Municipal solid waste (MSW) or garbage is thrown away from every house,
every office, and every institute i.e. from every area that is dwelled. Topsy-turvy
urbanization in the race of raising high rise & hi tech constructions far beyond
the needs and closer to our egotistic fulsomeness, has lead this bare problem
to a calamitous survival. The governments, environmentally sensible
organizations, and inimitable individuals are finding technological ways to
counter this global catastrophe. First step is to make people aware of
reducing, reusing, & recycling waste at its very origin then to properly
hauling it away, treating, and utilizing it in a manner that is auspicious for
the environment and health of our planet.
Waste-to-energy
A study in Malaysia
shows that waste-to-energy techniques can recuperate energy from MSW [1]. MSW
is being used for energy production in levelheaded countries who are putting
forward a stiff scuffle to make human life better after whole world has wriggled
to make it worse. In Malaysia a case study was done at a landfill to mug up the
options for technological waste-to-energy stratagem. Incineration is expedient
for the production of electricity & heat. Anaerobic digestion was found out to be more promised for electricity
generation. A study in China showed that waste-to-energy incineration of MSW can
improve ambient environment and cut out greenhouse gas emissions while producing
renewable energy [2]. Pollutant discharges via MSW into land, water, & air
can also be taken care of through this technology. Waste-to-energy methods can
not only elicit better management of MSW but can also kindle methods of harvesting
alternative energy.
Biogas yield
Biogas can be yielded
from MSW using efficiently designed anaerobic digesters [3]. After adequately
reducing MSW’s size and by considering key features like temperature hydrogen-ion
concentration, and moisture content etc. for designing digesters, the biogas
yield can be resourceful.
Bioelectricity
production
A study on
cattle manure shows that bioelectricity can be produced through it [4]. MSW has
the potential to generate electricity that can be further utilized. Also, the
greenhouse gas emissions can also be reduced when large amount of MSW will be
employed for bioelectricity production [5].
MSW management in
Pakistan
In Pakistan the annual
MSW production is around 20 million tons and the production rate is increasing
each year [6]. Unless the public is aware of environmental issues and is
self-motivated to generate less waste at the source, the MSW production rate
per year cannot be lessen. In the absence of proficient waste collection system
the waste is being dumped on the streets and in any area that has apparently
unclaimed space. Neither waste sorting at the source is encouraged nor does the
public have an inner urge to do so. Serious health problems are on rise due to
deteriorating environment. According to a study in Data Ganj Bukhsh Town in
Lahore, Pakistan showed that reconditioning household waste material, gathering
biowaste, biogasification, and energy recovery from landfill are preferable
scenarios for an environmentally enhanced practice [7]. A proper MSW management
plan is needed to solve the issue of solid waste floating around here and there
across the country.
A gist of MSW by,
Engr. Ayesha Alam Khurram
References
[1] S. T. Tan, W. S. Ho et al., “Energy,
economic and environmental (3E) analysis of waste-to-energy (WTE) strategies
for municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Malaysia”, Energy conservation and management, vol. 102 (2015), p: 111-120.
[2] H. Cheng and Y. Hu, “Municipal solid
waste (MSW) as a renewable source of energy: Current and future practices in
China”, Bioresource Technology, vol.
101 (2010), p: 3816-3824.
[3] A. H. Igoni, M. J. Ayotamuno et al., “Designs
of anaerobic digesters for producing biogas from municipal solid-waste”, Applied Energy, vol. 85 (2008), p:
430-438.
[4] Y. Lee and N. Nirmalakhandan, “Electricity
production in membrane-less microbial fuel cell fed with livestock organic
solid waste”, Bioresource Technology,
vol. 102 (2011), p: 5831-5835.
[5] M. A. Rajaeifar, H. Ghanavati et al., “Electricity
generation and GHG emission reduction potentials through different municipal
solid waste management technologies: A comparative
review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,
vol. 79 (2017), p: 414-439.
[6] https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/solid-waste-management-in-pakistan/
[7] S. A. Batool and M. N. Chuadhry, “The
impact of municipal solid waste treatment methods on greenhouse gas emissions
in Lahore, Pakistan”, Waste Management,
vol. 29 (2009), p: 63-69.
