Chapter 12 - Remedial technologies for future waste management

Abstract

There has been a tremendous increase in waste generation with time, causing a major concern for environmental protection. Several policies are being framed for the evaluation and control of these wastes, but the problem remains unsolved. All types of waste generated have the potential to harm the health of the ecosystem. Developing countries are the most affected by this waste generation because, as growing economies, they have difficulty properly controlling the waste. Thus, the current objective of all nations is to minimize the generation of waste by following proper waste management and remediation protocols. An effective waste management strategy involves adequate characterization for waste based on chemical composition and other parameters, assessment of sources and exposure, evaluation of waste disposal sites such as topographical and geological conditions, and the best suitable technology for its handling and removal. The first priority is to reduce the volume of waste generated. That is followed by recovery and use of important materials from the waste, then converting it into either energy or some form of useful product. Waste remediation technologies provide hope in this regard because different techniques have been developed for the treatment of different types of generated waste. The proper mitigation of waste from the source before it enters the environment is very important. The United Nations has set different guidelines for the appropriate management of waste and have classified waste into agricultural waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, and municipal solid waste. The other emerging category of waste is electronic waste or e-waste, which has seen a tremendous rise that will continue. Remedial technologies focus on the removal of contaminants from soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediments. The technology can be physical remediation, chemical remediation, or biological remediation depending on the type of contaminant. Due to a lot of industrial activity and municipal solid waste, soil remediation technologies require a longer duration and can be in situ, onsite, or ex situ. All parameters such as cost, process feasibility, and duration should be appropriately analyzed before selecting a technique or combination of methods. The hybrid technique usually comprises physical/chemical, chemical/biological, or biological/physical processes to increase the overall effectiveness of waste remediation. Nanotechnology has also emerged as a new technology for waste remediation. Because of their high surface area and high activity, nanomaterials possess remarkable properties that help in the effective abatement of waste. Magnetic nanoparticles are found to be very useful the separation of heavy metals and do not lose their activity, even after several cycles.