Abstract

The paper focuses on managing industrial and household waste effectively which is untapped. The underlying potential and business opportunities. To look at waste in a new light with scientific approach. The market for waste management, the various forms of managing waste and the underlying potential, also the opportunities to tap the untapped. Solid waste management is relatively new concept knowing its wide scope and challenges.

Key Words: Waste, Management, incineration, composting, pulverizing, recycling.

Management of Waste A Business Opportunity Introduction

India is developing country, with a fast industrial and economic growth. Its human resources including natural resources are a great asset for its development and to stand tall among nations. The challenge for the country is its resources in some areas are not managed to its fullest advantage - one such area is the management of household and industrial waste. Historical, it is observed that the quantity of waste generated has been increasing with improvement in life style. Waste is a material reject from the society and thus reflects the characteristics of the society, income level, economic, health, consumer orientation, cultural persuasions, technological advancements, social standard and aspirations. Due to rapid urbanization, waste management has become acute in India. Waste management made business sense and that there is potential in this area, we need to look at waste in a new light with scientific approach and can unearth Rs. 6000 crores of business opportunity annually. The western countries have achieved great strides in waste management.

Objectives of the study

To know the management of industrial household waste with scientific approach. To know the scope of waste management in India. Business opportunities underlying in waste management. To explore untapped resources and there utilities.

Limitations of the study

Waste management is yet an unorganized sector in India. Market is yet to take shape, hence less information is available. Public are not aware of the concept in India. The estimations are made taking Delhi as sample.

What is waste management . . . . .

Waste management is an activity of collecting, transporting, processing, recycling or disposal of waste material. It is a combination of different methods to

minimize the use of resources, reusing, recovering and recycling them to the maximum extent possible.

Business model
Solid waste management is a relatively new concept in India, compared to the west where it is a highly organized business. The typical business model involves [1]: Collection Transportation Segregation Treatment & Disposal There is opportunity hidden in each step. So, while planning a business in waste management, an entrepreneur may consider end-to-end solution or focusing on one segment.

Methods of waste management

1. Incineration 2. Composting 3. Recycling

Incineration
Incineration is waste treatment technology, which involves the combustion of organic materials. Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gases, particulates, and heat, which can in turn be used to generate electricity. Incineration is a process of converting waste into energy through burning.[3]

The process of incineration . . . .

Sorting and pre - sizing Solid waste is characterized by heterogeneous mixture of various materials like construction of debris, tyres, branches of trees and other similar bulky materials. These materials have the potential to damage the equipment used in the process in the 3

subsequent stages of the plant operations and hence could be sorted or pre sized on the sizes. Solid waste is then fed into a primary pulverizer to bring solid waste into uniform size. Drying Solid waste has low heat value in its raw stage (1000 K. cal) primarily owing to the moisture content in the waste. The same in its dry form contains a heat value of about 3500 K. cal. This clearly defines the need for drying the waste, especially when the waste is to be fed as a fuel substitute. Various options for drying exist, however the most economical and feasible options are the solar system and the hot air drying. Screening and segregation Screening is adapted primarily to remove fine sand and or grit from the solid waste. The fine fraction of the separated screens is utilizable as manure and has good potential to meet the compost qualities. A magnetic separator shall be placed in the conveyor system which shall separate or segregate ferrous metals from the waste during the process. This fraction also would find its potential in the recycling market. The non - combustible fractions includes heavy materials like stones and other materials which would be segregated adopting the gravity separation technique. The waste shall be passed through the pneumatic classifier in which light fractions of the waste shall be separated from the heavy fraction. The dried, screened and light weight segregated combustible fraction of the waste collected in the form of fluff is one form of ready fuel which can be directly burned. This would have a calorific value of about 3500 K. cal of waste material. Pulverizing The coarse fluff or combustible material collected is then processed trough a pulverizer or size reduction unit. This fluff along with the light weight fluff directly collected is utilizable as fuel fluff which can be incinerated for energy recovery. The fluff collected is generally fibrous in nature. Steam generation The process of steam generation has three important factors: Waste loading and combustion Emission controls Ash removal and disposal

Waste loading and combustion: The generated fuel fluff or the pellets are conveyed to a storage pit from where the same is collected by a overhead crane which hosts a grapple, which can collect and drop the waste into the feed hopper cum chute. The waste can also be conveyed using a conveyor belt. The system thus loads the wastes into the boiler which is a fixed hearth incinerator or boiler, which is fitter with a multi grate system for efficient burning of the materials. Combustion takes place in the boiler in a combination of drying, thermal oxidation process. In order to ensure the organic matter is thermally oxidized adequate oxygen is required to augment the same supply of air through FD fan is provided. The oxygen from the air is utilized by the burning organic matter and the same is converted into gasses the process is thus also defined as gasification. The process of gasification is simple, under high temperature conditions the components of organic matter get separated into the following gaseous compounds:

Steam: Carbon Hydrogen Sulphur Nitrogen Emission controls Almost every country has its own law concerning emission from solid incinerators. To achieve the national standards advanced flue gas cleaning systems are required. To accomplish the international quality of emission control the following gas cleaning system should be adapted: Electrostatic Precipitators Multistage wet scrubbers Ash removal and disposal Boiler ash shall be continuously removed from the chamber for two primary reasons firstly to clean the boiler and create adequate space for further ash collection and secondly to eliminate the heat loss which would be taken by the ash in the chamber. Ash will be removed by online cleaning devices, knocking devices, rapping : : : : Carbon di - oxide Steam Sulphure di oxide, sulphuric acid oxides of nitrogen [2]

machines soot blowers. Dust will be collected in the hopper and conveyed for disposal. Electrostatic precipitator dust shall also be very fine, it could have potential for utilization in the building industry, the option is already explored, however its application with the solid waste ash is to be tested and re proven. Power Generation The process of incineration or steam generation converts waste into thermal energy in the form of high pressure steam and this has the potential to be converted into electrical energy by using a steam turbine. The conversion of high pressure steam to electricity is performed in two stages, in the first stage the same is converted into mechanical energy by the way of injecting the steam through nozzles, which creates high velocity steam which rotates the blades of the turbine owing to the torque. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy. The process of converting steam into electrical energy is typical and is a well known concept of power generation similar to the convention system adapting coal as fuel. In countries like Japan, Sweden, Denmark, huge quantities of waste is converted into energy, primarily because of scarcity of land for creating land fills. Wastetoenergy plant makes sense in a power deficient country like India. According to the planning commission, there is a potential of 2700 MW of power generation from urban and industrial waste in the country. The 11th five year plan even targets 400 MW of power generation from wastes.

Composting
Another method of solid waste management currently gaining popularity is composting. Waste received directly from market yards and restaurants with rich organic matter coupled with higher moisture content shall be directly used for composting process. Outdoor composting is one of the suited options for inoffensive waste or where the composting facility can be located away from populated areas. Outdoor composting is generally chosen when the disposal cost of waste feed stock is low and only capital is available.[4] Composting has two methods: Windrow composting Vermi composting

Methodology (windrow composting)

a. Organic waste is delivered in a windrow b. Biologically inoculum is sprayed on the waste in required quantities. c. Water is sprayed on the waste or by addition of biological inoculums. d. Each windrow is turned on 6th and 11th days outside to the center to provide aeration. This also destroys insects larvae. e. Turning is carried out by using front end loaders etc. f. On 16th day the windrow is broken down. g. It is then passed through a rotary screen of about 25 mm sq. mesh to remove oversize contrary material. h. The oversized material is sent to land fill for disposal. i. Screened compost is to be stored for 30 days to ensure stabilization. Vermi composting Converting of organic waste into manure using verms is called as vermi composting.Vermi composting is done same as the windrow composting. Organic waste such as food material can be used for preparing compost. It then sold to plant nurseries and homes. Windrow composting takes about two weeks and vermi composting takes about a month. India is very rich in biodegradable waste, primarily because of our food habits, hence there is a huge potential to generate revenue in this area.

Recycling
Recycling is a big market; it is carried out after segregation of garbage. Once organic and inert waste has been removed, what remain are mostly PET bottles, cold drink cans, paper cartons and certain types of plastic products. These are sold to companies who recycle such products. [5]

Table 1: Physical characteristics of solid waste in Indian cities

Population range(in No. of cities Paper Rubber, leather, Glass Metals Total compostible 43.59 48.38 44.73 45.07 53.90 Inert

million) surveyed synthetics matter 0.1 0.5 12 2.91 0.78 0.56 0.33 44.57 0.5 1.0 15 2.95 0.73 0.35 0.32 40.04 1.0 2.0 9 4.71 0.71 0.46 0.49 38.95 2.0 5.0 3 2.18 0.48 0.48 0.59 48.20 >5 4 6.43 0.28 0.94 0.80 30.84 Source: Manual on municipal solid waste management by CPHEEO, 2006

Table 2 Waste Category

Sl. No Waste category Range 40 45 4 10 45 - 56 Average percentage 45% 8% 47%

1 Organic waste 2 Recyclable waste 3 Other inert wastes Source: Bhanu Prakash Projects, 2005

The above statistical data figures out the business opportunity in management of waste. The highest figures lies between the compostible matter and inert. Inert is dirt, inorganic residues, rejects from recycling facilities and organic waste management facilities. Inert is used as land fills. [7]

The market
In India the market is yet to take the shape. Waste management is yet unorganized in India, whereas in foreign countries it is organized growing in strides. Applied waste industries are listed on New York stock exchange. The industry has seen mergers and acquisitions in the 90s. An Assocham study shows the generation of waste daily in the following cities as follows: Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Total : : : : : 6000 tons 5800 tons 4000 tons 2675 tons 15275 tons

Total size of opportunity in 42 cities is Rs 6128 Crore

Estimates [1]

Delhi solid waste market

Solid waste generated in Delhi per day Total waste generated / year Organic / composed waste (60%) Recyclables (25%) Inert (15%) Revenues from collection Each household monthly collection Quantity Collection charge Each household yearly collection Quantity Collection charge Yearly collection quantity Collection revenue Compost prepared from organic waste Quantity Sale price of compost (in Rs / ton) Revenues from the sale of compost Recyclable from waste Quantity Sale price of recyclables (Rs / ton) Revenues from the sale of recyclables 6000 tons 2190000 tons 1314000 tons 547500 tons 328500 tons 0.06 tons 25 Rs/ month 0.72 tons 300 Rs / year 2190000 tons 91 Crore 1314000 tons 5000 657 Crore 547500 tons 5000 Rs 274 Crore

Total size of opportunity in Delhi

Taking Delhi as a sample the estimates are:

Rs 1022 Crore

1. Per day collection in Delhi is 6000 tons could rake in Rs 365 Crore, out of this 60% is organic waste, 25% is recyclable material and 15% is inert. Making compost out of biodegradable and selling it in open market is another Rs 657 Crore opportunity. 2. Selling recyclables could fetch in another Rs 274 Crore. This totals to a whopping Rs 1022 Crore every year waiting to be tapped! Extrapolating this figure across different categories to 42 cities that have a population of a million plus and the figures are Rs 6128 Crore to be made every year!!!

Starting of own venture:

To handle waste from 10000 houses one needs Capital investment Working capital Land Rs 20 lakh Rs10 lakh 2-4 Acres (dividing the land into dumping, 9

Labour

segregation and composting areas) 50 waste collectors, 10

supervisors including drivers. The waste collectors work during the rest of the day in segregation and composting. Transport - TATA Ace seems to the favorite. Rickshaws to do collection in housing blocks.

Conclusion and Policy implications

In a nutshell, the treasure is not in trash can, but in what you make out of it. Waste management is an untapped area which has huge potential. It can generate great revenues and new employments, clean and safe environment for the citizens, which inturn helps India to be a Waste-Free nation. With all above findings Government should design a policy which utilizes waste to its fullest advantage, create awareness about the management of waste and encourage entrepreneurs to explore the opportunity in waste management. Even the public and financial institutions should extend there cooperation to manage the waste in more productively.

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