Review of the Existing Organic Waste Management Situation in Kerala

Abstract

In India, the rapid economic development has resulted in a change in the lifestyle of urban dwellers, which has changed the composition of the waste generated. Due to the high volume of waste generated, the collection, transportation, and disposal stream requires a highly efficient system. It requires knowledge of what the wastes are comprised of, how they need to be collected and disposed of, and the participation of citizens, local governments, and private entrepreneurs. With the vision to transform Kerala into a garbagefree state and achieve full-scale environmental health, Kerala has notified the principle of 3Rs in the State Policy on Solid Waste Management. As per Suchitwa Mission annual report 2019-2020, in the year 2019-2020 Kerala has generated 10,044 TPD of Municipal Solid Waste. With a population growth rate of approximately 10.24%, Kerala could generate 16,565 TPD of waste in 2036. This increase in waste generation could put substantial pressure on the existing waste management system of Kerala. Thus, there is a greater need to investigate alternative waste management options and expand the capacity of the waste management system in Kerala. Landfills have also been widely unsuccessful in the state of Kerala. According to the Suchitwa mission' s latest data, Kerala has 51 notified dumpsites of which only 31 are in operation and 14 dumpsites have a volume≤ 800 m3. Additionally few dumpsites are very close to human settlements and located close to each other. In the current article a detailed review of the waste generation, composition, organic waste treatment and disposal methods are made, and gaps in the present waste management practice are outlined. The identified gaps are examined to fulfill the defined requirements in the solid waste management law of the respective state and the comprehensive rules laid down by the Government of India (Gol) in its Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.