- The total waste arising by 2021 from industries is expected to be around 101 million metric tons
- The type of investment in technology is more aimed at eliminating production costs instead of eliminating environmental impact
- There should be a collaboration between local authorities with the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board to improve efficiency
This World Cleanup Day, Machine Maker looked at on one of the most alarming problems, industrial solid waste generation. Industrialization and environmental pollution are interwoven, and striking a balance between the two is no easy task. In the journey towards self-reliance, one aims at focusing on the advancement of the country and often ends up neglecting the environment. However, to what extent is the cost of negligence bearable if we ultimately end up destroying what built us? Where on one side, development is essential and our ultimate goal, being considerate towards the environment is now more than ever, the need of the hour.
Effective Disposal of Waste from Industries
Reports indicate the statistics for the amount of waste arising by 2021 from industries is around 101 million metric tons (MMT). These startling rates are a result of several factors, primarily, lack of infrastructure facilities, negligence of industries, and lack of responsibility towards the environment that spreads across industries of all sizes ranging from small manufacturers to larger more organized units.
When it comes to the effective disposal of waste from industries, there are still several hurdles India is yet to cross. These further include lack of assigned spaces to dump scrap, lack of co-ordination between local bodies and higher authorities to devise well-defined plans, the convenience of letting waste into water bodies with no fear of punishment, and reliance on manual handling instead of proper and more advanced mechanical methods. These can be kept in control by employing two methods- reduction and recycling, alongside increased focus from authorities.
Management of Industrial Solid Waste by Authorities
One way of looking at this issue is through the lens of gaining external support. One of the major activities of the Environmental Ministry of India is prevention and control of pollution and it has let out several guidelines over the years on how to safely dispose of waste to minimize its environmental impact. However, our focus is the collaboration of local authorities along with important bodies such as the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board to improve efficiency.
Regulations against disposal into water bodies, as well as setting more stringent emission standards when it comes to harmful emissions, some changes that are required to be made at the higher level cannot be replaced by local individual efforts. These rules can help in elevating the overall standards of waste management.
In the case of small manufacturers, material waste is taken by the scrap dealers whereas packing materials are picked by the NMMC vehicles. We try our best to streamline our production and minimize wastage, however overall, the local authorities should take more charge towards providing efficiency if we want to see a drastic change in the entire picture.
Amit Mistry
Managing Director, Thermotech Industries
The True Meaning of ‘Self-Reliance’: Taking Control
On an individual level, taking action and acting responsibly in this situation can also make a huge difference. From the very first step that is, buying comparatively less toxic materials to using less packaging, industries can be instrumental in reducing packaging that would in itself decrease the amount of waste generated. Segregation of waste by isolating toxic constituents, liquid fraction, and non-hazardous wastes also help in curbing pollution at the source. Recycling is another relevant process that can be used in a country like India, where inter-industrially, the same component can have multiple uses.
For instance, an official from Nichrome India Pvt Ltd, a leading company that offers innovative packaging solutions, as well as packaging machines, told us: “Initially we did not have an elaborate waste management system, but often testing packing machines involves a lot of trial and error and results in waste generation. So now we have ourselves created a dedicated space to use as a scrap yard where we dump this scrap material, and we have tied up with a local village body that collects this weekly and recycles it. This helps in preventing it from being scattered all around.”
It can be said that in a developing country like India, the thrust on economic development is often given more attention. The type of investment in technology is more aimed at eliminating production costs instead of eliminating environmental impact. To achieve an equal focus on environment and industrialization is a more distant goal, but with what we currently have in our hands, we can take measures by using alternative methods that can be implied individually as well as at higher levels. With stricter policies, more individual awareness, and consideration towards the environment, each one can make a difference.
