Bardhaman: Muncipal Solid Waste Management - Report

Salan Khalkho
Last Updated: 16 Nov, 2022

Bardhaman generates 153 Metric Ton of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Per day. The city is spread over an area of 26 sq.km. with population density of people per square kilometer. The waste segregation at the source stands at just about 19%. With % literacy rate, there is further scope for improvement.

Bardhaman, has a population of approximately 314,265 (2011 Census). The average waste generated per person per day in Bardhaman is 138 Gram. Bardhaman produces 55845 tonnes of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) per annum. Bardhaman faces the problem of managing solid waste like any other city of India. Increased use of Color coded dustbins in Bardhaman households and workplace can lead to more efficient waste management with increased waste segrigation at source. Every household in Bardhaman should start to use Kitchen dustbins to keep dry and wet waste segrigated.

About Bardhaman City

The city Bardhaman is witnessing rapid pace of increase in population, economic growth, urbanization and industrialization. All of this is leading to solid waste generation at an accelerated rate in Bardhaman. The waste generated in Bardhaman region includes all kinds of waste such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, construction, metal, plastic and other kinds of waste.

153 Metric Ton Soid Waste Generated Per Day in Bardhaman

Bardhaman, a city belonging to the State of West Bengal is spread over an area of 26 sq.km. Improper management of solid waste in Bardhaman poses risks to the environment and public health. Solid waste management (SWM) has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for Bardhaman. Studies show that the unsafe disposal of waste generates dangerous gases and leachates. Therefore it is imperative that the 153 Metric Ton of waste generated Per day in Bardhaman should be properly disposed in accordance with the 'Solid Waste Management Rules 2016'.

19% Segregation of waste at the point of generation in Bardhaman

The main component of waste management is segregation of dry and wet waste. Waste segrigation plays key role in ensuring proper recovery, reuse and recycling of collected waste. In Bardhaman, Waste segregation at the source is happening with just about 19% of the waste generated. Active participation of people from Bardhaman region is key to the success of waste segrigation at source. Even though people are supposed to sort the waste, about 81% household from Bardhaman don't segrigate the waste into dry and wet waste. Wet waste includes that of food leftovers, fruit and vegetable skin and other kinds of waste generated in the kitchen. Dry waste constitutes plastic, paper, glass and other items which do not decompose.

Biomedical waste in Bardhaman

Most Bardhaman hospitals have Color coded dustbins. However, their effective and planned use still remains a huge challange. Segregation of trash in Bardhaman is important because mixing general municipal garbage with biomedical waste leads to added burden on the incinerators designed to handle biohazardous waste alone. Segregation of Biomedical Waste with the help of Bio Medical Waste Bin and Biomedical Sharp Container should be done. Disposable Sharps Containers for disposing biohazard waste is another better and safe solution for Hospitals in Bardhaman. The liquid waste generated in hospitals, clinics and health care centers in Bardhaman is disposed of in sewers. Medical liquid waste generated in Bardhaman is highly infectious and pose serious health hazard to the lives of humans.

Bardhaman's Landfill Sites Status

Growing popuation of Bardhaman, means existing landfills won't be sufficient. If we talk about, entire West Bengal, about 202.23 Metric Tons of Solid Waste is sent to landfill sites everyday. In fact, West Bengal generates 13709 Metric Tons of Waste everyday. Of this, only about 13356 Metric Tons of Waste is collected and just 667.6 Metric Ton Per Day is treated. Ironicaly the waste collected is dumped together at the landfills. These are largely un-regulated and are hazardous to surrounding areas of Bardhaman's Landfills Sites.

Density, Population and the Waste Generated in Bardhaman City

The population density of Bardhaman is people per square kilometer (2011 Census). In context to the waste generation, it is important to know the density of any city because there is a direct link between the population density and the waste generated per day. The density of population is the ratio between the numbers of people to the size of land. It is usually measured in persons per sq.km. For example, the area of Bardhaman Region is 26 sq km and the population is 314,265 persons (2011 Census). The density of population is calculated by dividing 314,265 (Bardhaman popuation) by 26 sq km.

According to an estimate, it is found that household size is directly proportional to waste generation. As the household size increases, the waste generation will also increase. In other words, bigger the household size Bardhaman city, the more waste will be generated in Bardhaman.

Population Demography of Bardhaman

Sex ratio of Bardhaman depicts females per 1000 males. The popuation of Bardhaman in 2011 was 314,265, . Public attitude of Bardhaman residents needs to be changed in proper waste handling and segregation. This will save the people of Bardhaman city from several environmental and health related problems. With the growth in population, there will be growth in the generated waste aso. Bardhaman city will have to bear the burden of handling additional waste in the days to come as the population grows.

Literacy Rate, Income and Waste Generated in Bardhaman

Literacy Rate of Bardhaman is %. A study conducted by the Population Foundation of India has found out that each year of education in India increases a person's average income by 6.7%. Income and waste generation are directly proportional to each other. As the income level increases, waste generation also increases. Increased literacy rate of Bardhaman denotes increase in income level. However, it is observed that while segrigating the waste generation to biodegradable waste generation and plastic waste generation, High Income Grade is less in biodegradable waste generation than Low Income Grade. This explains the use and throw culture of High Income Grade population of Bardhaman. Aso note that the per capita waste generation differs according to income, land use etc.

Management & Handling of MSW in Bardhaman

The Bardhaman Municipal Corporation is responsible for collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste generated.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Bardhaman

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed West Bengal government to pay Rs3500Cr as fine according to the reports pubished on 3-Sep-22. The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs. 3,500 crores on the West Bengal government for alleged mismanagement of solid and liquid waste causing harm to the environment. The NGT noted that out of 2,758 million litres per day of sewage generation in urban areas and the treatment capacity of 1505.85 MLD (by setting up 44 STPs), only 1268 MLD is reported to be treated, leaving a huge gap of 1490 MLD.

How to Register as a Hazardous Waste Recycler in Bardhaman?

Companies or businesses can register themselves as Hazardous Waste Recyclers in Gorakhpur by personally visiting and applying at the Regional office of the Pollution Control Board of Gorakhpur, that is the West Bengal Pollution Control board. They can also apply online by visiting the website of the Regional Office of the West Bengal Pollution Control board. From there you will need to collect and fill the application form and submit it along with essential information and details in accordance with the need to recycle Hazardous and other wastes. Part D of the form should be filled carefully and should be attested by the applicant’s signature before submitting. Also make sure all the documents are attached that are listed in “Required Documents” section of the form. The form has to be submitted to the District Environmental Engineer of Bardhaman city for scrutiny and check. After this concerned engineer will inspect and examine the site.

Address to Register as Hazardous Waste Recycler in Bardhaman

West Bengal Pollution Control Board,
Department of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal
Paribesh Bhawan, 10A, Block-LA,
Sector-III, Bidhannagar,
Kolkata-700106.
Website: https://www.wbpcb.gov.in/

How to Get an eWaste License for Bardhaman city

eWaste License can be obtained from the Regional office of the Pollution Control Board of Gorakhpur. Obtaining eWaste License has become mandatory for every manufacturer, producer, consumer, bulk consumer, collection centers, dealers, e-retailer, refurbisher, dismantler and recycler. The E-Waste rules apply to you if you manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, collect, store or process e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule.

Disclaimer:
Facts and figures presented in this article are aggregated from various places and their authenticity is not checked or verified. We strongly disclaim any authenticity or correctness of the information available in this artice. The information presented in this article is not intended for any kind of administrative work, decision making purpose, academic purpose or to arrive at any conclusion. You are hereby advised to do your own due diligence and check the correctness of any information presented here.

References:
https://www.census2011.co.in
https://uidai.gov.in/images/state-wise-aadhaar-saturation.pdf
https://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/MSW/MSW_AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ngt-imposes-rs-3500-crore-fine-on-bengal-for-mismanagement-of-solid-liquid-waste/articleshow/93969437.cms