MEVE 013: Unit 03 - Environmental Biotechnology for Solid Waste Management

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UNIT 3: ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

3.1 Introduction

The rapid increase in population, urbanization, and industrialization has led to a massive rise in solid waste generation. Managing this waste in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way is a major global challenge. Environmental biotechnology provides eco-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective solutions by utilizing biological systems—microorganisms, plants, enzymes—to treat, convert, or reuse solid waste. This unit explores how biotechnology helps manage different types of solid waste and recover valuable resources.

3.2 What is Solid Waste?

Solid waste refers to discarded materials that are not liquids or gases. These include household garbage, industrial refuse, agricultural residues, medical waste, demolition debris, and other waste types. If not managed properly, solid waste can cause land, water, and air pollution, attract pests, and pose health risks.

3.3 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Municipal Solid Waste is the everyday waste generated from households, offices, institutions, and public places. It includes:

  • Organic waste (food, kitchen waste)
  • Recyclables (paper, plastics, glass, metals)
  • Inert waste (dust, rubble)
  • Hazardous household waste (batteries, e-waste)

3.3.1 Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is dangerous to human health or the environment. It includes:

  • Toxic chemicals
  • Infectious biomedical waste
  • Flammable or corrosive materials
  • E-waste and heavy metals

3.3.2 Non-Hazardous Waste

Non-hazardous waste is less harmful and includes:

  • Biodegradable waste (food, garden waste)
  • Paper, cardboard, and non-toxic plastics

3.4 Sources of Solid Waste

  • Residential: Generated from daily household activities (food scraps, packaging, etc.)
  • Commercial: Shops, offices, restaurants (packaging, paper, organic waste)
  • Industrial: Manufacturing units (scrap metal, chemical sludge, etc.)
  • Agricultural: Crop residues, manure, pesticide containers
  • Construction & Demolition: Bricks, concrete, tiles, wood
  • Biomedical: Hospitals and clinics (syringes, gloves, medicines)

3.5 Classification of Waste

3.5.1 Based on Hazardous Potential

  • Hazardous Waste: Reactive, toxic, corrosive, or flammable (e.g., e-waste, chemicals)
  • Non-Hazardous Waste: Biodegradable or inert waste

3.5.2 Based on Content

  • Biodegradable Waste: Decomposes naturally (food, garden waste)
  • Recyclable Waste: Can be reused (glass, paper, plastic)
  • Inert Waste: Non-reactive and non-decomposable (sand, ceramics)

3.5.3 Based on Origin

  • Domestic Waste
  • Industrial Waste
  • Agricultural Waste
  • Biomedical Waste
  • Electronic Waste (E-waste)

3.6 Solid Waste Management (SWM)

Solid Waste Management includes all activities from waste generation to its final disposal.

3.6.1 Collection

Involves gathering waste from households, commercial areas, and institutions using bins, containers, and garbage trucks.

3.6.2 Segregation and Storage

Waste is separated into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclable, and hazardous categories. Proper storage prevents contamination.

3.6.3 Transportation

Transported in sealed containers or vehicles to minimize spillage and odor. Must comply with municipal regulations.

3.6.4 Treatment and Disposal

3.6.4.1 Landfilling

  • Oldest method of waste disposal.
  • Involves dumping waste into pits or trenches.
  • Can lead to groundwater contamination and methane release.

3.6.4.2 Bioreactor Landfill

  • Advanced landfills where moisture and air are added to accelerate microbial activity.
  • Produces more biogas and reduces waste volume faster.

3.6.4.3 Composting

  • Aerobic decomposition of organic waste by bacteria and fungi.
  • Produces compost rich in nutrients for agriculture and gardening.

3.6.4.4 Vermi-Composting

  • Earthworms are used to decompose organic waste.
  • Produces high-quality vermi-compost and reduces waste volume.

3.7 Biotechnological Advancements in Solid Waste Management

3.7.1 Bioremediation

Use of microorganisms or plants to degrade or neutralize pollutants in waste.

3.7.2 Objective of Bioremediation

  • Detoxify hazardous substances
  • Restore contaminated environments
  • Reduce dependency on chemical treatments

3.7.3 Principle of Bioremediation

Microorganisms metabolize pollutants as nutrients or energy sources, converting them into harmless by-products like CO₂ and water.

3.7.4 Categories of Bioremediation

3.7.4.1 Phytoremediation

  • Plants absorb, store, or detoxify pollutants.
  • Example: Sunflowers removing heavy metals from soil.

3.7.4.2 Microbial Remediation

  • Bacteria and fungi break down complex organic compounds.
  • Example: Pseudomonas species degrading oil spills.

3.7.5 Types of Bioremediation Methods

3.7.5.1 In situ Bioremediation

  • Treatment at the contamination site.
  • Less expensive, minimal disruption.

3.7.5.2 Ex situ Bioremediation

  • Contaminated material is removed and treated elsewhere in bioreactors or composting systems.

3.7.6 Advantages of Bioremediation

  • Environmentally friendly
  • Low cost compared to chemical methods
  • Effective for a wide range of pollutants

3.7.7 Limitations of Bioremediation

  • Slow process
  • Not effective for all contaminants
  • Requires specific environmental conditions (temperature, pH, oxygen)

3.8 Role of Biotechnology in Solid Waste Management

Biotechnology plays a critical role in:

  • Enhancing composting through microbial inoculants
  • Bio-drying of waste
  • Biodegradation of plastics using enzymes or microbes
  • Treating landfill leachate
  • Converting organic waste into bioenergy

3.9 Resource Recovery

Resource recovery aims to extract valuable materials or energy from waste, minimizing landfill use.

3.9.1 Biomethanation

  • Anaerobic microbial digestion of organic waste.
  • Produces biogas (mainly methane) and digestate (can be used as fertilizer).
  • Used in rural and urban biogas plants for energy generation.

3.10 Summary

  • Solid waste management is vital for environmental protection.
  • Environmental biotechnology offers sustainable tools like composting, vermi-composting, and bioremediation.
  • Solid waste can be classified by type, origin, and hazard potential.
  • Treatment methods aim to minimize waste volume, recover resources, and reduce pollution.
  • Advanced biotechnology methods like biomethanation and phytoremediation can improve waste management efficiency and support a circular economy.

3.11 Key Words with Definitions

  • Solid Waste: Unwanted solid materials from homes, industries, and agriculture.
  • Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Waste generated by households and municipal activities.
  • Hazardous Waste: Waste that poses a risk to health or the environment.
  • Non-Hazardous Waste: Waste with no immediate danger, such as kitchen or garden waste.
  • Landfilling: Disposal of waste by burying it in designated land areas.
  • Bioreactor Landfill: Engineered landfill using microbes to speed up decomposition and gas recovery.
  • Composting: Aerobic biological process to convert organic waste into compost.
  • Vermi-Composting: Use of earthworms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
  • Bioremediation: Use of living organisms to clean up polluted waste.
  • Phytoremediation: Use of plants to absorb or detoxify pollutants.
  • Microbial Remediation: Use of microbes to degrade environmental contaminants.
  • In situ Bioremediation: Treatment of waste at the site of contamination.
  • Ex situ Bioremediation: Treatment of waste at a separate, controlled location.
  • Biomethanation: Anaerobic digestion of organic waste to produce biogas.
  • Resource Recovery: Extracting useful products or energy from waste materials.

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