ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

2.2. SOURCE REDUCTION AND ONSITE STORAGE METHOD

Source reduction of waste:
Source reduction, also known as waste prevention, is an approach that precedes
waste management and addresses how products are manufactured and, purchased. Put
differently, this refers to the activities that reduce the amount of waste generated at source
as well as activities that involve any change in the design, manufacture, purchase or usage
of materials/products to reduce their volume and/or toxicity, before they become part of
the solid waste stream. Reducing waste before it is generated is a logical way to save
costs and natural resources, and preserve the local environment. For instance, waste
reduction cuts the municipal and commercial costs involved in waste collection and
disposal, and improves the productivity by targeting wasteful processes and products.
Purpose:
Source reduction can serve several purposes, including the following:
(i) Product reuse: Using reusable products, instead of their disposal equivalents,
reduce the amount of materials that are to be managed as wastes. An example
of product reuse is the reusable shopping bag.
(ii) Material volume reduction: Reducing the volume of material used changes the
amount of waste entering the waste stream. This helps in controlling the waste
generated and its disposal. For example, buying in bulk or using large food
containers reduces the amount of packaging waste generated.
(iii) Toxicity reduction: Source reduction reduces the amount of toxic constituents
in products entering the waste stream and reduces the adverse environmental
impacts of recycling or other waste management activities. For example,
substitution of lead and cadmium in inks (solvent-based to water based) and
paints is a source reduction activity.
(iv) Increased product lifetime: Source reduction facilitates the use of products
with longer lifetime over short-lived alternatives that are designed to be
discarded at the end of their useful lives. Put differently, it encourages a product
design that allows for repair and continued use rather than disposal.
Manufacturing long-life tyres is a good example of increasing product lifetime.

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(v) Decreased consumption: This refers to the reduced consumption of materials

that are not reusable (e.g., using a reusable shopping bag instead of picking up
plastic bags from the store). Consumer education about the materials that are
difficult to dispose of or are harmful to the environment is essential. Buying
practices can thus be altered (e.g., buying in bulk) to reflect environmental
consciousness. The four main advantages of source reduction are Reduction in
extent of environmental impacts, Reduction in resource consumption and
generation of pollution, It includes producer, consumer, prudent and efficient
activities.
On-site storage methods – Effect of storage, materials used for containers
Aesthetics, land use, health, water pollution, air pollution, and economic
considerations make proper solid waste storage, collection and disposal of solid wastes
(municipal and individual) functions that must be taken seriously. Indiscriminate
dumping of solid waste and failure of the collection system in a populated community
would soon cause many health problems. Odors, flies, rats, roaches, crickets,
wandering dogs and cats, and fires would dispel any remaining doubts of the
importance of proper solid waste storage, collection and disposal.
On-Site Handling, Storage and Processing of Solid Waste.
A. On-Site Handling
On-site handling methods and principles involve public attitude and individual
belief, and ultimately affects the public health. It is an activity associated with the
handling of solid waste until it is placed in the containers used for its storage before
collection. This may take place at any time before, during or after storage.
Importance of on-site handling of solid waste:
reduce volume of waste generated
alter physical form
recover usable materials
On- site handling methods:
sorting
shredding
grinding

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composting
Factors that should be considered in evaluation of onsite
processing include capabilities, reliability, environmental effects, ease of operation,
etc.
B. On- Site Storage
The first phase to manage solid waste is at home level. It requires temporary
storage of refuse on the premises. The individual householder or businessman has
responsibility for onsite storage of solid waste.
For individual homes, industries, and other commercial centers, proper on-site storage
of solid waste is the beginning of disposal, because unkempt or simple dumps
are sources of nuisance, flies, smells and other hazards. There are four factors that
should be considered in the onsite storage of solid waste. These are the type of container
to be used, the location where the containers are to be kept, public health, and the
collection method and time.
1. Storage containers:
Garbage and refuse generated in kitchens and other work areas should be
collected and stored in properly designed and constructed water-proof garbage
cans (waste bins). The cans or receptacles can be constructed from galvanized iron
sheet or plastic materials. They should have tightly fitting covers. They must be of
such size that, when full, they can be lifted easily by one man. They should be located
in a cool place on platforms at least 30 centimeters above ground level. After
putting in garbage, they should be kept covered. The bins must be emptied at least
daily and maintained in clean conditions. A typical example of garbage can,
constructed from galvanized iron sheet, dimensions: diameter 45 cm and height 75
cm, is shown in figure 1 below. An adequate number of suitable containers
should be provided with proper platforms with receptacles stand. The number may
depend on the amount, type and establishments where the need arises. Suitable
containers should be watertight, rust - resistant, with tight-fitting covers, fire-resistant,
adequate in size, light in weight, with side handles and washable.

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Figure. Typical Garbage Can with Tightly Fitting Cover

Source: Gabre-Emanuel Teka (1997): Solid Waste Disposal From
Food Premises; In Food Hygiene
2. Container Size(capacity)
Consideration should be given for the size of the loaded container that must
be hauled to the collection vehicle or to the disposal site. Therefore, container size
for:- (viii) ash: up to 80 to 128 liters (ix) mixed refuse: should not exceed 120 to
128 liters (x) rubbish up to 200 liters (xi) kitchen waste is 40 liters (xii)
garbage is 48 to 80 liters
Plastic liners for cans and wrapping for garbage reduce the need for cleaning of
cans and bulk containers, and keep down odors, rat and fly breeding.
Galvanized metal is preferable for garbage storage because it is resistant to corrosion.
Plastic cans are light in weight but are easily gnawed by rats. Bulk containers
are recommended where large volumes of refuse are generated, such as at
hotels, restaurants, apartment houses, and shopping centers. A concrete platform
provided with a drain to an approved sewer with a water faucet at the site facilitates
cleaning.
On- site processing
Importance of on-site processing:
 reduces volume of waste generated
 alters physical form
 recovers usable materials

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Factors that should be considered in evaluating on-site processing are

capabilities, reliability, environmental effects, ease of operation, etc. Waste storage
encompasses proper containers to store wastes and efficient transport of wastes without
any spillage to transfer stations/disposal sites.
Containers/storage bins
The design of an efficient waste collection system requires careful co nsideration
of the type, size and location of containers at the point of generation for storage of wastes
until they are collected. While single-family households generally use small
containers, residential units, commercial units, institutions and industries require large
containers. Smaller containers are usually handled manually whereas the larger,
heavier ones require mechanical handling. The containers may fall under either of the
following two categories:

(i) Stationary containers: These are used for contents to be transferred to

collection vehicles at the site of storage.

(ii) Hauled containers: These are used for contents to be directly transferred
to a processing plant, transfer station or disposal site for emptying before being
returned to the storage site.The desirable characteristics of a well-designed container
are low cost, size, weight, shape, resistance corrosion, water tightness, strength and
durability (Phelps, et al.,1995).

For example, a container for manual handling by one person should not weigh more
than 20 kg, lest it may lead to occupational health hazards such as muscular
strain, etc. Containers that weigh more than 20 kg, when full, require two or more crew
members to manually load and unload the wastes, and which result in low collection
efficiency. Containers should not have rough or sharp edges, and preferably have a
handle and a wheel to facilitate mobility.

They should be covered to prevent rainwater from entering (which increases

the weight and rate of decomposition of organic materials) into the solid wastes.
The container body must be strong enough to resist and discourage stray animals and

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scavengers from ripping it as well as withstand rough handling by the collection

crew and mechanical loading equipment.

Containers should be provided with a lifting bar, compatible with the hoisting
mechanism of the vehicle. The material used should be light, recyclable, easily
molded and the surface must be smooth and resistant to corrosion. On the
one hand, steel and ferrous containers are heavy and subject to corrosion; the
rust peels off exposing sharp edges, which could be hazardous to the collection crew.
On the other, wooden containers (e.g., bamboo, rattan and wooden baskets)
readily absorb and retain moisture and their surfaces are generally rough, irregular
and difficult to clean.

EN8591 MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANGEMENT