ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF ‘BRIQUETTING PLANT AND BRIQUETTES'

Abstract

Brick Kilns and crop residue firing are the two common sources of air, water, and soil pollution in rural India. Brick kilns emit huge carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), black carbon, particulate matter (PM) while crop residue firing resulting in heat penetration of 1 cm into the soil and temperature elevations of up to 33.8-42.2 °C which kills the bacterial and fungal populations critical for fertile soil. These substances & harmful gases contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The aim of this study was to understand environmental, social and economic impacts of ‘briquetting plant & briquettes’. The results show that crop residue conversion into briquettes and use of these briquettes into brick kilns helped to reduce the carbon footprint and other harmful greenhouse gases by reducing CO2 emissions by 8.22 million kg, CO emissions by 0.34 million kg, NOx emissions by 0.028 million kg, SO2 emissions by 0.007 million kg, and particulate matter emissions by 0.065 million kg. It has also increased the farmer’s average income by 11.81%, briquette manufacturers earned 35% net profit, the brick kiln reduced labor costs by 13%, increased brick production by 8%, and overall earnings of brick kiln increased by 18%.