9.5. Urban Waste Disposal

Urban waste disposal is a serious problem in India. In metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, etc., about 90 percent of the solid waste is collected and disposed. But in most of other cities and towns, about 30 to 50 percent of the waste generated are left uncollected which accumulate on streets, in open spaces between houses and in wastelands leading to serious health hazards.

Urban waste disposal refers to how cities manage the waste generated by their populations. In major cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata, the majority of waste is collected, showing effective disposal systems. However, in smaller towns, a substantial amount of waste remains uncollected, leading to cluttered streets and public areas. This situation creates health risks for residents due to issues like unsanitary conditions and potential disease outbreaks.

Imagine a classroom where students regularly throw their trash on the floor instead of in bins. Over time, the mess would build up, attracting pests and making the space unpleasant. Similarly, when urban waste is not collected, it creates dangerous and unhealthy environments.

The solid waste refers to a variety of old and used articles, for example stained small pieces of metals, broken glassware, plastic containers, polythene bags, ash, floppies, CDs, etc., dumped at different places. These discarded materials are also termed as refuse, garbage and rubbish, etc., and are disposed of from two sources: (i) household or domestic establishments, and (ii) industrial or commercial establishments.

Urban waste comes from diverse sources. It includes everyday items that people throw away, like packaging materials, leftover food, and broken household items. Waste is generated primarily from two areas: households, which produce domestic waste, and businesses or industries, which generate commercial waste. Understanding where waste comes from helps in creating effective strategies to manage and reduce it.

Think of a family having a big birthday party. The amount of food waste, used paper plates, and leftover decorations creates a lot of garbage. Similarly, cities need to manage both household trash from families and larger trash from businesses to keep the urban environment clean.

The huge turn out of ashes and debris from industries, thermal power houses and building constructions or demolitions have posed problems of serious consequences. Solid wastes cause health hazard through creation of obnoxious smell, and harbouring of flies and rodents, which act as carriers of diseases like typhoid, diphtheria, diarrhoea, malaria and cholera, etc.

When waste management is poorly executed, it leads to significant environmental and public health issues. Large amounts of waste from industries and construction sites can lead to foul smells and can attract pests such as flies and rodents. These pests are often carriers of diseases, posing health risks to the nearby populations. If waste is not disposed of properly, it can have serious repercussions on community health, leading to outbreaks of various diseases.

Consider a picnic where trash is left littered around. This can attract pests like ants and flies, which can cause illnesses when they contaminate food. Poor waste management in cities creates similar conditions where trash becomes a breeding ground for diseases.

These wastes should be treated as resource and utilised for generating energy and compost. Untreated wastes ferment slowly and release toxic biogas to the atmosphere, including methane. Proper treatment and recycling can help alleviate the issues of urban waste disposal.

Instead of treating waste solely as a problem, it can be viewed as a resource. By effectively recycling materials and converting waste into energy through composting, cities can not only reduce the amount of waste in landfills but also create sustainable energy sources. Proper waste treatment prevents harmful emissions like methane, which can occur when waste breaks down without proper management.

Think of a compost bin at home where kitchen scraps turn into fertile soil for gardening. This transformation minimizes waste and adds value. Similarly, cities can implement waste recycling systems that convert trash into usable resources, promoting environmental sustainability.

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