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Introduction
Introduction
Waste generation and management are severe challenges in building a sustainable world. Around the world, more than 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated every year. One-third of all food produced - 1.3 billion tonnes- is wasted every year. More than 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste is produced every year.
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur produces more than 4230 tonnes of municipal solid waste and 210 tonnes of cooked food waste every year. The institute also produces huge amounts of horticulture, hazardous, construction & demolition, and chemical waste every year. In alignment with the institute’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 and reducing the waste sent to landfills, we propose a comprehensive approach to waste management and disposal.
While the institute already manages hazardous, chemical and horticulture waste in collaboration with various vendors, our focus lies on improving the management of solid waste and cooked food waste generated on the campus.
Through this project proposal, we briefly discuss the current waste management scenario at the institute and problems in the current scenario, propose solutions and estimate the costs and potential benefits involved.
Through this project, the institute aims to achieve net-zero waste-to-landfill and fulfill its commitment to sustainability.
Current Scenario
Current Scenario
The current scenario of waste management at IIT Kanpur is as follows:
Solid Waste: In 2022, an estimated 4230 tonnes of solid waste was generated on the campus. This waste is picked-up from various locations across the campus by a government approved vendor (JTN Services Pvt. Ltd.). The vendor is contracted to transport the waste from the institute to a transfer station in Panki. Waste from this transfer station is transported to a Nagar Nigam waste processing plant in Bhauti.
Cooked food waste: The amount of cooked food waste generated in all the halls of residence combined is estimated to be around 700 kg per day (~210 tonnes per year). Most of this waste is segregated from the solid waste and handled at the hall level. Waste is managed in an unorganised way, some halls giving away the waste to feed domesticated animals.
Uncooked food waste: In 2022, an estimated 425 tonnes of uncooked food waste or kitchen waste was generated on the campus. Drum composting method is used and the compost generated is distributed to the campus residents free of cost.
Horticulture Waste: In 2022, an estimated 3470 tonnes of horticulture waste was generated on the campus. The tree woods are collected and segregated by the institute nursery and later auctioned by the Estate Office. Rest of the waste is dumped in a landfill.
Hazardous waste: Various departments and hall offices are responsible for collection and auction of e-waste from academic area and halls of residence respectively. For residential areas, collection drives are held every second saturday of the month to collect hazardous waste items including electronic and electrical equipments. The collected waste is sold off to an authorised recycler.
Chemical Waste: Chemical waste is divided into three categories, namely: chlorinated, non-chlorinated and solid. Chlorinated and non-chlorinated liquid waste is collected in canes and transferred alongwith the solid waste to master bins kept at a chemical shed. Later this waste is outsourced to Ranky Enviro Engineers Ltd. under UP Waste Management Project.
Problems in current scenario
While uncooked food waste, horticulture waste, hazardous waste, and chemical waste are being disposed in an environmentally friendly manner. Disposal of the solid waste and cooked food waste is a matter of concern for the institute. The institute has no information as to what happens to the waste picked up by the government approved vendor - how much goes to landfill, how much is recycled, and how safe is the recycling process - are some questions with no reliable answers. Assuming that the solid waste collected from the institute goes into a landfill, he institute wants to take responsibility of the waste generated on its campus and ensure proper disposal of the waste.
Dumping of waste into landfill releases various gases including carbon dioxide, methane and pollutes air, water, and soil. The institute was responsible for the emission of about 3,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022 due to improper waste disposal practices. These figures represent a substantial amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, exacerbating the issue of global warming.
Landfilling also poses significant threats to human health. Water gets contaminated with toxic chemicals, soil and air are polluted due to landfills. The gases emitted, such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, cause respiratory issues and in severe cases, exacerbate conditions like asthma, particularly for those residing or working nearby.
Moreover, by dumping materials into landfills our economy looses valuable materials that could be recycled into useful products. Thus it is necessary to utilise the full potential of materials discarded as waste and help in reducing the use of virgin materials for manufacturing new products.
Proposed Solutions
Cooked Food Waste
Proposed Solution: Smart Drum Composting System
Proposed Solution: Smart Drum Composting System
A Smart Drum Composter is a waste management solution capable of addressing the organic waste generated on our campus. With a capacity to process up to 1000 kg of waste per day, the composter can seamlessly convert a variety of organic waste materials—including fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, eggshells, and other non-hazardous organic matter—into high-quality organic compost.
A Smart Drum Composter is a waste management solution capable of addressing the organic waste generated on our campus. With a capacity to process up to 1000 kg of waste per day, the composter can seamlessly convert a variety of organic waste materials—including fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, eggshells, and other non-hazardous organic matter—into high-quality organic compost.
2. Solid Waste
Proposed Solution: Material Recovery Facility & Waste-to-Energy Technology
A Material Recovery Facility (MRF) can effectively sort solid waste into different material streams and process them for recycling. The institute can setup a MRF to sort the waste into a stream of recyclable materials and non-recyclable materials. The recyclable materials can be pre-processed and given to authorised recyclers for further processing whereas, the non-recyclable materials can be converted into pallets, through a waste-to-energy machine, which can then be sold for co-incineration.
The proposed solution for managing solid waste on the campus involves setting up a Material Recovery Facility and a Waste-to-Energy machine.
Conclusion
The “Net-zero waste to landfill” project is a significant step taken by the institute to take responsibility of the waste generated in the campus, handle the waste in an an environmentally-friendly manner and reduce its emissions. The solutions proposed for managing cooked food waste and solid waste will help the institute in taking up this responsibility and pave the way for a better future.
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