

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

equipped with automatic container-tipping devices. Although these modified vehicles may
still be considered options, a dedicated, closed-body collection vehicle for recycling with
sufficient capacity offers such significant advantages as easy loading and unloading, flexible
compartments, and protection from weather.
6. Processing equipment for recycling- Recycling involves several processing techniques
and these processes require different equipment, like a glass crusher, magnetic separator, air
classifier, and hydro pulpur.
7. Material recovery facilities (MRF) -The primary advantage of MRF is that it allows
materials directly from the municipalities and processes them uniformly. It is generally
designed to handle all types of recyclables.
8. Full stream processing- This is a high-technology separation technique, which processes
all components of municipal waste. The materials recovered by this process tend to be of
lower quality than those recovered or source -separated in MRF because the former is a mix
of various types of waste.

Landfill
Introduction
The sanitary landfill is a technique for the final disposal of solid waste in the ground that
causes no nuisance or danger to public health or safety; neither does it harm the environment
during its operation or after its closure. This technique uses engineering principles to confine
the waste to as small an area as possible, covering it daily with layers of earth and compacting
it to reduce its volume. In addition, it anticipates the problems that could be caused by the
liquids and gases produced by the decomposition of organic matter.
A modern sanitary landfill can be defined as a facility designed and operated as a basic
sanitation project that has sufficiently safe elements of control, and the success of which lies
in the selection of the suitable site, its design, and of course, its effective and efficient
operation and control.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 15

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 16

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 17

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 18

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 19

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Types of Sanitary Land Filling

Trench method
The trench method is used primarily on level ground, although it is also suitable for
moderately sloping ground. In this method, trenches are constructed by making a shallow
excavation and using the excavated material to form a ramp above the original ground. Solid
waste is then methodically placed within the excavated area, compacted, and covered at the
end of each day with previously excavated material. Because of the need to install landfill
control measures (e.g., liners), a number of trenches are typically excavated at one time.
Trenches are made 20 to 25 ft wide and at least twice as wide as any compacting equipment
used. The depth of fill is determined by the established finished grade and depth to
groundwater or rock. If trenches can be made deeper, more efficient use is made of the
available land area.

Area or Ramp method

On fairly flat and rolling terrain, area method can be utilized by using the existing natural
slope of the land. The width and length of the fill slope are dependent on the nature of the
terrain, the volume of solid waste delivered daily to the site, and the approximate number of
trucks that will be unloading at the site at one time. Side slopes are 20 to 30 percent; width of
fill strips and surface grades are controlled during operation by means of line poles and grade
stakes. The working face should be kept as small as practical to take advantage of truck
compaction, restrict dumping to a limited area, and avoid scattering of debris. In the area
method, cover material is hauled in from a nearby stockpile or other source. The base of the
landfill is established by the previously determined elevation of bedrock, groundwater, and
bottom liners and leachate collection and removal systems.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 20

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Valley or Ravine Area or Pit method

In valleys and ravines, the ravine method is usually the best method of operation. In those
areas where the ravine is deep, the solid waste should be placed in ‘‘lifts’’ from the bottom up
with a depth of 8 to 10 ft. Cover material is obtained from the sides of the ravine. It is not
always desirable to extend the first lift the entire length of the ravine. It may be desirable to
construct the first layer for a relatively short distance from the head of the ravine across its
width. The length of this initial lift should be determined so that a one-year settlement can
take place before the next lift is placed, although this is not essential if operation can be
controlled carefully. Succeeding lifts are constructed by trucking solid waste over the first lift
to the head of the ravine. When the final grade has been reached (with allowance for
settlement), the lower lift can be extended and the process repeated. The bottom landfill liner
and leachate collection and removal system must be designed carefully to ensure that slope
stability of the liner system and the waste placed is adequately maintained.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 21

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 22

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 23

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 24

VVIET
Integrated Waste Management for a Smart City Module 1

Question Bank
1. Explain the different sources and types of solid wastes.
2. Discuss the physical and chemical properties of municipal solid waste.
3. Estimate the energy content of solid waste sample with the following composition. Assume
moisture content = 21%, ash content = 5%. What is the energy content on dry basis and on ash
free dry basis?
Food Garden
Component Paper Plastic Wood
waste Trimming
% by Mass 15 45 10 10 5
Energy
content 4650 16750 32600 6500 18600
KJ/Kg
4. Explain the concept of Integrated Solid Waste Management.
5. Briefly explain Hauled container and Stationary Container system with a neat sketch.
6. Explain with a neat sketch, components of gas collection system.
7. With a neat sketch, explain the different method of sanitary land filling.
8. List the various factors to be considered in the selection of a site for a sanitary land
fill.
9. Explain the Significance of Recycling.
10. Explain the various Recycling programme Elements.

Dr Adarsh S, Department of Civil Engineering, Page 25

VVIET