Conflict Resolution in Solid Waste Management using the tools of Planning, Technology and Management

1. Conflict Resolution inSolid Waste Managementusing the tools ofPlanning, Technology and Management War on Waste September 12 ,2009 Sanjiv Kumar General Manager

2. Conflict Resolution This presentation has been structured as follows: • Gravity of the situation and the associated problems • The conflict of understanding and conflict between various stake holders • Important issues flagged • Can there be a definite road map ?

3. Gravity of the situation with respect to Solid Waste Management • India has a population of 1327 million (2008 census), out of which 495 million live in urban areas • Estimated 62 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated annually, i.e., 1.65 lakh tons daily • Although average per capita generation is 0.2-0.6 kg per day depending upon the size of the city, the total generation for larger cities is huge • For example, Delhi and Mumbai, generate more than 6500 and 7000 tons per day respectively • The urban local bodies have the mandate to provide the services for proper management of MSW

4. Problems faced by the urban local bodies • With rapid increase in population in the urban areas, the municipalities are finding themselves in a very difficult position • With increasing population density and quantum of waste juxtaposed by shrinking availability of land for disposal of waste has led to a very challenging situation • Due to changing lifestyle, the waste material is becoming more complex (for example, thin plastic film, tetra-packs, different types of batteries, chemicals etc.)

5. Problems faced by the urban local bodies ……. …… contd. • For dealing with suchchallenging situation, a high level of institutional, managerial and planning capability is required on the part of the local bodies • At the same time, financial strength and financial management are crucial for viable project implementation and service delivery • The local bodies not only need money but also qualified, trained and skilled manpower in the relevant disciplines • At the same time, mutual understanding, confidence and support of the community is essential for the success of any system

6. Conflict : the blame game is on There is conflict all around in SWM • Between the public (citizens) and the urban local body (ULB) • Between the city and the surrounding villages (ULB vs. Panchayat) for land and transport of garbage • Conflict in the understanding of the public – private partnership (PPP), commercial viability and the market • Conflict in the relevant regulatory instruments

7. Are we able to appreciate the Importance of Solid Waste Management ? • Appropriate management of solid waste is essential for health, clean and hygienic environment and for aesthetic appeal • Proper storage, collection and transportation of solid waste is also essential for cleanliness of roads and drains • If solid waste is not removed and disposed properly, it may lead to vector breeding (fly, mosquito etc) and spread of diseases and even epidemics • On the part of the municipality, appropriate management of solid waste means saving of cost

8. Issues Flagged • Land • Centralized vs. decentralized facilities • Use of land unsuitable for other uses • Concept of regional facilities • The apparently insignificant issue of compost quality • The standard for sanitary landfill • Old dump-sites – remediation and rehabilitation

9. Issues Flagged …… contd. • Construction and demolition waste • Bio-medical waste • Industrial / hazardous / toxic waste generated within municipal area • products, buy Norms / guidelines / standards for recycling and use of recycled back • Conflict about recycling – informal sector, occupational hazards and environmental issues • e-waste (electrical and electronic waste) – an emerging issue

10. Land for processing and disposal • It has become almost impossible to get land for setting up waste processing and disposal facilities (suitable land being a far cry) • Even sites which are being used for a long time often attract objection from settlers who have come more recently. There are numerous examples • What could be the solutions ?

11. Land for processing and disposal …….Contd. • It is difficult to remedy a chronic problem which is the result of prolonged neglect, lack of understanding of the environmental and hygiene issues, absence of regulation and absence of good practices • The following strategy could be considered : (a) Land use plan with provision for waste management (solid and liquid waste of municipal, bio-medical and industrial origin) on a long term basis with projection of growth of population and migration

12. Land for processing and disposal …….Contd. (b) No development zone (minimum 500 meters) around the designated site (c) Appropriate design in accordance with the applicable rules followed by appropriate management of different types of waste material so there is change in public perception and rationale of resistance (d) Confidence building with the public, not only for identifying and acquiring suitable land but for future cooperation and smooth operation

13. Saving land through resource recovery • One way of appropriate disposal is to put all the collected solid waste (without segregation) into suitably designed sanitary landfill but the requirement of land would be high • The concept of resource recovery is assuming greater significance in view of growing shortage of land • Land required for landfilling is saved to the extent the waste stream is reduced through processing of waste

14. Centralized vs. decentralized facilities The following issues need to be deliberated upon : • Planning issues (ULB, communities, activists, NGOs etc.) • Location of facilities vs. distance from the points of generation of waste • Ownership of land • Environment and proximity of habitation

15. Use of land which is not suitable for other purposes • Fallow and non-arable land should be identified, which are also not suitable for other purposes • Some of these sites could be suitable from the point of environmental and logistic issues (such as distance, road access, habitation, water body etc.) • In this way more options would be available for ranking • Less resistance would be encountered

16. Concept of Regional Facilities • This would open up enormous possibilities in terms of - Scale of economy in establishing appropriate facilities in conformity with the ‘Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000’ - It is felt that these rules are fairly stringent in terms of quality and environmental requirements

17. Concept of Regional Facilities ……. contd. • Identification and acquiring of suitable land would be easier • However, these benefits are annulled by the issue of increased distance and consequently, transportation cost • The concept of regional facilities is diametrically opposite to the decentralized planning options and this issue needs to be deliberated upon carefully before making regional plans

18. Resource recovery, recycling • Apart from saving land, there is scope of resource recovery through such processing and valuable products like compost, biogas, heat, electrical power, recycled paper, plastics, glass, metal etc. are obtained • However, for processing of the major component – bio-degradable matter – composting is one of the most popular systems • Let us look into the issues as an example

19. Composting : Quality is a formidable issue • Composting is a relatively simple and less expensive option for stabilization and resource recovery from bio-degradable waste • It can be done in different ways : • Aerobic windrow composting • Anaerobic trench composting • Vermi-composting • In-vessel aerobic composting • Quality of compost is emerging as one of the most important issue

20. Composting : Quality is a formidable issue ……. Contd. • It is well known that inspite of its simplicity and relative cost advantage, composting system has remained a challenge during the long history of its application in this country • Commercial viability has so far been elusive although there have been occasional reports of viability through adequate revenue accrual • The MSW rule of 2000 stipulates stringent quality requirement, especially in terms of minimum concentration of eight metals – As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn • The Fertilizer Control (Amendment) Order, 2006 imposes additional stringency in terms of TOC (), C/N ratio, particle size and conductivity

21. Composting : Quality is a formidable issue … contd. • Source segregation, separate collection and transportation and avoidance of subsequent contamination are important issues which are very difficult to achieve in practice (contamination from electro-plating industry, health care facilities within the municipality, e-waste etc.) • The market has high expectations regarding nutrient content too • Lately, the demand for organically grown food is increasing across the globe and consequently, the stringency of quality requirements

22. Final disposal : the new rules • Traditionally, solid waste has been dumped in the open in an unscientific manner • The ‘Municipal solid waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000’ mandates final disposal in a properly engineered and constructed sanitary landfill, which is a contained system from which pollutants can not escape • There is an impervious bottom layer with arrangement for leachate collection (which is subsequently collected and treated) • The top is also covered and the gas generated is collected

23. Final disposal : the new rules ……….. contd. • In the last 5 years during the implementation of these rules there have been observations by the practitioners as well as experts regarding the stringency of the specifications, with respect to the current situation in the country • This increases the cost and skill-set requirement as well as management capability • There is vagueness about provisions for the containment norms in case there is source segregation and only inert waste goes to the sanitary landfill

24. Old dumpsites : remediation and rehabilitation • We have these dump-sites everywhere, whether old or in use • These are not only eye-sore but environmental time bombs, which may unleash a host of diseases and suffering • These need to be studied in depth to find out lasting and affordable solutions for different ground situations through remediation and rehabilitation • Huge chunk of usable land would be released

25. Construction and demolition debris • The percentage of inert material in the municipal solid waste has been steadily increasing (30-50%, bigger cities on the higher side), a majority of this is generated from the construction and demolition activities • Separate storage, collection and transportation of such waste needs to be enforced, which can be facilitated by appropriate use of these materials, driven by commercial considerations • This would reduce transportation cost and have a positive impact on compost quality

26. Bio-medical Waste • Bio-medical waste is generated in relatively smaller quantity in comparison to municipal solid waste but due to its infectious and toxic nature, it is hazardous for health • Since it is regulated by a separate rule – ‘Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998’, it is perceived to be outside the domain of municipal jurisdiction leading to confusion and lapses

27. Special Wastes • Different types of waste is generated within the municipal area but not covered by the two rules mentioned above, e.g., health care waste generated in homes, battery cells, electro-plating industries operating within the town, automobile garages without dedicated waste processing and disposal system etc. • e-waste is a fast emerging issue which remains to be addressed properly • It is high time, buy back and similar systems are deliberated upon and put in place

28. The eternal conflict about resources • From whatever channel the resources come, it is ultimately the Tax Payer’s money including property tax, service charge etc.) • The important point is how best the resources are utilized and a framework of long-term sustainability is worked out • One perception tends to believe that PPP is the panacea but actually, it is extremely difficult to make waste management into a profitable venture on a stand-alone basis based on revenue accrual from sale of goods and services

29. Conclusion : can there be a definite road map ? • There are conflicts in the whole scenario of waste management • It is possible, however, to deliberate upon these issues, resolve the conflicts and find viable and sustainable solutions by using the tools of meticulous planning (preferably participatory planning), appropriate technology and management • Sustained IEC should be applied as the fly wheel to scale any barriers or conflicts

30. The eternal conflict about resources………… contd. • The challenge is to combine with associated activities in innovative ways – from use of waste in cement industry to carbon credits • Here again the tools for optimization are – meticulous and comprehensive planning, appropriate technology and management with a vision

31. Thank You