Waste Management BCLE215L PDF 2025-26

Waste Management Course Code - BCLE215L Dr. Monali Priyadarshini Assistant Professor School of Civil Engineering Center for Clean Environment Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Email id – [email protected] Winter Semester – 2025 - 26 Theory – C...

Waste Management Course Code - BCLE215L Dr. Monali Priyadarshini Assistant Professor School of Civil Engineering Center for Clean Environment Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Email id – [email protected] Winter Semester – 2025 - 26 Theory – C1+TC1 – GDN128 1  COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Understand the different sources of the waste. 2. Analyze the socio-economic and environmental factors for waste management. 3. Imply the shift of waste management in the closed loop approach. COURSE OUTCOMES 1. Understand the potential impacts of waste management. 2. Develop the environmental, social and economic framework towards sustainable development. 3. Apply sustainable development tools in regulating the waste management. 4. Implement life cycle analysis in waste management. 5. Involve in the concepts of closed loop approach and circular economy. 2  SYLLABUS Module: 1 Introduction to Waste Management 5 hours Perspective of waste generation–Sources, impacts, characteristics, segregation and disposal of waste-Linear economy –Urbanization and new challenges in waste management–Problems associated with the waste-Relevant Regulations. Module: 2 Municipal Solid Waste Management 7 hours Sources; composition; generation-Rates; collection of waste; separation-Transfer and transport of waste-Treatment and disposal options-Landfill-Bio-mining- Incineration-Biomedical waste-Source, generation and classification-Waste management and reduction techniques. Module: 3 Hazardous Waste Management 6 hours Characterization of waste-Compatibility and flammability of chemicals-Storage-Transport-Secured Landfills-Treatment techniques-Fundamental concepts on fate and transport of chemicals-Health effects. Module: 4 Radioactive Waste Management 6 hours Sources, measures and health effects-Nuclear power plants and fuel production-Waste generation from nuclear power plants–Low level and high level waste- Management-Radiation standard by ICRP and AERB-Regulatory framework. Module: 5 Wastewater Management 5 hours Sources and characteristics of wastewater–Primary wastewater treatment–Secondary wastewater treatment–Sludge treatment alternatives–Industrial wastewater treatment–Zero Liquid Discharge–Wastewater disposal methods. Module: 6 Emerging waste 9 hours Sources and Characteristics of Plastic waste, marine plastic waste, microplastic, E-waste, Agriculture waste, Glass waste, Metal waste, Oil and gas exploration and production of waste, Space waste, Construction material waste-Recycling non-biodegradable waste, Tyre recycling, End of life textiles, Recovery of value added products, Reuse of waste. Module: 7 Closed Loop Approach Towards Circular Economy 5 hours Introduction to the Circular Economy-Transition from Linear to Circular Economy-Closed loop supply chain–Integrated waste refinery-Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-Circular Economy policies towards Sustainable Development. Module: 8 Contemporary issues 2 hours 3 Text Book(s) 1. Salah M. El-Haggar, Sustainable Industrial Design and Waste Management Cradle-to-cradle for Sustainable Development, 2007, Elsevier Academic Press, USA. Reference Book(s) 1. Trevor M. Letcher and Daniel A. Vallero, Waste- A Handbook for Management, 2019, Second Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, USA. 2. Alexandros Stefanakis and Ioannis Nikolaou, Circular Economy and Sustainability Volume 2: Environmental Engineering, 2021, First Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, USA. 4  Course Assessment Configuration Assessment Title Due Date Max. Mark Weightage % Digital Assessment-1 - 10 10 Digital Assessment- - 10 10 2/Seminar Quiz - 10 10 CAT - 1 - 50 15 CAT - 2 - 50 15 FAT - 100 40 Total Weightage Mark 100 Quiz Module Quiz 1 Module 1, 2, and 3 Quiz 2 Module 4 and 5 Quiz 3 Module 6 and 7 5  Questions for brainstorming session 1. What are wastes? 2. Why to manage waste? 3. What are the three Rs of waste management? 4. What items can commonly be recycled at home? 5. What should you do with electronic waste, like old phones and computers? 6  Module 1: Introduction to Waste Management Definition of ‘waste’ Perspective of waste generation Sources, impacts, characteristics Segregation and disposal of waste Linear economy and circular economy Urbanization and new challenges in waste management Problems associated with the waste Relevant Regulations 7  What are ‘wastes’? "Wastes" refer to materials or substances that are discarded after fulfilling their intended function. These materials are often seen as having no further use and are thus thrown away. Perspective of waste generation  It is estimated that urban India generates approximately 0.15 million tonnes of waste per day. This figure reflects the cumulative waste produced by households, commercial establishments, institutions, and various urban activities.  The per capita waste generation rate in India has seen a notable increase over the years. In 2001, it was 0.44 kg/day, which rose to 0.5 kg/day by 2011. This upward trend indicates the growing consumption patterns and lifestyle changes among the urban population.  The waste generation rate in Indian cities varies significantly, ranging from 200 grams to 870 grams per person per day. Larger metropolitan cities tend to generate more waste per capita due to higher consumption levels and more affluent lifestyles compared to smaller towns and cities.  The per capita waste generation is increasing by about 1.3% per year in India. 8  Perspective of waste generation Three countries generate a lot more waste than any other European countries: Denmark (607 kg), Liechtenstein (769 kg) and Iceland (1,474 kg) https://landgeist.com/2022/08/16/waste-generation/ 9  Perspective of waste generation Solid waste generation in the United States of America has increased around three times over the past 50 years (USEPA, 2016). Trend of solid waste generation in the USA over past 50 years (adapted from Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report, 2016) 10  Factors Influencing Waste Generation: Economic Development: Higher economic growth improves living standards, leading to increased consumption of goods and services, and thus, more waste generation. Urbanization: Rapid urban growth concentrates populations in cities, resulting in larger volumes of waste. Lifestyle Changes: Modern lifestyles favor packaged goods, single-use plastics, and convenience items, significantly increasing waste. Location: Rural areas can reuse food waste for animal feed, whereas this is less practical in urban settings. 11  Classification M. K. Jhariya et al. (eds.), Sustainable Agriculture, Forest and Environmental Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978- 981-13-6830-1_14 12  Based on physical state: Basis of degrading nature:  Solid: unwanted or useless materials generated from Bio-Degradable combined residential, industrial and commercial activities  Any type of organic material that can be broken down by  Liquid: effluents of industries, fertilizer and pesticide natural processes involving microorganisms such as solutions from agricultural fields, leachate from landfills, bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers. urban runoff of untreated wastewater and mining wastes  These materials decompose into simpler substances like etc. water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, returning essential  Gaseous: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nutrients to the environment without causing pollution.  Ex - Food Waste, Garden Waste, Paper Product, Wood, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), animal Manure carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of sulphur (SOx) etc. Non-biodegradable  Any type of material that cannot be broken down by natural processes involving microorganisms.  These materials persist in the environment for long periods, often leading to pollution and environmental harm.  Unlike biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste does not decompose into harmless substances and thus requires specific disposal methods.  Ex – Plastics, Metals, Glass, E-waste 13  Basis of Environmental Impacts: Hazardous waste: Non-hazardous waste:  Waste materials that pose significant risks or  Waste is not dangerous but can still harm hazards to human health, animal health, or the environment if not managed properly. the environment. These wastes are classified  Appropriate disposal is necessary to according to the CRIT criteria: Corrosive, comply with environmental regulations. Reactive, Ignitable, or Toxic.  This type of waste includes household  Hazardous waste can be found in various waste, such as food scraps and bathroom settings, including: refuse, as well as corporate waste from Hospitals: Medical waste factories and farms. Laboratories: Chemical reagents, biological waste Automobile Garages: Motor oil, batteries Agriculture: Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer Water Treatment Plants: Sludge containing hazardous chemicals 14 Sources of wastes: 15  Characteristics of wastes: Hazardous Characteristics Hazardous characteristics pertain to the potential of waste to cause harm to human health or the environment. (1) Corrosivity: The ability of waste to corrode materials or tissue. Corrosive wastes, such as acids and alkalis, require careful handling and storage to prevent damage and injuries. (2) Reactivity: The tendency of waste to react chemically, sometimes explosively, with other substances. Reactive wastes include certain chemicals that can undergo violent reactions, posing safety risks during handling and disposal. (3) Ignitability: The propensity of waste to catch fire under certain conditions. Ignitable wastes, such as solvents and fuels, must be stored and transported to prevent accidental https://www.elkenv.com/articles/hazard fires. ous-waste-characteristics-an-overview/ (4) Toxicity: The presence of harmful substances that can cause health problems or environmental damage. Toxic wastes require specialized treatment to neutralize or contain the harmful components before disposal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NkqwMitQ8o 16  Waste Segregation  Waste segregation can be defined as the process of identifying, classifying, dividing and sorting of garbage and waste products in an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.  In order to segregate waste appropriately, it is important to correctly identify the type waste that is generated. For waste segregation at source, waste is identified and classified into the following categories depending on their biological, physical and chemical properties:  Dry Waste – Refers to all items that are not considered wet items. This includes both recyclable and non- recyclable materials. Dry waste includes items such as bottles, cans, clothing, plastic, wood, glass, metals and paper.  Wet Waste – Refers to all items that are organic like food items, soiled food wrappers, hygiene products, yard waste, tissues and paper towels, as well as any other soiled item that would contaminate the recyclables.  Sanitary Waste – Refers to all liquid or solid waste originating solely from humans and human activities. (Can also include items from medical waste)  E-Waste – Refers to all kinds of electronic waste.  Hazardous Waste – Refers to all items, products and by-products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients. 17 Color Code Buckets for Waste Segregation Type of Waste Color of Bin Wet waste Green Dry Waste (Paper, Blue cardboard) Dry Waste (Plastic) Yellow Sanitary Waste Red E-Waste Black or Grey 18  Significance of Waste Segregation 1. Requirement of Law: In many places, waste segregation is mandated by law. This is because proper waste management is crucial for public health and environmental protection. Segregating waste streams ensures they are handled safely and efficiently according to regulations. 2. Reduces the Cost of Collection: When waste is already sorted, it saves time and resources during collection. Trucks don't need to spend extra time sorting through mixed waste, which reduces fuel consumption and manpower needed. This translates to lower collection costs for municipalities and waste management companies. 3. Enhances Material Recovery and Energy Conversion: Segregation allows for efficient recycling of materials like paper, plastic, and metal. These materials can be reprocessed into new products, reducing our reliance on virgin resources. Organic waste can also be composted to create nutrient-rich soil or converted into biogas, a renewable energy source. 4. Reduced Landfill Impact: Landfills are overflowing, and improper waste disposal can lead to environmental problems like soil and water contamination. Segregation diverts recyclable and compostable materials from landfills, reducing the strain on landfills and extending their lifespan. 5. Resource Conservation: Manufacturing new products from scratch requires extracting raw materials. By effectively recycling materials through segregation, we conserve natural resources like trees (for paper), metals, and fossil fuels (for plastics). This reduces our environmental footprint and promotes sustainability. 19 Disposal of Waste 20 1. Landfilling: Process: Landfills are engineered sites designed to isolate waste from the environment. Landfills have liners to prevent contamination of groundwater and are capped to minimize odor and gas emissions. Waste is compacted and layered with soil to reduce its volume.  Pros: Landfills can handle a wide variety of waste types. They are a relatively inexpensive disposal option, especially in regions with limited recycling infrastructure.  Cons: Landfills take up valuable land space and can have long-term environmental impacts if not properly managed. Landfills also generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from decomposing organic matter. 2. Incineration: Process: Incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures, significantly reducing its volume. The heat generated can be captured to produce electricity (waste-to-energy).  Pros: Incineration can effectively reduce waste volume and generate energy. It can also destroy harmful pathogens and toxins in certain types of waste.  Cons: Incineration produces air pollution, including fine particles and harmful gases. Proper pollution control equipment is crucial to minimize these impacts. Additionally, incineration doesn't eliminate waste; it concentrates it into ash, which still needs disposal. 3. Composting: Process: Composting is a natural process that breaks down organic waste materials like food scraps and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich soil amendment. Composting can be done in backyard bins or large-scale facilities. 21  Pros: Composting diverts organic waste from landfills, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and creates a valuable fertilizer for gardens and landscaping.  Cons: Composting is not suitable for all organic materials, and it requires proper management to control odors and prevent 4. Recycling: Process: Recycling involves collecting and processing specific waste materials (paper, plastic, metal, glass) into new products. This reduces our reliance on virgin resources and decreases landfill use.  Pros: Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption compared to virgin material production, and creates a market for recycled goods.  Cons: The effectiveness of recycling depends on infrastructure, sorting technologies, and consumer behavior. Not all materials can be recycled efficiently, and contamination can render recyclables unusable. 5. Waste-to-Energy Technologies: Process: These are advanced methods that convert waste into usable energy forms like electricity, fuel, or heat. Examples include gasification, where waste is converted into a synthetic gas, and plasma gasification, which uses high-temperature plasma to break down waste into usable components.  Pros: Waste-to-energy technologies can divert waste from landfills and generate clean energy.  Cons: These technologies are still under development and can be expensive to implement. There are also concerns about potential air and water pollution emissions. 22  Linear economy and circular economy Disadvantages of the linear economy  Pollution  Negative environmental impacts  Mass production of products  Economic losses among companies  Depletion or exhaustion of natural systems and reserves  Increased regulation  Increase in economic costs due to waste management and treatment (Source: Circular Economy Policies of Some Asian Countries and Recommendations for Vietnam, 2021) 23  Linear economy Circular economy  The linear economy operates under a conventional  The circular economy is a system where products and business model where products are purchased, used, materials are reused, repaired, and recycled to reduce and ultimately thrown away. It follows a “take-make- waste and lessen the impact on the environment and waste” pattern without consideration for recycling or society. reuse.  The circular business model focuses on extending the  Resources are taken from their source and life cycle of products while maintaining or improving manufactured into consumable products. The their value. Resources are utilised efficiently, focusing on residuals of this consumption later accumulate in sharing, leasing, and repairing products rather than landfills or are incinerated. throwing them away after a single use.  The process in which the linear economy deals with  The core principles of circular economy are the 4R raw materials puts pressure on scarce resources and imperatives: reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover. has little concern for environmental and social Producing more durable products that are easier to impact. Businesses maximize production and repair and recycle opens up new business opportunities consumption for profit, leaving many economic and and fosters innovation. growth opportunities untapped.  The circular economy brings together environmental,  In a world with finite resources, infinite growth is economic, and social factors to build a more sustainable unsustainable. Unchecked consumption could soon world. By rethinking our consumption patterns and lead to reduced food production, population decline, embracing circular practices, progress can be made and industry collapse. towards a future where waste is minimized and resources are preserved. 24 Circular pattern of use of natural resources 25 Circular economy – distinguishing two types of materials Refer: Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Towards the Circular Economy -vol.1 https://youtu.be/NBEvJwTxs4w 26 Various options for technical materials before recycling 27 Cascading of biological materials 28  Cascading of biological materials Cascading of biological materials refers to the concept of using biological materials (biomass) in a series of steps, maximizing their value and minimizing waste. The cascading hierarchy outlines the preferred order for utilizing biological materials: 1. Direct Use: This involves using the material in its natural form for its intended purpose. Examples include using wood for construction or consuming fruits and vegetables directly. 2. Material Recycling: Here, the material is processed and converted into a new product while maintaining its basic structure. Examples include recycling paper into new paper products or turning used cooking oil into biodiesel. 3. Chemical Recycling: This breaks down the material into its chemical components, which can be used to create new products with different structures. This is a developing field with potential for various waste streams. Example include used bioplastic bottles can be broken down into monomers to create new bio- based bottles or other products and Food waste can be chemically broken down into sugars that can be fermented to produce biofuels. 4. Energy Recovery: When the material reaches the end of its useful life in other applications, it can be used for energy generation through processes like anaerobic digestion (producing biogas) or combustion (generating heat or electricity). 29  Functional elements of the solid waste management system A typical waste management system in a low- or middle-income country includes the following elements:  Waste generation and storage  Segregation, reuse, and recycling at the household level  Primary waste collection and transport to a transfer station or community bin  Management of the transfer station or community bin  Secondary collection and transport to the waste disposal site  Waste disposal in landfills 30  Challenges in waste management  Limited Financial Resources and Capacity: Insufficient funding restricts investment in waste management infrastructure, technologies, and operations.  Limited Access to and Technical Knowledge of Equipment: Inadequate access to modern equipment and a lack of understanding of its operation hinder efficient waste management.  Limited Technical Expertise and Awareness of Best Practices: A shortage of skilled personnel and knowledge of sustainable waste management practices limits effectiveness.  Limited Staff Capacity: Insufficient workforce and inadequate training reduce the ability to manage and operate waste systems efficiently.  Lack of Planning and Evaluation: Poorly defined strategies and a lack of monitoring mechanisms impede progress and performance evaluation. 31  Challenges in waste management  Limited or Lack of Vertical and Horizontal Government Coordination: Weak collaboration between different levels of government (local, regional, national) and across departments leads to fragmented efforts.  Limited or Lack of Communication with Relevant Stakeholders: Poor engagement with communities, private sectors, and other stakeholders reduces support for waste management initiatives.  Limited Available Land: Scarcity of suitable land for waste disposal sites, especially in urban areas, poses a significant challenge.  Climatologic, Geographic, and Topographic Constraints: Environmental factors, such as extreme weather, difficult terrain, or geographical limitations, hinder waste management operations.  Cultural Norms: Local customs, behaviors, and attitudes toward waste disposal and recycling can impact the adoption of sustainable practices. 32  Waste management hierarchy  The solid waste management hierarchy illustrates the preferred order for managing waste to minimize its environmental impacts.  The most important steps are to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost.  The next step is to recover which refers to the recovery of energy and additional metals from residential garbage.  Disposing waste into landfill is the least desirable option for managing waste. 33  Importance of Hierarchy of Solid Waste Management Approaches  A solid waste management hierarchy outlines the most environmentally friendly steps to take before disposing of waste in a dumpsite or landfill.  The first and most preferred step in the hierarchy, source reduction and reuse, focuses on preventing waste from being generated.  When waste is reduced or reused at the source, fewer raw materials are needed and less waste needs to be collected, transported, and disposed of.  This reduction in extractive processes leads to both environmental benefits and cost savings throughout the life of a product.  For waste that cannot be reduced or reused at the source, recycling or composting is the next best option.  Recycling or composting produces environmental benefits and cost savings similar to source reduction and reuse, but requires upfront investment costs to put an effective recycling or composting program in place.  Source reduction and recycling strategies both help to reduce the amount of waste that might ultimately enter the environment, including waterbodies and marine litter.  Energy recovery can be considered for waste that is not recyclable or compostable.  Energy recovery reduces the amount of waste that ultimately ends up in landfills and dumpsites, and offsets the need for fossil fuel use.  Energy recovery from waste can result in air pollution emissions and require significant investment and operational costs. 34  Waste management and sustainability  Waste management is inextricably linked to economy, as waste is defined by its relative economic value  Waste management is likewise linked to ecology, as, left on its own waste is likely to affect the environment.  Waste management is a social issue, as waste is mainly a social construct (what is perceived as waste depends to a large part on life-style and social rank) and it raises the questions about the responsibilities of individuals towards society. 35  Three pillars of sustainability Sustainability is defined as meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It is built on three main pillars: 1. Economic Sustainability (Profits): Ensuring economic growth and stability without depleting resources or harming the environment. 2. Environmental Sustainability (Planet): Protecting and conserving natural resources to maintain ecological balance for future generations. 3. Social Sustainability (People): Promoting equity, well-being, and quality of life within communities. These pillars—people, planet, and profits—are interconnected and essential for achieving long-term sustainability. 36  Problems associated with the waste Environmental Problems: Pollution: 1. Air Pollution: Incineration of waste can release harmful gases such as dioxins, furans, and greenhouse gases. 2. Water Pollution: Leachate from landfills can contaminate groundwater and surface water, affecting ecosystems and drinking water supplies. 3. Soil Pollution: Hazardous chemicals from waste can seep into the soil, degrading its quality and harming plant life. Habitat Destruction: 1. Landfills and waste dumps occupy large areas of land, destroying natural habitats and biodiversity. 2. Marine pollution from plastic waste endangers aquatic life and disrupts marine ecosystems. Health Problems: 1. Human Health Risks: 1. Exposure to hazardous waste can lead to respiratory problems, skin infections, and other health issues. 2. Communities living near waste disposal sites are at higher risk of diseases due to pollution. 2. Vector-Borne Diseases: 1. Accumulated waste can attract pests such as rats, mosquitoes, and flies, which can spread diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and leptospirosis. 37  Problems associated with the waste Economic Problems: High Costs: 1. Managing and disposing of waste requires significant financial resources. This includes costs for collection, transportation, treatment, and landfill maintenance. 2. Inefficient waste management systems can strain public budgets and divert funds from other essential services. Resource Depletion: 1. Valuable materials that could be recycled or reused are often lost in landfills, leading to the depletion of natural resources. 2. The extraction and processing of new raw materials to replace wasted resources consume additional energy and money. Social Problems: Community Impact: 1. Waste disposal sites can reduce the quality of life for nearby residents due to foul odors, noise, and visual pollution. 2. Property values may decrease in areas close to waste disposal sites, affecting local economies. Inequitable Waste Management: 1. Low-income and marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by inadequate waste management practices and are more likely to live near waste disposal sites. 38  East Delhi's Ghazipur garbage Matuail landfill, Dhaka, Bangladesh Landfill waste dumping site Established: 1984 Established in 1995 as the first sanitary landfill in East Delhi's Ghazipur garbage dump now almost as Bangladesh tall as Qutub Minar  Over capacity: Reached its maximum capacity, but waste dumping continues. https://www.youtube.com  Emits toxic gases like methane, contributing to air pollution and climate change. /watch?v=EUQ0FxzvK9o  Potential for ground and water contamination from decomposing waste.  Frequent fires pose health and safety risks.  Residents in nearby areas may suffer respiratory problems due to air pollution from the landfill.  Efforts to clear the landfill haven't been successful.  Plans for alternative waste management solutions or remediation are ongoing, but progress seems slow. 39  Bhopal disaster or Bhopal gas tragedy Surat plague  Bhopal disaster or Bhopal gas tragedy was a chemical accident on  The Surat plague of 1994 is a prime example of how the night of 2–3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited improper solid waste management can contribute to a (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. plague outbreak in India.  Leak of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) from the storage tank of UCIL plant  Heaps of uncollected waste provided a breeding  The long-term health effects of MIC exposure are still being felt ground for a large rat population. today.  These rats became carriers of the plague bacteria,  Many survivors suffer from chronic respiratory problems, birth creating a potential reservoir for transmission. defects, and other health issues.  The contaminated soil and water continue to pose health risks. 40  Environmental Regulations Why it is necessary? Reduce Pollution Conserve Natural Resources Promote Sustainable Development Ensure a Healthier Environment for Future Generations 41 https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-rules-and-regulations.html 42  Environmental Regulations  In India, waste management takes place at multiple tiers; at the level of urban local bodies (ULBs), State government and the Central government.  ULB is the primary implementing body responsible for taking all actions at the field level.  The Central and State governments play supporting role at policy-making level and financing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01444-3 43  Legislative body related to Environment in India  Department of Environment was established in India in 1980 to ensure a healthy environment for the country. This later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985.  The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government for planning, promotion, coordination and overseeing the implementation of India’s environmental and forestry policies and programmes. Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country’s natural resources including its lakes, rivers, biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution. The broad objectives of the Ministry are:  Prevention and control of pollution;  Protection of the environment; and  Ensuring the welfare of plants & animals 44  Functions of MoEF, Govt. of India Functions of Central Pollution Control Board 1. Environmental Policy Planning and Research. 1. Advise the Central Government on matters relating to pollution 2. Implementing legislation and 2. Coordinate the activities of the State Boards; monitor/control pollution. 3. Provide Technical assistance to the State Boards, 3. Environmental clearance for projects carry out and sponsor investigations and 4. Promotion of environmental education, research relating to control of pollution training and awareness 4. Plan and organize training of personnel 5. Forest Conservation, development and wild 5. Collect, compile and publish technical and life protection statistical data, prepare manuals and code of conduct. 6. Bio-sphere Reserve Program 6. To lay down standards 7. Co-ordination with concerned National and 7. To plan nation wide program for pollution International Agencies. control. 45  Difference between Act and Rules Act Rules  A law passed by the legislature that provides a  Detailed guidelines formulated to implement the broad framework. Act.  Establishes the main legal provisions and  Specifies the procedures and steps to enforce the objectives. Act.  Created by the legislature  Drafted and issued by the government or relevant (Parliament/Assembly). authority.  Broad in nature.  Narrow, focusing on implementation and  Requires approval from the legislature to execution. amend.  Can be modified more easily by the government.  Example: Environmental Protection Act, 1986.  Example: Environmental Protection Rules, 1986. 46  Rules & Regulations  Regulations are more rigid in nature than rules.  Regulations have a force of law as these are the orders passed by an executive authority on the conduct of any legislation.  The regulations are legally binding, whereas rules are not.  Regulations are not passed before the houses of parliament but are required to be published in the Government Gazette to become legal.  The laws are passed, however, the regulations are in charge to ensure and enforce the laws.  Rules can be sent by any individual or organizations but regulations are set by the government.  Where the rules are conditional and circumstantial the regulations are always as per the Act. 47 48  List of the environmental legislations  1986 - The Environment (Protection) Act authorizes the central government to protect and improve environmental quality, control and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit or restrict the setting and /or operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds as per The Environment (Protection) Rules (1986).  1997 - The National Environment Appellate Authority Act was established to handle appeals regarding restrictions on industrial areas and activities, with certain safeguards under the EPA.  1999 - The Environment (Siting for Industrial Projects) Rules, 1999 lay down detailed provisions relating to areas to be avoided for siting of industries, precautionary measures to be taken for site selecting as also the aspects of environmental protection which should have been incorporated during the implementation of the industrial development projects.  2000 - The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules have been laid down for the regulation of production and consumption of ozone depleting substances.  2001 - The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 rules shall apply to every manufacturer, importer, re-conditioner, assembler, dealer, auctioneer, consumer, and bulk consumer involved in the manufacture, processing, sale, purchase, and use of batteries or components so as to regulate and ensure the environmentally safe disposal of used batteries. 49  List of the environmental legislations Pollution and Management  1974 - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act establishes an institutional structure for preventing and abating water pollution. It establishes standards for water quality and effluent. Polluting industries must seek permission to discharge waste into effluent bodies. The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) was constituted under this act.  1987 – The Factories Act and Amendment was the first to express concern for the working environment of the workers. The amendment of 1987 has sharpened its environmental focus and expanded its application to hazardous processes.  1982 - The Atomic Energy Act deals with the radioactive waste.  1989 - The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules is to control the generation, collection, treatment, import, storage, and handling of hazardous waste. 50  List of the environmental legislations Solid and Hazardous Waste  1989 - The Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Rules define the terms used in this context, and sets up an authority to inspect, once a year, the industrial activity connected with hazardous chemicals and isolated storage facilities.  1989 - The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of hazardous Micro-organisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules were introduced with a view to protect the environment, nature, and health, in connection with the application of gene technology and microorganisms.  1991 - The Public Liability Insurance Act was drawn up to provide for public liability insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief to the persons affected by accident while handling any hazardous substance.  1995 - The National Environmental Tribunal Act has been created to award compensation for damages to persons, property, and the environment arising from any activity involving hazardous substances.  1996 - The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules providing administrative structure at different levels (central, state, district and local) for effective planning, preparedness and response to chemical accidents. 51  List of the environmental legislations  1998 - The Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules is a legal binding on the health care institutions to streamline the process of proper handling of hospital waste such as segregation, disposal, collection, and treatment.  1999 – The Recycled Plastic Manufacture and Usage Rules to regulate the manufacture, sale and use and recycling of plastic bags. These rules, inter alia, provided that plastic carry bags should have a minimum thickness of 20 microns; carry bags or containers made of recycled plastic shall not be used for packaging of food stuffs and recycling of plastic waste in accordance with BIS specifications.  2000 - The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 apply to every municipal authority responsible for the collection, segregation, storage, transportation, processing, and disposal of municipal solid wastes.  2008 - Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary) Rules brought out a guide for manufacture, storage and import of hazardous chemicals and for management of hazardous wastes. 52  List of the environmental legislations  2011 - E - Waste (Management and Handling) Rules have been notified primarily to reduce the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment by specifying threshold for use of hazardous material and to channelize the e-waste generated in the country for environmentally sound recycling. The Rules apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer, collection centre, dismantler and recycler of e-waste involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment or components as detailed in the Rules.  2016 - Plastics Waste Management Rules: Increase minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns and stipulate minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets also to facilitate collection and recycle of plastic waste. 53  Issues related to waste management Regulations In effective enforcement: In some regions, regulations might be lacking proper enforcement mechanisms, leading to non-compliance and irresponsible waste disposal practices. Outdated regulations: Regulations might not keep pace with the evolving nature of waste streams, particularly with the rise of new materials and e-waste. Complexity and ambiguity: Regulations can be overly complex or unclearly formulated, leading to confusion and difficulties in interpretation and implementation. Unequal implementation: The burden of compliance might fall disproportionately on smaller waste generators compared to larger industrial facilities. Limited resources: Enforcing agencies might lack the resources, personnel, or technology to effectively monitor compliance across vast areas. 54