Ijraset Journal For Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology
Authors: Divyanshi ., Dr. Abhai Kumar Verma
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2024.65827
Certificate: View Certificate
In many developing countries, open dumping remains the primary method for disposing of municipal solid waste (MSW). However, this practice causes significant environmental problems. Leachate from these dumpsites pollutes surface water, while heavy metals from the waste contaminate groundwater over time. Additionally, the release of gases such as CO?, CH?, and other toxic emissions contributes to air pollution and exacerbates climate change. These dumpsites not only harm the environment but also become unsightly, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable and eco-friendly waste disposal methods. Bio-mining offers a practical and effective solution for reclaiming large dumpsites. This process involves extracting, recycling, and reusing various materials from waste dumps in an organized manner, promoting resource recovery and economic benefits. Bio-mining is an innovative, cost-effective, fast, and environmentally sustainable method that remediates old dumpsites, eliminates landfill gases and leachate emissions, and restores land for reuse with minimal maintenance. A combined approach enhances this process, beginning with the stabilization of waste through bioreactor landfill treatment, followed by bio-mining techniques. A conceptual framework for implementing bio-mining at the MSW dumpsite has been developed. Additionally, a comprehensive plan for the future management of open dumpsites has been formulated, focusing on long-term sustainability and environmental protection.
I. INTRODUCTION
Globally, landfilling remains the most common method for waste disposal, but it has significant environmental consequences. It leads to long-term methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming, and the leaching of hazardous substances through leachate, which contaminates vegetation and groundwater. Furthermore, frequent fires at dumpsites, often triggered by methane auto-ignition, degrade air quality by releasing smoke and harmful emissions, causing severe air pollution (CPHEEO, 2020). Methane emissions from old dumpsites account for approximately 3-4% of the annual global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2001). This approach to waste disposal is inherently unsustainable, as valuable natural resources within the waste, including materials and energy, are left untapped and squandered. Decades-old legacy waste deposits hold untapped potential as valuable resources. However, the limited availability of space for landfill operations presents a significant challenge, particularly in densely populated areas. The rapid growth in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation has transformed these landfills into towering piles of legacy waste. Managing the steady influx of daily solid waste while addressing neglected legacy waste, which has accumulated into massive heaps at open dumpsites originally intended for sorting, processing, and landfilling, are two of the primary challenges faced by urban solid waste management in Indian cities and towns [1].
India generates a total of 160,038.9 tonnes per day (TPD) of solid waste, out of which 152,749.5 TPD is collected, achieving a collection efficiency of 95.4%. Of the collected waste, 79,956.3 TPD (50%) is treated, while 29,427.2 TPD (18.4%) is disposed of in landfills. However, 50,655.4 TPD, accounting for 31.7% of the total waste, remains unaccounted for. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB, 2020), the country has 3,184 dumpsites, as reported by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). Of these, 234 have been reclaimed, and eight have been converted into landfills. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of dumpsites (609), followed by Madhya Pradesh (326) and Maharashtra (237) [2]. The Swachh Bharat Mission emphasizes reclaiming landfill sites and reducing their environmental impact, aligning with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, and guidelines from the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT). A key objective is to recover an estimated 10,000 hectares of urban land currently occupied by dumpsites (CPCB, 2019). Urban India faces significant challenges in developing integrated solid waste management infrastructure, which requires vast land resources for landfilling. Land reclamation offers a potential solution, enabling a scientific approach to managing municipal solid waste (MSW).
Recently, the Hon’ble NGT directed the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for implementing bio-mining and bio-remediation of legacy waste across Indian landfills. The current global scenario, characterized by intense competition for resources, rising raw material costs, depleting natural reserves of valuable resources, and escalating environmental issues, highlights the need for alternative resource extraction methods. One such viable approach is bio-mining, which focuses on recovering valuable materials and energy from waste. Bio-mining involves the excavation, stabilization, screening, and segregation of landfill materials into various components, including soil (referred to as bio earth or good earth), recyclables, combustibles, inert materials, and residual waste. This sustainable method not only extends the lifespan of landfills but also mitigates contamination from unlined open dumps, offering a practical solution for resource recovery and environmental remediation [1].
A. What is Legacy Waste?
Legacy Waste refers to municipal solid waste (MSW) that has been accumulated and stored for years on barren land or in landfills. These long-standing waste deposits often form massive heaps, commonly seen as large mountains of waste on the outskirts of cities
B. Legacy Waste Hazards
Modern cities inevitably rely on trenching grounds where vast amounts of municipal solid waste have been dumped over the years. These sites often become aesthetic and environmental liabilities, posing significant challenges to city councils that struggle with their upkeep and associated administrative costs. Dumped waste emits foul odors, releases toxic smoke, and contaminates groundwater. During summer, metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai frequently face fire hazards on these sites. Legacy waste also serves as a breeding ground for pathogens and flies, generates unpleasant odors, and produces leachate that can contaminate water sources. Additionally, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and increases the risk of severe fires.
C. Biomining of Legacy Waste
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, biomining is the scientific process of excavating, treating, segregating, and repurposing aged municipal solid waste, also known as legacy waste. This eco-friendly technique separates soil, recyclables such as plastic, metal, paper, textiles, construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and other solid materials from legacy waste. Biomining offers a sustainable solution to complex environmental challenges, employing environmentally sound methods for sorting and segregating materials for reuse, recycling, or filling low-lying areas.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
From the literature study based on Biomining Strategies for Legacy Waste Remediation and Resource Recovery following conclusions are made: 1) Biomining presents an effective and sustainable method for reclaiming valuable materials from legacy waste, contributing to a circular economy and reducing reliance on primary resources. 2) The process aids in cleaning up contaminated sites, improving public health, and reducing environmental risks associated with legacy waste, such as leachate and greenhouse gas emissions. 3) The development of more sophisticated and automated screening and sorting technologies can complement biomining, allowing for better separation of valuable fractions and efficient use of recovered resources. 4) By converting waste into valuable resources, biomining can generate economic opportunities through the sale of recovered materials and energy products, supporting local economies. 5) Compared to traditional mining or waste management methods, biomining requires less energy and fewer resources, making it a more eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative. 6) Ongoing research into biomining strategies, including advancements in bioleaching and microbial treatments, is essential for optimizing recovery rates and developing practical, scalable solutions for urban waste management. 7) Bioreactor landfill treatments combined with biomining can accelerate the stabilization of legacy waste, leading to faster and more efficient reclamation processes and improved recovery rates 8) The successful implementation of biomining strategies requires comprehensive policies and regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable waste management practices and provide incentives for technology adoption. 9) Despite its potential, challenges such as varying waste compositions, economic feasibility, and the need for specialized technology need to be addressed to make biomining more widespread and efficient. 10) Proper implementation of biomining strategies can lead to long-term environmental and economic benefits, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for future generations. 11) Combining biomining with Waste to Energy technologies can further enhance the sustainability and economic viability of waste management systems by converting organic waste fractions into energy. 12) Beyond resource recovery, biomining provides a method for reclaiming land that can be repurposed for urban development or agriculture, supporting sustainable land management and reducing the pressure on available land resources. 13) The organic fraction of legacy waste can be utilized for bioenergy production, such as biogas generation, offering an additional source of renewable energy that supports energy sustainability.
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Copyright © 2024 Divyanshi ., Dr. Abhai Kumar Verma. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Paper Id : IJRASET65827
Publish Date : 2024-12-09
ISSN : 2321-9653
Publisher Name : IJRASET
DOI Link : Click Here