Sustainable Management of Bio Medical Waste in Chennai: A case study

Abstract

The aim of the current research article is to study various treatment techniques involved in the management of bio medical waste and select the most appropriate treatment method in terms of cost savings, energy recovery and waste volume reduction in a sustainable manner. Most of the HCF (Health Care Facilities) lacks the provision for on-site waste treatment facility. One of the major reasons might be the fear of high pollutant emission levels from multiple machines or equipment used in the treatment process. At times, it could be due to lack of sufficient space within the clinical premises. To overcome this situation, a minor amendment has to be introduced in the bio medical waste management rules 2016, which includes providing a suitable area necessary for medical waste treatment within the premises, during the construction stage itself. Further, the identification of appropriate treatment techniques based on the type of waste generated is also important. Even a primary HCF too should be equipped with the requisite treatment facilities, considering the emission levels to be within the standards. This sort of installing an on-site waste treatment facility will reduce the amount spent upon external agencies for disposal and treatment of the medical waste. Then, the leftover residue is securely landfilled in the dedicated site or even be liable to mix with the municipal solid garbage. The current study concludes that the implementation of one of the treatment techniques in a specific hospital helps in energy recovery, huge reduction in the volume of waste generation and avoids illegal dumping of the waste, thereby creating less impact on the surrounding environment.