3. Solid Waste: A
Growing Problem
Solid waste is a major problem in many countries, including Pakistan. The amount of solid waste
generated is increasing every year, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable
disposal sites.
There are several different methods for treating solid waste, each with its own advantages and
disadvantages.
4. Solid Waste: A Growing Problem
•Landfilling
•Incineration
•Composting
•Anaerobic
digestion
•Gasification
5. LANDFILLING
Landfilling is the most common method of solid waste disposal. Waste
is buried in layers, covered with soil, and compacted.
Landfills can be a source of methane, a greenhouse gas, and leachate, a liquid that can contain
harmful pollutants.
6.
7. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
× Landfills can be a source of methane, a greenhouse
gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide.
Landfilling is a relatively inexpensive
method of waste disposal.
Landfills can be used to dispose of a wide
variety of waste materials.
Landfilling can help to reduce the amount of
waste that is sent to incinerators, which can
produce harmful pollutants
× Landfills can also be a source of leachate, a
liquid that can contain harmful pollutants.
× Landfills can take up a lot of space.
8. 1
Preparation: The site is
prepared by grading,
installing drainage
systems, and installing a
liner.
Waste disposal: Waste is
brought to the site and is
disposed of in layers.
Landfilling process can be divided into the following
steps:
2
9. Compaction: The waste
is compacted to reduce
the amount of space it
takes up.
Covering: The waste is covered with
soil or other materials to help
prevent the growth of pests and to
reduce the spread of odors.
3
4
10. Incineration:
Incineration is a process of burning solid waste at
high temperatures. This process can reduce the
volume of waste by up to 90% and can also generate
heat or electricity. However, incineration can also
produce harmful pollutants, such as dioxins and
furans.
11.
12. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
Loading waste into
the furnace
Burning waste at
high temperatures
Turning the steam
into electricity
Incineration
Generating steam
from the heat of
combustion
Disposing of ash
and other residues
safely
13. 1 Reduces landfill waste by up
to 90%.
2 Generates electricity.
3 Destroys hazardous
waste
3
Produces hazardous ash
1
Releases air
pollutants.
2
May not be cost-effective.
Advantages and Disadvantages
14. Gasification Gasification is a waste treatment process that
converts solid waste into a gas that can be used
to generate electricity or heat. The gasification
process involves heating the waste in a low-
oxygen environment, which breaks it down into
its basic components, including carbon
monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. However,
gasification is also a relatively new technology.
15. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
× High cost.
Reduces landfill waste by up to 90%
Can be used to produce syngas, which can
be used to produce a variety of products,
such as synfuels, fertilizers, and
chemicals.
Generates electricity or heat.
× Specialized equipment required.
× Not all waste materials are suitable for
gasification.
× Gasification plants can be complex and
require careful operation and
maintenance.
16. Gasification Process steps
Waste
Pretreatment
Drying
Gasification
Cleaning
Utilization
Preprocessing: The waste is shredded, screened, or washed to
remove any contaminants that could interfere with the gasification
process.
Drying: The waste is dried to a moisture content of 10-20% to prevent it from
condensing and forming tars and other harmful byproducts.
Cleaning: The gas is cleaned to remove any impurities, such as sulfur dioxide and
heavy metals. This is done using a variety of methods, such as scrubbing, filtration,
and absorption.
Utilization: The cleaned gas can then be used to generate electricity or heat. It can
also be further processed to produce syngas or liquid fuels.
Gasification: The dried waste is gasified in a reactor, which is a furnace that is heated to
a high temperature.
17. 1
Lack of awareness about the
proper way to dispose of waste 2
Inadequate funding for solid
waste management 3
Inadequatefunding for solid
waste management
Solid waste treatment challenges in Pakistan
Chemical industries in Pakistan produce a significant amount of waste, which can have a negative impact on the environment.
There are several challenges to solid waste management in Pakistan
19. Lahore
Industry Waste Produced
Treatment
Methods
Equipment
Owned
Gaps in Solid Waste
Management
Solutions to
Cope with
Challenges
Textile Solid waste
Incineration,
landfilling, and
composting
Incinerators,
landfills, and
composting
facilities
Lack of awareness,
inadequate
funding, and poor
enforcement
Increased public
awareness,
increased
funding, and
improved
enforcement
20. Multan
Industry Waste Produced
Treatment
Methods
Equipment
Owned
Gaps in Solid
Waste
Management
Solutions to
Cope with
Challenges
Chemical
Solid waste,
including
hazardous
waste and non-
hazardous
waste
Landfilling and
composting
Landfills and
composting
facilities
Lack of
awareness,
inadequate
funding, and
poor
enforcement
Increased
public
awareness,
increased
funding, and
improved
enforcement
21. Faisalabad
Industry Waste Produced
Treatment
Methods
Equipment
Owned
Gaps in Solid
Waste
Management
Solutions to
Cope with
Challenges
Chemical
Solid waste,
including
hazardous waste
and non-
hazardous waste
Landfilling and
composting
Landfills and
composting
facilities
Lack of
awareness,
inadequate
funding, and
poor
enforcement
Increased public
awareness,
increased
funding, and
improved
enforcement
22. The chemical industries in Pakistan's metro cities generate
significant amounts of waste, posing challenges for solid waste
management.
To address this, it is crucial to strengthen infrastructure, raise
awareness, and implement efficient waste treatment and recycling
methods.
These measures will contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable
environment in these cities.
Conclusion