Kolkata, December 18, 2020

CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, in association with MSME-DI, Aizawl, Mizoram, jointly organised a Webinar on ‘Sustainable Processing of Municipal Solid Waste’ on18^th December, 2020. Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur delivered the Keynote Lecture on the topic.

Shri R.K. Giri, Director, MSME-DI, Agartala, Got.of India in his welcome address stated, “CSIR-CMERI has been the flag bearer of numerous Affordable Technology Innovations which has played a critical role in ameliorating social concerns. The Municipal Solid Waste Processing Technology has tremendous potential to make a substantial impact for the immediate Ecology and the Environment. The MSMEs can harness this Technology in conjunction with the various Government Schemes to explore the massive business potential. The North-East Industrial Development Scheme launched in the year 2017 can be gainfully utilized for Business Opportunities as well as Maximum Societal Impact.”

Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur stated “The Government Schemes and Science & Technology in combination can maximize the Business Prospects as well as the Societal Outreach of the Municipal Solid Waste Processing Technology developed by CSIR-CMERI. It has been observed that with an Annual Average Waste generation of 62 million tonnes in India, approximately 70% of the waste is collected and 20% is processed. Appropriate technological interventions for processing of the waste are a necessity without which there are high risks of contaminating the ground water as well as Soil through the process of leaching. Besides, improper management of Drainage Systems also leads to flooding, owing to dumping of these Solid Wastes directly onto the Drains. Various Solid Waste Management solutions including capital intensive to cost effective are available with CSIR-CMERI. The plasma arc treatment of waste management is useful for treatment of all forms of waste and is capable of volume reduction of waste to the extent of 95% but the process is capital as well as energy intensive. Contrary to the above solution, the cost-effective one is aimed at mechanized segregation of waste following complete bio-degradation of organic waste targeting 10-30% of MSW to be dumped in landfill area. The existing solution of Windrow Composting is Economically Unsustainable. CSIR-CMERI can also add modules in existing waste management plants to make the solution full-proof targeting in zero landfill area. The waste heat from the plastic waste management facility is used for drying and disinfection of bio-solids collected from sewage water which is a good nutrient with higher fertilisation capability. The MSW facility is also equipped with special capabilities to deal with a diverse range of COVID-19 waste including Masks, Sanitary Napkins, and Diapers etc. The MSW facility has been with special disinfection capabilities to help Break the COVID Chain through UV-C Lights and Hot-Air Convection methods. We have also achieved optimum Energy Sufficiency in the MSW facility by adding the Solar Rooftop technology, which can also feed the surplus Energy Supply onto a Mini-Grid.”

Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani, further added, “It has been observed that after a certain period the Waste Processing Machineries are defunct, owing to non-availability of Skilled Manpower. Thus, CSIR-CMERI has initiated 5 variable week-long modules, for Skilling and Up skilling the local people on operations and maintenance of the MSW Technology. Besides, a Community Participation Model can be developed whereby the Garbage Creators themselves may submit the generated garbage to waste processing hubs, by providing them with appropriate incentives. The MSW pilot plant installed at CSIR-CMERI has the capacity to process approximately 1 tonne/day, which is sufficient to take care of around 1000 households. The Landfills vacated as a consequence of the MSW Technology may thereafter be utilized for gainful purposes. This technology also provides a viable Business Model which is directly proportional to the Landfill Area intended to be vacated. This decentralised technology will help in drastic reductions of Transportation and Logistics Cost and consequently substantial reduction in Carbon Footprint”.

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