Handling and Separation of Solid Waste

Handling and Separation of Solid Waste

Waste Handling

The handling activity associated with managing solid waste occurs until they are placed in the container used for storage before collection or return to drop-off and recycle centers.

Separation

The separation of solid waste components at the source of generation is a positive and effective way to achieve recovery, reuse, and material.

Before the Swachh Bharat mission, there was no proper handling or separation of waste conducted, and even storage was not available.

For household segregation, we need to have 3 different ways separation bins:

  • Green bin which will mainly store kitchen waste, yard waste, and recyclable containers.
  • Dry waste in a blue bin.
  • Domestic hazardous waste in a yellow bin.

Once the waste is segregated, it will be collected by the local corporation in a segregated manner for the treatment, recycling, or disposal process.

Importance of Waste Handling and Separation in Residential Areas

The classification for residential areas includes:

  • Low-rise buildings (under 4 stories)
  • Single-family detached
  • Single-family attached
  • Multi-family
  • Medium-rise buildings (4 to 7 floors)
  • High-rise buildings (over 7 floors)

Significant difficulties in solid waste handling operations for low-rise and medium-rise apartments are observed.

Low Rise Building (Dwelling): In some collection systems, mixed waste is placed in various storage containers with little standardization. Handling methods vary depending on waste storage location and collection method.

Solid waste storage locations include basement storage, door storage, and compactor storage.

High-rise Apartments

Bulky items are usually taken to the service area by the building maintenance crew.

Building maintenance personnel are responsible for handling the compressed waste and other waste or recyclable material that tenants bring to the service area.

In more recent apartment buildings, underground pneumatic transfer systems have been used, including individual chutes.