India is seeing rapid economic development but it is still lagging behind when it comes to sanitation. With a population exceeding 1.2 billion, there is an escalating and immediate need to address the sanitation issues. Solid Waste Management is no more a concern of only the developed cities. Rural areas are also getting densely populated and thus in urgent need of effective Solid Waste Management System.
Solid Waste Management System includes a systematic approach to waste material management that includes its collection, transportation, processing, recycling, treatment and disposal. In rural settings, solid waste includes a wide spectrum of materials. These material may originate from cattle sheds, kitchens, gardens, agricultural activities, waste material from the house and more. Solid waste encompass both organic and inorganic material. The solid waste in rural areas is mostly organic. Timely disposal is necessary to ensure environmental sustainability and hygiene. Efficient solid waste management in rural areas is essential not only for environmental conservation but also for maintaining public health and sanitation. Sustainable waste management practices can help reduce the impact of waste on the environment and promote a cleaner and healthier rural life.
Compost organic waste in rural
Organic waste is typically treated through composting. It is a natural process where microorganisms break down organic materials into nutrient-rich compost. This compost can be further used as a soil conditioner and fertiliser for agriculture. In some cases, solid waste in rural areas can be processed to generate energy in the waste-to-energy plants. This approach can help reduce the volume of waste that goes to landfills and produce electricity. The inorganic waste, including plastics, glass, and metals, is often sorted and sent for recycling. Recycling facilities process these materials to create new products, reducing the demand for raw materials and lessening environmental impact. The waste that cannot be composted or recycled is disposed off in a controlled and environment-friendly manners. Landfills are commonly used for this purpose. Proper measures have to be taken to prevent groundwater contamination and minimize odours in the case of landfills.
The Government of India has devised comprehensive statistical analysis aimed at identifying the key parameters to asses cleanliness throughout the country. This initiative is also aimed at raising awareness about cleanliness in villages, Gram Panchayats (GPS), Blocks, Districts and States. Extensive consultation has been done with states, experts, and a Harvey over 70,000 households in 75 districts nationwide is done to formulate two indices: the Cleanliness Index and SLWM (Solid and Liquid Waste Management) Index.
Cleanliness Index focuses on cleanliness of village through presence of safe toilets in village households. The SLWM Index, gauges environmental sustainability through absent of litter and stagnant water around the residences.
Village Cleanliness Index (C) C = 0.4*X1 + 0.3*X2 + 0.1*X3 + 0.2*X4
Village SLWM Index S = 0.5*X2 + 0.17*X3 + 0.33*X4 where,
X1 = % of households having access to safe sanitation
X2 = % of households having no litter around them
X3 = % of households having no stagnant waste water around them
X4 = % level of litter free around public places
These different factors are estimated by the Gram Sabha. Tracking the metrics is important to make the improvements and take right actions. The Solid Waste Management in rural areas poses unique challenges. Limited infrastructure, lower awareness and scattered population make the collection and disposal difficult. Lack of proper monitoring is leading to improper waste disposal and thus the pollution. Community education and investment in rural waste management infrastructure are essential to address these challenges effectively.
Solid Waste Management Solution
With increasing solid waste in rural areas, the most practical choice is to establish an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan as soon as possible. This is where Convexicon’s Solid Waste Management System can play an important role by providing the smart solution.
Convexicon’s Smart Solid Waste Management System leverages IoT sensor technology and a resilient online platform to facilitate real-time oversight, control and reporting of complete waste collection cycle. Each step in the waste collection is subject to real-time monitoring, all coordinated from a centralized command and control centre. With this system the officials can monitor the filling status of garbage bins, optimize route planning for waste collection and disposal vehicles and monitor their movements in real-time. It is the one of the most innovative Waste Management Solution in India and already being implemented in Varanasi. For more information, reach us at: +91 8800443333