Solid Waste Management: Problems, Solutions and Stakeholders

What is solid waste?
Any solid substance that has served its purpose or is no longer useful is considered to be waste. It
is essential that this solid waste is managed and disposed in an effective manner. Inability to do
so can create unsanitary conditions leading to increased levels of environmental pollution. This
solid waste can come from homes, factories, offices or public places. This includes solid garbage
which can be degradable or non-degradable. There are three kinds of solid wastes. These include
medicinal waste coming from hospitals, household waste or municipal waste consisting of
sanitation residue, demolition debris or other forms of waste from streets and industrial waste
which is hazardous in nature (Katiyar, 2016).
Solid waste can be created while cooking, defecating or cleaning. This waste comes from homes,
offices, industries, factory plants, hospitals, railway stations, airports and several recreational
places like movie theatres or amusement parks. The solid waste is slowly becoming an issue of
concern because a large amount of waste gets disposed on a daily basis and has a massively
adverse impact on individuals as well their environment.
Problems with solid waste
Solid waste needs to be disposed and managed in an efficient manner otherwise it can lead to an
unsanitary environment and environmental pollution. Solid waste disposal takes up costly and
valuable land rendering it useless (Kinnaman, 2017). Longer exposure to solid waste can reduce
fertility of the soil. This has a longer term impact on the economy as agriculture cannot take
place in these lands. Excessive exposure to solid waste can also render roads useless and create
problems for people.
Disposing solid waste on landfills also pollutes ground water. Solid waste can reach ground
water by seeping into the soil if it is not managed for a long time. Similarly, if this waste is found
near large water bodies then its direct interaction with sea or river water will further lead to water
pollution. Increased levels of pollution caused due to poor solid waste disposal can also lead to
the spread of several diseases. These diseases can be water borne or air borne. Ineffective
disposal of solid waste can also lead to excessive wastage of precious resources such as
aluminum and zinc.

Medicinal waste is also solid waste. The major problem associated with solid waste is that it is
largely harmful for health and may carry a lot of infections. Medicinal waste specifically is
harmful for human health as well as health of other organisms who may come in contact with the
waste. This waste must be essentially managed well in order to ensure that people do not fall ill.
Excessive use of plastic is a major source of solid waste. Plastic is non-degradable in nature.
Even when exposed to land or water, it does not degrade for several years. When plastic is burnt
it creates a pungent smoke which is highly injurious to health. Therefore, solid waste is harmful
for health of individuals as well as the environment at large.
Solid waste management
Solid waste management refers to the process of effective management of the solid waste by
collecting it and treating it in a manner that it no longer adversely impacts the environment.
Waste management is important in order to ensure that the waste does not cause harm to the
environment. The issue of solid waste has been creeping into the environment since a long time.
There are various techniques of solid waste management that can help in mitigating the issue.
Many years ago, solid waste disposed from homes or industries was disposed onto unpaved
streets and roadways. Over a period of time, new technology has made the process of waste
management much easier and less time consuming. Introduction of garbage grinders, compaction
trucks and pneumatic collection systems were significant advancements in the process of solid
waste management. After sometime, sanitary landfills were developed. Most governments have
also made it compulsory for people to separate degradable as well as non-degradable waste as
well as dry waste and wet waste into separate dustbins.
Waste management process has also become highly technological which has led to increased
efficiency and reduced debris from the process. There are specific dumping sites where solid
waste can be dumped. At such sites, degradable and recyclable waste is made useful again while
non-degradable waste is processed and eliminated in other forms.