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Solid Waste - Environment Protection Department
Solid Waste - Environment Protection Department
Solid Waste
Solid waste includes solids or semisolids, non-soluble materials (including gases and liquids in containers) such as agricultural refuse,
demolition waste, industrial waste, mining residues, municipal garbage, and sewage sludge.
Types
Composition
The solid waste composition varies from region to region and time to time. There are following different types of solid waste:
Biodegradable waste i.e. could be decomposed naturally such as food and kitchen waste, green waste, paper, etc.
Recyclable material i.e. could be recycled again and again; such as paper, glass, bottles, cans, metals, certain plastics, fabrics, clothes,
batteries etc.
Inert waste i.e. not liable to decompose; such as construction and demolition waste, dirt, rocks, debris, etc.
Electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE); such as electrical appliances, TVs, computers, screens, etc.
Composite wastes; such as waste clothing, tetra packs, waste plastic, etc.
Domestic hazardous waste and toxic waste medication; such as paints, chemicals, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, spray cans, fertilizer and
pesticide containers, shoe polish, etc.
Problems
Solid waste generation in Pakistan ranges between 0.283 to 0.612 kg/capita/day and the waste generation growth rate is 2.4% per year. Solid
domestic waste is typically dumped on low-lying land. This land could be used for more productive purposes and potentially valuable
recyclable materials are lost.
Effects
The unavailability of proper disposal methods and resources for solid waste management results in various environmental and human health
hazard effects.
Health Hazards
Some common health hazards caused by solid waste are mentioned in the following:
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Dogs, cats and rats living around carry a variety of diseases including plague and flea born fever
Intestinal, parasitic and skin diseases are found in workers engaged in collecting refuse
Groundwater Pollution
The most serious problem is groundwater contamination. As water filters through any material, chemicals in the material may dissolve in the
water, a process called leaching. The resulting mixture is called leachate. As water percolates through Municipal Solid Waste, it makes a leachate
that consists of decomposing organic matter combined with iron, mercury, lead, zinc, and other metals from rusting cans, discarded batteries
and appliances. It may also contain paints, pesticides, cleaning fluids, newspaper inks, and other chemicals. Contaminated water can have a
serious impact on all living creatures including humans in an ecosystem.
Air Pollution
When waste is burnt heavy metals like lead, toxic gases, and smoke spread over residential areas. The wind also carries waste, dust and gases
caused by decomposition. Putrefaction of waste in sunlight during daytime results in bad smells and reduced visibility.
There is an urgent need to manage Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from the time it is created to its safe disposal. The public and local municipal
authorities need to work together. It is important to create awareness about the consequences of pollution so that people become conscious of
the need to deal with this problem.
Legislation
The country needs robust environmental laws for solid waste management and their efficient implementation:
Pakistan has responded to its environmental problems by developing laws, establishing government agencies and accepting technical
assistance from donors, including the World Bank. Despite this, the response remains fragmented and environmental institutions, laws, and
other initiatives do not solve the whole problem
Environmental legislation is still not immature in Pakistan, especially in comparison to the developed world. For example, there are no
National Quality Standards for Solid Waste Management (SWM)
Install Waste Disposal Facilities
There is lack of waste disposal facilities in the country. Currently, individuals dispose of wastes by throwing away plastic bags, wrappers, fruit
peels, cigarette butts, etc. in public places. Following must be a course of action to deal this issue:
Littering spreads pollution and ends up clogging drains and causing sanitation problems, this can be controlled by making roadside
dustbins or proper disposal of waste at home
If proper waste management is practiced, this waste could be converted into useful products
Reduce
The best way to reduce waste is not to produce it in the first place. Everyone should try to reduce his / her consumption of goods as much as
possible. For example, choose products with minimum packaging and instead of accepting plastic bags when shopping, use cloth / canvas
bags.
Reuse
Items should not just be thrown away after use if they can be used again. Items like glass jars, bottles, and plastic bags can be reused.
Recycle
Recycling results in creating new things from already used items. Almost 20-30 percent of MSW contains materials which could be recycled. For
instance:
Paper can be re-pulped and reprocessed into recycled paper, cardboard and other paper products
Broken glass can be crushed, re-melted and made into containers, some forms of plastic can be re-melted and fabricated into carpet fiber or
cloth
Food wastes and yard wastes can be composted to produce fertilizers and soil conditioners
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