Understanding Solid Waste Management for Industrial Applications

Why is Solid Waste Management Important?

The concept of waste management is relatively new, gaining momentum only in the latter half of the 20th century, primarily due to growing urbanization, industrialization, and environmental awareness. The most recent slate of policies highlights the importance of solid waste management, emphasizing the responsibilities of large enterprises in addressing the solid waste crisis, as they generate significant amounts of waste.

Although implementing a comprehensive solid waste management system is costly and time-consuming, companies that carry on with this type of waste management plan gain numerous benefits:

• Improved worker health and safety – Proper waste handling significantly enhances worker health and safety practices by providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), delivering targeted waste management-related training, and improving working conditions, especially for those exposed to hazardous wastes.
• Effective resource recovery – Efficient waste management doesn’t just reduce disposal fees and energy consumption; it can also generate revenue from recyclable materials. Recovering usable waste also saves the company a lot of money in the long term.
• Increased innovation – Streamlining waste-related processes through software solutions or smart solid waste management equipment results in product design improvements and new business opportunities. This can also boost their sustainability efforts and reduce their environmental footprint.
• Guaranteed compliance – Having a well-defined solid waste management plan standardizes generation to disposal practices that adhere to established regulations. It also fosters a culture of accountability, enabling companies to resolve potential issues promptly.
• Enhanced brand reputation – Companies that show a commitment to sustainability through the efficient management of solid waste are more likely to be supported and endorsed by a more environmentally conscious customer base.

The Australian Open, one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, generates tons of trash. With the help of one of the most top-rated software solutions, the event’s sustainability team continuously succeeds in maintaining cleanliness, protecting its people and spectators, and reducing its environmental footprint.

Classification of Solid Waste

Solid waste can be categorized based on various factors, including source, composition, and potential for reuse or recycling. Understanding these classifications helps EHS managers develop strategies to minimize their environmental impact.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Commonly known as household waste, trash, or garbage, MSWs come from households, businesses, schools, and public facilities. Collection, treatment, and disposal are handled by local government units or private waste management companies. Here are some examples:

• Food scraps
• Paper (newspapers, office paper, cardboard packaging)
• Plastics (bottles, single-use bags)
• Glass (jars, bottles)
• Metal (aluminum foil, tin cans, old electrical appliances)

Industrial Waste

Generated by manufacturing and other industrial activities, industrial waste includes materials no longer usable for production, such as metalworking, chemical manufacturing, or food processing. Because there’s a possibility that these are hazardous, industrial solid waste management requires special handling, storage, and disposal.

• Slag from metal processing
• Chemical by-products (antifreeze, used paint, old electrical batteries)
• Ash from incineration
• Construction and demolition waste (concrete, rubble, gypsum drywall)
• Crop residues (corn stalks, rice husks, corn stovers)

Hazardous Waste

This type of waste is potentially harmful to human health and the environment.   Generated by chemical manufacturing, healthcare facilities, laboratories, and automotive workshops, these toxic, corrosive, reactive, or flammable wastes are strictly regulated and should undergo special treatment or disposal.

• Chemical solvents
• Pesticides and their containers
• Chemical fertilizer packaging
• Lead acid and lithium-ion in batteries
• Medical waste (sharps, surgical gloves, biological waste)
• Materials that contain asbestos
• Animal manure

Process of Solid Waste Management

To successfully achieve the objectives of solid waste management, companies should follow the tried and tested process that isn’t only advocated by environmental experts but also specified in various regulations.

Step 1: Waste Generation

This is the beginning of the waste management process—where materials are considered unusable or no longer needed and discarded. Understanding the types of waste generated and production patterns aids in implementing effective strategies that minimize the volume of waste at the source.

Considered by many as the most effective way to reduce environmental impact, here are some best practices for industries:

• Design products with minimal packaging.
• Choose materials that are less harmful to the environment, such as recyclables or reusables.
• Adopt lean manufacturing processes, eliminating waste-generating steps and improving efficiency.

Step 2: Waste Storage and Segregation

This involves temporarily holding waste and designated containers before collection, processing, and disposal. Properly implementing this doesn’t just make the subsequent stages of the process more efficient. It also prevents contamination and reduces the risk of accidents.

• Use durable, easy-to-clean, and appropriate containers for waste.
• Clearly label containers to indicate the type of waste they hold.
• Use lids or covers to prevent odor and pests.
• Store these in a safe and accessible location, removed from potential hazards.
• Conduct solid waste management training for employees, focused on proper waste handling and segregation.

Step 3: Waste Collection and Transportation

The next step is the collection of waste and transportation to a solid waste management facility. Small to medium-sized businesses still rely on municipal collectors to handle this part. Large enterprises, particularly those in high-risk industries, should have equipment and facilities for these tasks.

For companies that handle their waste collection and transportation, here are some best practices:

• Establish consistent schedules to prevent waste accumulation.
• Optimize vehicle capacity and routes to reduce trips and lower fuel consumption.
• Regularly maintain vehicles used for collection.
• Collaborate with special waste transport services and facilities to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Utilize a digital solid waste management checklist to inspect storage bins, sorting processes, and collection protocols.

Step 4: Waste Processing and Treatment

Perhaps the most complicated step in the entire process, the treatment phase transforms waste into recoverable resources or a less hazardous version for safe disposal. Here are some examples:

• Recycling is the easiest way to convert waste materials into new products. Paper, glass, plastic, and metal are often salvaged and then reconditioned or repurposed into something useful.
• Composting is a natural process of breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich material. Organic matter, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, improves soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. It’s one of the best ways to process waste, especially in the agricultural sector.
• Biological methods, such as bioremediation and bioaugmentation, use microorganisms to degrade hazardous substances into less harmful compounds. It’s the perfect method for contaminated soil.
• Chemical treatment, such as neutralization, oxidation, and precipitation, alters the chemical composition of waste to lessen toxicity.
• Incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume or make it less hazardous. The heat generated can produce energy for other activities.

Step 5: Waste Disposal

Waste that can’t be recycled or reused is safely deposited in landfills or incinerated. Implementing safe disposal methods prevents environmental contamination and protects public health.

Here are some best practices for large enterprises managing industrial and hazardous waste:

• Choose locations away from sensitive ecosystems, such as low groundwater levels, to minimize the company’s environmental impact.
• Conduct comprehensive soil and geological studies to ensure site stability in chosen landfills.
• Install leachate and gas collection systems to prevent soil and water contamination, particularly when disposing of hazardous wastes.
• Continuously monitor landfill conditions to minimize risks in the area.
• Involve the community in solid waste management system planning and landfill operation so they can be prepared to handle emergencies.

There are numerous challenges in solid waste management, such as inadequate infrastructure, overburdened landfills, and lack of public awareness and participation in the efforts. These can be resolved by developing and strictly implementing a comprehensive plan that isn’t just compliant with regulations but also has environmental responsibility and sustainability at the core.