CSIR-CMERI, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, has recently won acclaim in the news circuit for its innovative effort at solving India’s waste management issue. The institute has successfully developed a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Processing Facility also known as a Decentralised Solid Waste Management Plant.
The escalating challenge of waste management in India
With an escalating population and rapid urbanization, India is grappling with a mammoth waste management challenge. Current projections estimate an increase in waste volume from 62 million tonnes to 150 million tonnes by 2030. The practice of indiscriminate garbage dumping without adequate scientific treatment is adding to the demand for yearly landfill area.
Research indicates that Indian MSW typically comprises a significant fraction of organic wastes. When disposed of unscientifically, these emit harmful greenhouse gas and air pollutants including methane. Ineffectual processing of MSW can lead to serious health risks, as dumped landfills become breeding grounds for pathogens, bacteria, and viruses. Traditional methods such as composting fail to deliver impactful economic returns. They require large tracts of land, labour, pasteurisation for effective disinfection, and remain limited in their utility due to the presence of heavy metals. Furthermore, managing such facilities becomes challenging during monsoon due to excessive moisture.
The innovatively designed MSW Processing Facility
Developed in line with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016 prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the MSW Processing Facility aims to offer a scientific method to manage solid waste including Covid-19 waste.
The facility boasts special disinfection capabilities comprising UV-C lights and hot-air convection methods aiming at breaking the Covid-19 chain. Interestingly, the plant is energy self-sufficient thanks to roof-mounted solar panels, the excess supply can also be channeled onto a mini-grid.
Objectives and Mechanism
The MSW Processing Facility aims to simplify waste segregation for households through advanced techniques. It targets decentralized decimation of solid wastes and intends to create value-added end-products from dry leaves, dry grass, etc.
The facility employs a mechanised system that segregates solid waste into metallic waste, biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste, and inert wastes. This system is not only efficient but also less labor-intensive and more precise.
Significance and Opportunities
This initiative opens up opportunities towards achieving the dream of generating 100 GW Solar Power by 2022 and promoting a city with a “Zero-Waste and Zero-Landfill Ecology”. The plant could potentially spur job creation through process-engagement and manufacturing, fostering Micro Small Enterprises (MSEs) and start-ups all over the nation.
Waste Disposal Methods
The facility incorporates different waste disposal methods such as bio-gasification for bio-degradable waste, vermicomposting, briquette production from the biomass waste, pyrolysis for polymer waste disposal, and high-temperature plasma gasification for sanitary waste disposal.
While these methods are comprehensive, some like high-temperature plasma gasification are not economically viable due to high energy requirements. However, the facility continually strives for self-sustainability while also exploring opportunities to reuse and recycle waste products.
Credit: PIB