Organic Waste Management at Community Level

Kshetrimayum Sanatomba *

Present Scenario

Throughout the city, there is no localized legally designated waste dumping site. The only site identified for dumping waste is at Lamdeng in Imphal West. The work for door to door collection of Municipal Solid Waste from household for dumping to the Lamdeng site was assigned to some NGOs & it started the work from 2007. However, inadequate participation by the residents for reasons like inadequate awareness of NGO's work, existence of open spaces in neighborhood or inadequate capacity of the NGO's, 100% coverage is not achieved. The waste from the households, as per agreement between the Municipal Council, Imphal & the NGOs, are to be collected twice a week. However, many a times, collection is not regular and sometimes waste collection van won't turn up for 8-10 days. As a result, wastes are found to be dumped at every nook & corners of many localities. This resulted to scattering of wastes & blocking of drainage in every locality leikai or leirak.

To manage the waste dumped at the Lumdeng site, "The Solid Waste Management for Imphal City" under JnNURM project was approved by MoUD in May, 2007. The project was taken up at a site measuring about 88 acres, in Lamdeng, Imphal (West).

As per the details available in the website of JnNURM (given below); the expenditure on the project had exceeded the allocated expenditure for the project. However, physical completion of the work is only 85% based on the report. The actual physical progress needs to be verified! By now, everybody will presume the project could be in commissioning stage. God knows!

Another major issue of this project is that Environmental Clearance has not been taken for the project and 85% of construction had been completed. As per MoEF's EIA gazette notification, dated 14th Sept., 2006, all Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility (CMSWMF) will require to take Prior Environmental Clearance from MoEF or State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Manipur, depending upon the category (based on General Conditions specified in the said notification).

Every Chaobas & Tombas of Manipur knows- what had happened to the Sugar Factory at Khangabok & the Cement Plant at Hundung, Ukhrul! Let's hope the MSW plant at Lamdeng comes to operational stage sooner than later not only for the sanitation purposes but also for the sustainable agriculture of the state.

Projects Implemention Status Under JnNURM (UIG): Manipur

For the moment, as usual, let us not rely on the ever non- reliable bureaucrats & the politician of the State. We need to find out an economically feasible solution for the management of part of solid waste in our own community i.e. the bio-compostable waste, which accounts for 50-65% of total household solid waste generated.

The above detail is based on the Quarterly Progress Report submitted by Dept. of Town Planning, Govt. of Manipur to the Ministry of Urban Development, GoI.

MSW Generation

MSW refers to the refuse, the solid & semi solid waste matters of a community except the night soil. Per capita solid waste generation in Imphal is 0.3 Kg/day (Source: MoEF). Quantity of solid waste generation has increased from 70 tons/day in 2006 to 96 tons/day in 2011 and is estimated to reach 120 tons/day in 2031. Solid waste contains biodegradable waste (50-65%) as well as non-biodegradable waste (35-50 %).

Composting Organic Waste

Decomposition and stabilization of organic waste matter is a natural phenomenon. The organic content of MSW tends to decompose leading to various smell and odor problems. It also leads to pollution of the environment if not managed properly. To ensure a safe disposal of the MSW it is desirable to reduce its pollution potential and several processing methods are required for this purpose. Composting process is quite commonly used for managing the biodegradable solid waste. The process results in conservation of natural resources and is an important processing method, especially in agricultural and horticultural areas.

Composting is an organized method of producing compost manure by adopting its natural phenomenon of decomposition & stabilization. Compost is particularly useful as organic manure which contains plant nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) as well as micro nutrients which can be utilized for the growth of plants. When used in conjunction with chemical fertilizers optimum results are obtained.

Compost Vs Fertilizer

Compost is a naturally balances mixed of microorganisms that provide a healthy medium for plant growth. It enhances the soil to create a beneficial environment for plants by acting as soil conditioner. Fertilizer feeds plants and it may overload the soil with nutrients. Chemicals in fertilizer can upset the symbiotic relationship of microbes in soil. The chemicals in fertilizer can also harm the environment if they are overused and seep into underground water reserves or runoff into nearby bodies of water. The excess nitrogen from fertilizers can spur algae growth that depletes the oxygen supply for fish. From an economic standpoint, compost, is less expensive than fertilizer. Poor plant health is often due to poor soil conditions. Improving the soil with compost instead of using fertilizer is a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way of maintaining healthy plants.

Types of Composting

Composting can be carried out in two ways i.e., aerobically and anaerobically. During aerobic composting aerobic micro-organisms oxidize organic compounds to Carbon di-oxide, Nitrite and Nitrate. Carbon from organic compounds is used as a source of energy while nitrogen is recycled. Due to exothermic reaction, temperature of the mass rises. During anaerobic process, the anaerobic micro organisms, while metabolizing the nutrients, break down the organic compounds through a process of reduction. A very small amount of energy is released during the process and the temperature of composting mass does not raise much. The gases evolved are mainly Methane and Carbon di-oxide. An anaerobic process is a reduction process and the final product is subjected to some minor oxidation when applied to land.

Composting can be done manually or mechanically. For a city like Imphal, where land availability is a constraint, mechanical composting, which require less land area is suitable.

Organic Waste Composter (OWC)

Organic Waste Composter provides favorable conditions of food, water, temperature and mixing for composting cultures. These micro organisms thrive in these favorable conditions. Heat generated during their activity is preserved by providing insulation. The increased temperature kills pathogens and also accelerates the composting process. This is a continuous process and is controlled electronically. A blower is provided to supply fresh air to microorganisms. The exhaust is led to Activated Carbon filter. The outlet of the filter may be connected to chimney or sewage line. This is suitable for a colony (Leirak or Leikai) having about 250 households. Schematic Diagram & Flowchart of Composting Process is given Fig.-1.

The specifications & cost benefit analysis of a typical organic composter (Model KC-100)* are highlighted below;

Expenditure

One time Cost

Advantage of Organic Composter

o Automatic mixing, composting & curing. Manual operation involves loading garbage only.
o Less space requirement.
o Negligible maintenance & low operating cost requirement.
o Minimum manpower requirement.
o Activated carbon filter is incorporated for odor filtration and maintained a good odorless ambience.
o No noise generated
o High inside temperature kills pathogens.
o 100% segregation of waste into biodegradable & non biodegradable not necessary.
o Low electricity consumption
o Good organic manure production

Major Hurdle

Pardon me, while writing this article, I was not giving a thought on the state of the power supply in Manipur [sic!]. The machine runs continuously and requires non-stop 3 phase power supply. The possible use of solar panel & phase inverter can be explored. This kind of inverter is available in ebay.com with price ranging around $ 300-500.

Although this will add to the initial cost of the project, but in long term, the environment in general and the project in specific, will benefit. Other hindrances may be land availability, financial things & marketing of product. Whatever may be the issue, where there is will, there must be a way. The concerned Club of the Leirak/Leikai (locality) can take the lead role in implementing such kind of project at community level.

So folks, happy composting!