Multi-sector evaluation of generation, composition and sustainable treatment systems for commercial waste streams in India

authored by: Christopher Josef Speier, Rahul Ramesh Nair, Moni Mohan Mondal, Dirk Weichgrebe
Abstract: India is currently facing fundamental challenges in managing rising amounts of solid waste, in which the growing commercial sector accounts for a large proportion. Development and implementation of sustainable waste management systems require a profound understanding on commercial waste generation and composition characteristics. In this article, solid waste generated from three different commercial establishment areas and scales were investigated, characterised and analysed based on the number of employees in South India. Each commercial waste stream was further stratified into different waste generator types. The multi-sectoral commercial waste analysis results showed that organic waste share ranges from 4.9 to 60.4 wt% for different establishment sizes and types. A noticeable amount of 30.2–55.8 wt% sanitary and biomedical wastes were identified in IT & offices establishments. Through an analysis of 195 companies, mixed waste generation per employee (E) were obtained as 114.8, 180.4, 322.7 and 1537.0 g E⁻¹d⁻¹ for education facilities, IT and offices, manufacturing companies and hotels and restaurants, respectively. The chemical analysis showed that mixed waste of medium and large establishments does not comply with the existing Indian composting requirements. However, commercial waste above a particle size of d > 60 mm complies with the proposed quality guidelines for Indian refuse-derived fuel.
Organisation(s): Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management
Type: Article
Journal: Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management
Volume: 21
Pages: 1155-1166
No. of pages: 12
ISSN: 1438-4957
Publication date: 13.09.2019
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Waste Management and Disposal, Mechanics of Materials
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-019-00869-7 (Access: Closed)