“Convert waste into wealth” was the message of
the seminar on “Solid Waste Management” organised by Institution of
Engineers.
The experts told that India produces 7.2 million
tones of hazardous waste annually. This means additional one sq km of
land is needed as landfill every year, which needs Rs 16,000 crore for
treatment. Population of Mumbai has grown 33 per cent in 10 years.
Where as solid waste for the city grew at 67 per cent, which shows the
gravity of the problem and the need to mobilise efforts for effective
solid waste management, the experts added.
Dr (Er) NS Tiwana, former executive director of
the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, said: “The problem
is that all waste is not collected and 94 per cent of what is
collected is dumped.”
“One must know how to minimise wastage, try and
re-use products like bags etc to the extent it is possible and dispose
materials through segregation so that recycling is easier,” said
Balkar Singh, senior manager, Punjab Energy and Development Agency (PEDA).
Pulkit Jain, student of Chitkara Institue of
Engineering said: “All this causes several problems. This led to a
cloud burst in 2005 due to clogged sewerages. Also there is reduction
in the number of migratory birds due to consumption of contaminated
food. And the number of animals dying due to consumption of plastics
is on the rise.”
Er Balkar offered some practical solutions to
manage the problem. He said: “Buy durable products which use less
packaging material and go for reusable items. Always carry a cloth bag
when shopping and remember that one man’s rubbish is another man’s
treasure. So give away things to people rather than dumping.”
There is an increase in pressure on existing
disposal sites and there is not adequate infrastructure for handling
the increased amount of waste. The pressure has increased with the
coming of e-waste.
