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| Last Updated:: 02/03/2024

Soil

 

          Soil is the dumping ground of most of the waste products-domestic, human, animal, industrial and agricultural. Every year the solid wastes dumped into the soil are increasing at an alarming rate all over the world. Large number of hazardous chemicals and several thousand tons of wastes are ultimately dumped on the land. These are leached by municipal and industrial wastes and are responsible for pollution of ground water. The problem of soil pollution is compounded by the use of agrochemicals, eg., pesticides, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, biocides, fertilizers and manure. Besides these the soil is polluted by deadly pathogenic organisms. The soil pollution differs from air and water pollution in the sense that the pollutants in soil remain in direct contact with the soil for relatively longer periods. In fact, the soil has been heavily polluted as a result of industrial revolution and green revolution. Basically humans are responsible for the pollution of the land. The main sources of soil pollution include industrial wastes, urban and domestic waste, radioactive pollutants, agrochemicals, chemical and metallic pollutants, biological agents, acid rain etc.

 

                  The terrain gradient, drainage density, runoff coefficient, frequent rain events, perennial streams and rivers etc succors a clean environment for the State of Kerala. Added to this is the concerted effort and achievements of the State in sanitation sector. Kerala was one of the first States in the country to fully do away with the dehumanising practice of scavenging as a culmination of people's movement for basic human dignity. Further, Kerala is one of the three open defecation free States in the country. Though the primary goal of sanitation is achieved, there are various secondary issues affecting the hygiene of the State. It includes increasing discharge of solid and liquid waste, cross-contamination of septage with groundwater, pollutant release from industries, vehicular traffic beyond the carrying capacity of roads, indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides etc. imposing serious restraints on the environmental cleanliness of the State.

 

                Going by the definition of waste as any unwanted or unusable material, substances, or by-products at a particular place and time, major waste streams include agricultural waste, food waste, electronic waste, biomedical waste, industrial waste and municipal waste.

 

Waste Generation and Status

 

          Kerala is a state considered to be having a developed modern society. The consumption of more resources results in the generation of more waste. All types of waste including solid, hazardous and biomedical waste generation in the state are more compared to other states in the country. There is a series of actions initiated at National and State level abate the problems arise due to the wastes, particularly the pollution problem. Solid waste generation is mainly due to industrial and domestic activities. The waste generated due to industrial activities is of hazardous as well as non-hazardous nature. The solid waste generation due to domestic sources, the garbage, is very high in the State. The biomedical wastes are generated from all health care institutions. The responsibility of collection, treatment and safe disposal of all types of solid wastes rests with the generator.

 

DRIVING FORCE

 

          The Population of the State is increasing steadily, apart from the development in all spheres of life of the people. These will definitely an impact on the solid waste generation as well.

 

1. Municipal Solid Waste:

 

                 Currently, 1,30,000 tpd (47.5 million tpa) of municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated due to various household activities and other commercial and institutional activities (CPCB, 2012). Studies indicate that 1 per cent increase in the national income increases MSW by 0.7 percent. Studies carried out in 59 cities indicated that there was 2.94 times increase in the MSW generation over a decade from 2001 (Joshi and Ahmed, 2016). It is also indicated that 51 percent of the MSW generated is compostable, 18 percent recyclable and 31 percent inert. Among the recyclables, 6 percent is paper, 3 percent is textiles, 1 percent is leather, 4 percent is plastics, 2 percent is metals and 2 percent is glass materials. The MSW contains 47 percent moisture and its calorific value is only 1751 Kcal/Kg (CPCB, 2013). A comprehensive sectoral status study on solid waste management sponsored by the Water and Sanitation Project- South Asia of the World Bank estimated the MSW generation as 400 gpd in major urban centres, 300 gpd in municipalities and 200 gpd in rural areas (SEUF, 2006). Detailed sampling studies in major urban centres of the State indicated that the waste generation is almost 17.5 percent higher (Varma, 2014). The annual MSW generation in Kerala is 3.7 Million tons the details are given here:

 

MSW Generation in Kerala  

Region

Population (2011)

Per Capita MSW Generation 
(gram/day)

Total MSW Generation 
(TPD)

Corporation

3011629

470

1415

Municipalities

12923297

350

4523

Grama Panchayats

17471135

235

4106

Total

33406061

 

10044

Source: Varma, 2013

                 

               Compilation of various studies indicates that the sources of MSW are dominated by households where almost 50 percent of the waste is generated. It is also indicated that almost 83 percent of the waste is generated in specific sources. The details are shown below:

 

Sources of MSW Generation

 

                  The type of waste generated is dominated by compostable and the quantum varies for major and minor urban centres are shown below:

 

Type of MSW Generated in Major Urban Centres

 

Type of MSW Generated in Smaller Urban Centres

 

                 The moisture content of the waste varies from 55 to 70 percent and the average calorific value is around 1700 Kcal/Kg. The compostable part of the waste is dominated by food waste. It is predicted that Asian countries will experience largest increase in food waste production by 44 percent i.e., from 278 million to 416 million tons between 2005 to 2025, there by the CH4 emission will enhance from 34 million to 48 million tons (Kiran et.al., 2014).

 

 

2. Agricultural Waste

 

                  Agricultural waste in India is estimated to be around 620 Million tonne per annum (tpa), 43 per cent of which is animal dung and slaughter wastes (Singh and Prabha, 2017). Kerala produces about 99,198 tpa of animal meat and 11,89,115 tpa of bird meat and generates about 38,100 tpa of slaughter waste from 15,680 units (Ecostat-Kerala, 2014). The units include 2435 poultry stalls, 148 butcher shops, 685 meat stalls, 168 butcher shop cum meat stalls and 53 slaughter houses handling meat and poultry. 75.30 per cent of these units are functioning without any license. There are 809 units with no facility for waste disposal, 490 disposes to open pit, and 4,104 to closed pit. In addition, 8,700 units reported that they have other type of waste management facility which means that they are also to be considered as units without any waste disposal facilities. Only 666 units work with treatment plants for waste disposal.

 

3. Industrial Hazardous Waste

 

          Rapid industrialisation has resulted in the generation of large quantity of wastes, both solid and liquid, in industrial sectors. Despite requirements for pollution control measures, these wastes are generally dumped on land or discharged into water bodies, without adequate treatment, and thus become a large source of environmental pollution and health hazard. It is estimated that 10-15 percent of the industrial waste generated in India (4.43 million tpa) is hazardous and its annual increase varies from 2 to 5 percent (EAI, 2010). Kerala generates hazardous waste to the order of 71058 tpa from 542 industrial units. In this, 71 per cent of the hazardous waste generated is landfillable, 24 per cent is recyclable and 0.3 per cent is incinerable (Khanna et.al. 2009; Ratnakar & Dharmendra, 2012). About 64 per cent of the hazardous waste generated in Kerala is in Ernakulum district followed by 26 per cent in Kollam district and 4 per cent in Thiruvananthapuram district. A Common Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) is being established at Ernakulam and 17 units have their own TSDF. There is also one common and one captive incineration facility in the state with capacity of 250 tpa and 1500 tpa respectively (KSPCB, 2010).

 

  • Inventorisation of Hazardous Waste Kannur to Wayand | Part I | Part II

 

4. Biomedical waste

 

                  Kerala has the highest number (about 27 percent) of health care institutions in India. The total bed strength of hospitals in Kerala is 1,13,530 of which 43,273 are in the Government sector, 2,740 in the co-operative sector and 67,517 in the private sector (CPCB, 2011). It is estimated that each bed generates about 1.5 to 2 kg/day of solid waste and 450 litres per day of liquid waste. 85 percent of the solid waste is non-hazardous, 10 percent is infectious and 5 percent is toxic. Accordingly, it is estimated that about 83,000 tpa of waste is generated in the hospitals of the state of which about 12,500 tpa is the biomedical waste which is infectious or toxic (Raveena, 2012). Almost 90 percent of the biomedical waste generated in the state is handled by figures, an agency established by the Indian Medical Association.

 

                                                  

5. Electronic Waste:

 

                  India generates about 1.85 million tpa of e-waste and ranks fifth in the world among top e-waste producing countries. It is projected that by 2020 the e-waste generation in India will be 5.2 million tpa. Unorganized sector accounts for 95 per cent of India's e-waste. The number of mobile phone users in India, 1.1 billion in 2016, is 4 times that of United States. There are 57 million computers in use and plethora of other gadgets and consumer electronics. India accounts for roughly 4 per cent of e-waste generated annually (Agarwal and Ghosh, 2016; Ghosh, 2017)). An ASSOCHAM-KPMG study indicates that 70 percent of the total e-waste generated in India is contributed by computers and 12 percent by telecommunication equipment.

 

                  There are no specific estimates on the generation of e-waste in Kerala. Considering the fact that 32.6 percent of the households in Kerala have both land and mobile phones against a national average of 11.7 percent and 20.4 percent have computer connectivity as against the national average of 18.7 percent, the e-waste is becoming a major solid waste stream in Kerala. Much of the e-waste generated is recyclable. In order to facilitate this, 178 dismantler/recycler agencies are enlisted for handling 438,086 tpa of e-waste, i.e. 24 percent of the total generated. It indicates that most of the e-waste is ill-managed in the unorganized sector. Kerala does not have a e-waste disposal plant and the waste mostly goes into unorganized market for crude dismantling, recovery and reuse (Patel and Balachandran, 2016).

 

Waste characteristics and its variation quantity

 

          The Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) quality is same in all areas but its quantity varies. There are cases of biomedical waste, industrial waste and hazardous waste mixing with MSW. No segregation of MSW done in general. However in certain urban areas like Kozhikode Municipal Corporation an attempt is being made to segregate the waste.

 

            Industrial hazardous waste quality and quantity is based on the type of source. Industrial solid waste and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) sludge are not properly disposed. Waste generated from conventional industries like coir and cashew also causing problems.


         According to the pollution potential, hazardous wastes handling units are classified into three categories namely red category (highly polluting), orange category (medium polluting) and green category (less polluting). The distribution of hazardous waste handling units as per the category wise classification is given here.
                                      

 

       The sector wise distribution of hazardous waste generation in the state is given in the table given here.

 

          The Coir units in Kerala are generating about 500t/y of solid wastes out of which about 143t/y is of hazardous nature as these units are having dyeing or bleaching facility. Biomedical wastes are not fully segregated at source, though there is tremendous improvement in the biomedical waste in the State. So the entire solid waste generated from health care in institutions becomes infectious.The details are given in here.           

                               

IMPACTS

 

1. Municipal Solid Waste:The improper disposal of municipal solid waste at the disposal/dumping sites attracts rodents, files, etc. apart from this the open dumping of wastes create an unhygienic condition.

 

(a) Soil Contamination:The unscientific management of municipal solid waste will lead to contamination of soil. The contamination of soil was reported from a few MSW dumping sites. The soil purification activities cannot be dreamed at the present level of economic condition of the State.

 

(b) Ground water Contamination:The contamination of soil, in turn, leads to contamination of ground water. This is mainly due to percolation of leachate. The quantity of leachate will be more in Kerala due to heavy rainfall. Once the ground water is polluted it may take decades to attain the normal condition. Some studies shows that ground water contamination is observed near some waste dumping yards.

 

(c) Health Problems:The open dumping areas can create health problem, as it will lead to multiplication of rodents and flies. Open dumping may result in the generation of anaerobic gases, which lead to creation of bad odour primarily resulting in a variety of diseases. There are persistent complaints from people residing near open dumping areas. Health care establishment premises with poor solid waste management are more prone to spreading diseases.

 

2. Hazardous Waste:The improper and unscientific disposal of hazardous wastes results in adverse impact on ecosystem including human health. In absence of common hazardous waste handling facilities in the State the industrial units generating hazardous waste are presently storing the wastes in their own premises.

 

(a) Soil Contamination:Once hazardous wastes are disposed on land toxic metals, oils and toxic chemicals will contaminate soil. It is reported that some toxic organic chemicals can affect the soil productivity.

 

(b) Ground water Contamination:The contamination of soil results in the pollution of groundwater due to heavy metals and toxic organic compounds. Groundwater once contaminated may take years to get purified. Kerala is a State where large numbers of wells are used for drawing groundwater for domestic purposes as well as for agricultural use. The use of such polluted water will affect adversely the health of the people. There are a few areas in the state near industrial units where the groundwater contamination is reported.

 

(c) Health problems:The contamination of soil as well as groundwater will affect the health of the people.

 

3. Biomedical Wastes:The biomedical wastes, which comprises of toxic chemicals and pathogens will lead to more environmental problems if not managed properly.

 

(a) Soil Contamination:The disposal of biomedical waste on land without treatment will lead to the contamination of soil. The disposal of needles, biomedical solid waste, etc. is a major area of concern.

 

(b) Groundwater Contamination:The failure of deep burial system as well as disposal of biomedical waste incineration ash may contaminate groundwater.

 

(c) Health Problems:Cases of infectious diseases, reappearing in some parts of the State are of concern. This is feared to be mainly due to improper management and handling of biomedical waste by health care institutions.

 

          Out of 30,000kg/d of biomedical waste only 12,000kg is incident. There are about 600 incinerators installed in Health care institutions in the State. The total installed capacity is about (600x50) 12000kg per hour. All of them are not having adequate emission cleaning facilities, which results in the generation of large quantities of gaseous emissions is given here.                                          

 

Legislative measures and their efficancy:There are a number of legislations on treatment of waste, both national as well as state level. The actions initiated in the state are the following:

 

 1. Municipal Solid waste: 

  • The Municipalities Act,1994
  • The Panchayath Raj Act,1994
  • The Muncipal Solid Waste(Management and Handling) Rules 2000
  • The Environmental (Protection)Act, 1986 


           In the case of municipal solid wastes, the Govt of Kerala is having an ambitious programme-the Clean Kerala Mission. As this programme, Govt.of Kerala is planning to have scientific solid waste management system to all local bodies in the State. In the first phase, the mission proposes, to assist all urban local bodies to provide solid waste management system and then to extend the programme to all rural local bodies. The assistance is by way of preparation of solid waste management schemes, help to identify suitable waste processing and land disposal sites and extending financial assistance for matters exclusively for this purposes. It is hoped that all local bodies will be providing scientific municipal solid waste management system within next two years.

 

          In the case of municipal solid waste management the municipal corporations, the municipalities and all the Grama Panchayaths are engaged in the solid waste management activities. The Clean Kerala Mission is assisting all local bodies for selection of proper technology, identifying treatment and disposal sites, preparing action plans, arranging training programme to various personal involved in the municipal solid waste management, etc. even though the State Pollution Control Board is a statutory agency, the Board is proactively participating in the implementation of municipal solid waste management systems.

 

2. Biomedical waste

  • The Municipalities Act,1994
  • The Panchayath Raj Act,1994
  • The Biomedical Wastes(Management and Handling) Rules 1998
  • The Environmental(Protection0,Act 1986

 

          In the case of biomedical waste management, the Government of Kerala has prepared a vision document on biomedical waste management. This document is the first of its kind in India . As per the vision document, Government is proposing to install three common biomedical waste treatment and disposal facilities in the State. Already there is one common biomedical waste treatment and disposal plant in Kerala working at Palakkad district, The Indian Medical Association (IMA). Apart from this the IMA is having proposal to start two more common facilities at other parts of the state, which are at different stages of its implementation. Once these common facilities become a reality the environmental problems due to the biomedical waste management can be totally avoided.

 

          In the case of biomedical waste all the health care institutions are responsible for the management of the biomedical waste generated. Most of them are having some facility or other for the treatment and disposal of biomedical waste. In many cases the facilities are as per the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. However it is noted that common waste management facility is the most acceptable solution for biomedical waste. Govt. is planning to have three common facilities with private participation. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board is extending all technical assistance to the State Govt. in this respect
 

3. Hazardous Waste: 

  • The Hazardous Waste(Management and Handling)Rules 1989
  • The Environmental(Protection0,Act 1986
  • Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

         

           In the case of hazardous waste, temporary disposal/storage facilities in their own premises have been installed on a few places. There is a proposal to start a common hazardous waste facility at some central location

 

          In the case of hazardous waste management with the initiative of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Industries Department Govt. is planning to have one common facility at a central place in the State. The Kerala State pollution Control Board of extending all technical help to Govt. in this aspect.

 

Infrastructure provided for waste collection, treatment and disposal its performance.


           The Kudumbasree, a voluntary agency is assisting all local bodies for the house-to-house collection of municipal solid waste and transportation of waste.

 

           IMAGE a sub organization under the IMA has installed a common biomedical waste treatment and disposal facility at Kanjikode in Palakkad district. The IMAGE is giving training to health care workers of hospitals affiliated to their facility on segregated storage of biomedical waste, precautions to be taken while handling the biomedical waste, storage of biomedical waste, use of needle destroyers, provisions of the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, etc. they undertake transportation of biomedical waste to their common treatment facility after proper segregation and labelling.

 

          The proposed common facility of hazardous waste will have collection and transportation arrangements, also apart from treatment and disposal.

 

4 .E-Waste

  • e-waste (Management) Rules, 2016

 

5. Plastic Waste

  • Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016
  • Plastic Waste Mannagement (Amendment)  Rules 2016

 

Infrastructure for monitoring

 

          The Kerala State Pollution Control Board is continuously and vigorously monitoring the waste management activities by various agencies as well as the environmental problems if treatment, disposal etc. corrective measures are suggested to adopt environment friendly techniques for the management of all sorts of solid waste.

 

Economic incentives for waste management

 

          The State govt. is providing incentives by way of grants for putting up municipal solid waste management programmes. The Govt. of India under the ministry of Environment and Forests is having a funding mechanism by sharing the investment cost under their model facility scheme. One municipal corporation in the state has already availed of this facility and a few other local bodies are waiting for Government of India assistance.

 

Role of stakeholders, community participation, awareness, education


           In the case of biomedical waste and hazardous waste management the generators are the main stack holders. The generators are responsible for the proper management of waste. However, though the local bodies are the main stack holders, the community participation is very important. The awareness and education of the public is equally of importance in this case.


         The awareness of the health care workers and their education and awareness of industrial workers and their education is important in the case of biomedical waste management and hazardous waste management.

 

          The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Clean Kerala Mission, Universities, Professional Organizations, Productivity Council, NGOs etc have taken lead in the awareness and education activities in this regards.

 

Soil Testing Laboratories In Kerala

 

 Source:Agriculture Department