Solution to Problems of Solid Waste Management - APPSC G1 Mains - Paper 4

 84.Waste generation is a dynamic phenomenon depending upon change in products, processes, capacity of production and establishment of new industries. Hence there is a need to periodically update the national inventory on hazardous waste generation so as to facilitate decision making procedures with respect to strategies of hazardous waste management. .

85. Waste minimization, waste reduction and waste reuse needs to be attempted first to avoid waste accumulation. Dissemination of information on technological options to be a continuing exercise.

86. Clean technology norms for each industry should be defined so that less hazardous waste are generated and hence pollution caused is also reduced.

87. Possibilities must be explored with industrial associations/industries for options of reusing, recovering and recycling hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner.

88. Payback schemes should be introduced as a part of extended corporate responsibility in case of lead-acid batteries.

89. A system should be developed for channelising wastes containing toxic metals for recovery, such as mercury from thermometers and fluorescent tube lights, cadmium from batteries etc.

90. „Waste exchange Banks /Centers‟ should be established to provide information on wastes and promote reuse, recovery and recycling technologies which upscale the quality of resource recovery.

 

91. Technological aspects need to be promoted so as to conserve the fuel as well utilization of waste as resource.

92. Currently, only 12 states have 25 operating common hazardous waste facilities (TSDFs). In addition, 35 notified sites covering other states are at various stages of development. The gap could be filled as a top priority activity. State Governments to play a catalytic role for providing financial support matching the Central subsidy.

93. The issue of interstate movement of hazardous waste should be addressed in a rational way.

94. The TSDFs need to cater to meticulously delineated hazardous waste catchment areas taking into consideration their distances from the generators and availability of wastes. SPCBs could ensure that in a given hazardous waste catchment area, no multiple operating TSDFs exist to help maintain viability of the facilities.

95. TSDFs need to be rigorously evaluated by the SPCBs/PCCs periodically to ensure operation in an environmentally safe manner in compliance with the various provisions of regulations.

96. All TSDF operators should be asked to implement the provisions of Escrow Account as per the directive of MoEF to ensure that a separate Escrow fund is created for post closure monitoring and to deal with liability arising due to mishaps, calamities etc.

97. Surveillance of industries by CPCB/SPCB and industry associations should be stepped up to take care of illegal dumping.

98. Remediation strategy needs to focus on the „polluter pays principle‟ with the polluter being asked to pay penalty as well as costs of cleaning up the pollution. Industries causing pollution repeatedly should be blacklisted. Where polluters are not traceable, a dedicated fund needs to be created by SPCB/ PCC for remediation.

99. Harmonization of EXIM regulations with the provision of the Rules, training of Custom Department personnel engaged in inspection &  sampling and also up-gradation of Customs Department laboratories should be carried out to prevent illegal imports of hazardous waste.

100. In order to deal with inter-state transportation as well as disposal of hazardous wastes in a facility the following options should be considered :

- To have these processed wherever possible by the industry which supplied them;

- To appropriately incinerate either through dedicated incinerators of individual industries or through incinerators available with common facilities (TSDFs).

101. Adequate safety systems and procedures must be adopted during dismantling of ships and handling of hazardous wastes/ materials (such as used oil, waste oil, asbestos containing panels/ tiles, damaged asbestos containing material, paint chips, and used chemicals like acids etc.).

102. SPCBs/PCCs need to develop on-line tracking system for movement of hazardous waste from generation to the disposal/ recovery/ recycling stage.

103. SPCBs/ PCCs and CPCB to be strengthened in terms of manpower, equipment, instruments and other infrastructure facilities for effective enforcement of regulations. Central and State Governments should support SPCBs/ PCCs by periodically providing adequate funding, training and sponsoring awareness programmes.