MATERIALS

&

METHDOS

MATERIALS & METHODS

With considering the outsized study area and the severity of the urban

environmental problems and to get a baseline data regarding the solid waste

management system along with its allied aspects, the questionnaire and

direct field visit methods were employed for the present investigation.

The solid waste management of any urban center comprises various

components or sub-units. The sub-units cumulative and coordinated

functions give the good results and manage the particular aspects by a

specific way. In the solid waste management, there are various components

such as waste generation at individual level or family level, collection of

household solid waste, waste from market and other common public place,

waste collection system from residential areas and streets and common

areas, the workers engaged in waste collection (sweepers), the waste

collecting peoples, waste transportation system, waste disposal system

(dumping site/composting sites) and authority to monitor the waste

management system, which comprises administrative officers (sanitary

inspectors, ward officers, supervisors). Apart from this, the researchers and

rag pickers are also associated with the solid waste management. The

peoples involved in the collection of recyclable material from the waste are

also the part of solid waste management.

In the present investigation, the objectives of the proposed research

work were worked out by following the widely accepted methods.

3.1 Survey of solid waste management (SWM) system of Aurangabad

city

The various aspect of solid waste management system of Aurangabad

city was worked out by following manner.

3.1.1 Existing status of solid waste management system of AMC

To assess the existing status solid waste management system

questionnaire method was used. The questions related to the number of

wards present in Aurangabad city, area, total population etc. were asked to

the authority. The questions are related to working staff of Aurangabad

Municipal Corporation for solid waste management. The presence of waste

collection bins and handcarts used for collection were also enquired along

with waste collection and transportation vehicles. The representative

questionnaire is attached in Annexure – I.

The questionnaires were provided to each ward officers of

Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). By considering the local

language and language of administrative work carried out in AMC, the

questionnaire were draft in local language (Marathi) and provided to the

concerning authority. Along with questionnaire method to collect the

information about the existing solid waste management and the allied

aspects were collected by using the information published in local and

regional newspapers regarding the solid waste management of Aurangabad

city (Annexure-II)

Simultaneously for taking the authentic and systemic information

regarding the waste management of Aurangabad city were collected with

referring the published literature in reports of National Solid Waste

Association (NSWA), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), State

of Environment Report (SoER): Maharashtra, Environment Status Report

(ESR) of Aurangabad Region and Environment Status Report of

Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

The collected information by using the methods applied during the

present investigation was used to study the objectives of work. The study

was carried out during the three year period viz. January 2007 to December

2007, January 2008 to December 2008 and January 2009 to December 2009.

3.1.2 Survey to study the severity of waste management problems in

Aurangabad city

The survey and direct field visit methods were employed to

understand the severity of waste management problem in Aurangabad city.

During the present investigation the waste management problems

from Aurangabad city were understood by asking questions to concerned

peoples and by giving frequent visits to the study area. The severity of

problems was confirmed by frequent visits and by collection supportive

evidences.

The information about the baseline data about the waste generation

from Aurangabad city was obtained. The problems of waste collection bins

were observed. The system of waste segregation present in Municipal

Corporation of Aurangabad city was studied. The problems at waste storage

spots and open dumps were observed from study area. The problems during

the transportation of waste were recorded along with the solid waste disposal

methods. The disposed solid waste lechate problem was identified from

waste dumping site. The problem of feeding of stray animals on solid waste

was reported from city area and dumping ground. As a direct impact of

uncollected solid waste from residential area drainage blocking problems

were observed, particularly in rainy season. Much of the human resource is

directly related to the handling of solid waste specifically worker handling

the solid waste were monitored for the use of safety equipments.

Though there is budgetary provision for the certain activities in the

solid waste management, sometime these activities fail to give optimum

results; hence the economics of waste management system of Aurangabad

Municipal Corporation and related aspects were critically assessed. The

issue of failure of corporation for the waste management raised by common

people, non-governmental organizations and media were reported for the

assessment of solid waste management carried out in city. The representative

news published in local newspaper is attached in Annexure – II.

3.2. Quantitative study of solid waste collected at dumping site

The per days solid waste collection rate was calculated by considering

the waste carrying capacity of the vehicles (WCCV) used for the transport of

the waste from Aurangabad city to waste dumping site (Naregaon) and their

total number of trips per day, the total amount of waste generated per day

was calculated, on the basis of which the monthly waste generation quantity

in tons were calculated.

MSW Collection / Day = WCCV x No. of Trips / Day

3.2.1 Municipal solid waste collection trends in Aurangabad city

The municipal solid waste collection trends were studied during the

period January 2007 to December 2009. The collection trends were studied

by taking maximum, minimum and average vales of the cumulative solid

waste collected every year from Aurangabad city by corporation.

3.2.2 Study of average per day per capita waste collected from

Aurangabad city

The average per day per capita waste collection from Aurangabad city

was studied from January 2007 to December 2009. The values of average

per day waste collected of each year and by considering the population of

city (as per 2001 census) the per day per capita waste collected from

Aurangabad city was calculated.

3.2 Percent composition study of solid waste

To study the percent composition of the solid waste collected from

city area and transported to the waste dumping site were studied for its

percent composition. The percent compositions of the waste generated from

residential areas of representative houses from Begumpura area of

Aurangabad city were studied.

3.3.1 Percent composition of waste collected at Naregaon waste dumping

site

The percent composition study of municipal solid waste collected

from Aurangabad city and transported to Naregaon dumping site were

studied during study period. The quartering method was used for the

collection of waste samples as described by CPHERI, 1974.

The sampling of collected waste was carried out quarterly, in a month

from dumping site. To study the composition of municipal solid waste

collected from city, average 10 Kg of solid waste were collected randomly

weighed by using weighing balance at dumping site.

The weighed waste samples were segregated manually for its

composition study i.e. for the degradable such as food waste, paper, leather,

earth matter and ash and non - degradable components such as plastic, metal,

glass, rubber. On the basis of the weight of each segregated component the

percent composition of waste were calculated.

3.3.2 Percent composition of waste generated from residential area of

Aurangabad city

During the present investigation to assess the percent composition of

municipal solid waste generated from residential areas due to household

activities were studied. For easy access in collection and transportation of

waste to the laboratory for percent composition study, the 100 houses were

surveyed from Begumpura area of Aurangabad city in vicinity of University

campus. From which about 25 houses were selected randomly as

representative houses for the waste composition study. The polythene bags

of 5 Kg waste carrying capacity were provided to the residents of selected

houses for the collection of daily generated waste. These bags were brought

to the laboratory and weighed for the quantity. From the household collected

solid waste 1 Kg of thoroughly mixed waste samples were selected for

study. The components such as remains of vegetables and food waste, paper,

plastic, glass/ceramics, metal, fine earth and ash and miscellaneous were

segregated manually by handpicking. The each component was weighed by

using weighing balance and the percent weight of each portion of the waste

was calculated.

3.4 Physico-chemical characteristics of solid waste

To assess the characteristics in terms of physical and chemical

parameters of the municipal solid waste collected from Aurangabad city

were studied. Among physical parameters moisture content was studied. The

chemical parameters such as pH, Organic matter, Carbon, Total Nitrogen,

Phosphorus as P2O5 and Potassium as K2O were studied. The widely

accepted method were used as described by APHA, 1998; Trivedy and Goel,

1986; Maiti, 2004, Kaul and Gautam, 2002 and CPHERI, 1974.

3.4.1 Physical parameters

The total moisture content was estimated from the collected waste

samples and expressed in percent.

3.4.1.1 Moisture content

The moisture content of solid wastes is the weight of water present in it

and is expressed in the unit of percentage. To determine the moisture

content, 500 gm of waste sample was air dried overnight at 1000C in oven.

The initial weight of wet solid waste was taken as (Ww). After air drying the

solid waste samples in oven its dry weight (Wd) was taken. The loss of

water/moisture by evaporation was determined by taking the difference

between Ww and Wd and is expressed in the unit percentage. The calculation

of Moisture content of municipal solid waste was carried out by using

following formula.

Moisture Content (%) = (Ww - Wd)/Ww x 100

3.4.2 Chemical parameters

From chemical parameters pH, Organic matter, Carbon, Total Nitrogen,

Phosphorus as P2O5 and Potassium as K2O were studied by using the widely

accepted methods as described by CPHERI, 1974 and APHA, 1998.

3.4.2.1 pH

The pH of the collected waste samples was measured by making a

suspension of 5 gm of well –ground waste sample in 50 ml of distilled water.

The suspension was kept for about ½ hr with occasional stirring. The pH

was determined with the help of a pH meter (Hanna’s Pen pH meter).

3.4.2.2 Organic matter

The organic matter content in waste was calculated by keeping the

finely ground waste sample in a previously weighed silica dish and heated

slowly in a furnace to about 7000C for 30 minute. The heated dish was

cooled in a desiccator, weigh and report percentage loss in weight as organic

matter.

3.4.2.3 Carbon

The percent of carbon in waste sample was determined by dividing

the percent of organic matter by 1.724 as per New Zealand formula

(CPHERI, 1974).

3.4.2.4 Total Nitrogen

To calculate the total nitrogen in waste the 5 gm of sample was

weighed and kept in a 500 ml capacity, dry Kjeldahl flask. 3.5 gm of

salicylic acid and 80 ml conc. H2SO4 were added in flask. To obtain the

homogenous mixture flask was shaked thoroughly; followed by 5 minute

heating. 3 gm of sodium thiosulphate was added followed by shaking the

mixture and set aside for half an hour. The sample was heated slowly up to

fumes and cool. 5.0 gm of sodium sulphate was added with slow shaking;

heat and cool. 1 gm of copper sulphate addition in mixture with shaking and

heating. The flask was heated slowly at first, then strongly till the mixture

becomes white.

The content was transferred to a round-bottom distillation flask. 300

ml of 40% sodium hydroxide solution was added to make the contents

distinctly alkaline followed by addition of 2 gm of Zinc dust to the

distillation flask. Distillation was carried out and distillate was collected in

an Erlenmeyer flask containing 50 ml of 4 % boric acid and a drop of mixed

indication till the distillate does not give a pink color with phenolphthalein

indicator. The sample was removed from Erlenmeyer flask and titrate with

0.1 N H2SO4 . The percentage of total nitrogen in the sample was calculated

by using following formula;

Total Nitrogen (%) = Total titrant value x 0.0014 x100

Weight of the sample taken

3.4.2.5 Phosphorus

The phosphorus content of waste was measured by taking 5 gm of

waste sample were weighed into a porcelain dish. The weighed samples was

moistened first with ethyl alcohol and then with 5 to 7 ml of Mg (NO3)2

solution. The dryness was brought on hot plate and burn the organic matter

at low redness over a free flame. The sample was kept in a muffle furnace

with a spatula for about 10 minute followed by moistened with about 20 ml

of distilled water; 15 ml con. HCl acid was added. The dish was covered

with watch glass and digest for 2 hour on a steam bath, with occasional

stirring. Water was transferred with shaking thoroughly and poured into a

folded No. 40 filter paper and filtered into a 250 Erlenmeyer flask and

residue was washed with hot water. From burette NH4OH was added until

the solution is slightly alkaline. Followed by addition of HNO3 acid drop by

drop until solution just acid to litmus paper. About 10 gm of NH4NO3 and

about 15 to 20 ml of ammonium molybdate precipitant solution was added

in it and shaked thoroughly for 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered through

a Whatman No. 40 filter paper. The yellow precipitate were washed for three

to four times with 0.1 percent NH4NO3 solution and then with cold water to

a total volume of about 250 ml. Precipitate was dissolved in an excess of the

standard alkaline and diluted with 150 ml of distilled water. Added a drop of

phenolphthalein and titrate back to colorless state with the standard acid.

The results were calculated to percentage P2O5 (1 ml of 0.2 N NaOH is

equivalent to 0.0006174 gm P2O5) (CPHERI, 1974).

3.4.2.6 Potassium

The potassium content of the waste sample was estimated from the

sample by using flame photometric method (Kaul & Gautam, 2002 and

Trivedy and Goel, 1986).

3.5 Composting methods

In the present investigation the composting study of collected

municipal solid waste from Aurangabad city was carried out by aerobic (in

metallic container) and biological composting technique with the help of

earthworms in wormi-box.

3.5.1 Aerobic composting

About two-hundred liter capacity perforated metal container, covered

on top and an open at the bottom was used for composting the degradable

portion of the municipal solid waste collected from Naregaon waste

dumping ground. The height and diameter of the container was 34 inch and

21 inch respectively. The holes of half inch diameter were made in the

surrounding of the container and the plastic pipe of one inch diameter hole

was inserted in the container to maintain the aerobic condition. To protect

the container from sunlight and rainfall the cone shaped lid was provided. To

picked out the compost from the container the 10 inch by 12 inch opening

was provided. The experimental design of the metal container used for the

composting technique was illustrated with schematic diagram and

photograph of the container were represented in Plate No. 4.

Composting process

The waste collected from Aurangabad city by employs appointed by

AMC for the solid waste management and transported to Naregaon dumping

site. From the dumping site the solid waste was collected from the heaps of

solid waste and segregated manually for isolating the degradable portion of

the waste. The degradable fraction of the solid waste was subjected in

perforated metal container for aerobic composting. To minimize the time

period required for optimum composting rate the waste was shredded

manually.

The shredded waste was kept in container for composting by

maintaining optimum moisture content and the parameters such as

temperature, moisture content and pH were monitored at regular time

interval. The temperature of the composting waste was monitored at the

interval of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45 days till the completion of composting

process. The monitoring of moisture content of compost in various stages at

the interval of 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 after days was carried out. For the pH

monitoring of composting waste was carried out at the interval 5 days during

the composting period.

The composting of organic portion of the waste was carried out during

different months of the year and labeled them as sample – I, II, III and IV.

The composted organic portion of the waste was collected from the

bottom opening of the container. The prepared compost in metallic container

was subject to nutrient content analysis viz. Nitrogen, Phosphorus (as P2O5)

and Potassium (as K2O) and compared them with international market

standards (ICDR, 2005).

3.5.2 Biological composting

The biological composting of degradable solid waste was carried out

in laboratory by using vermicomposting.

3.5.2.1 Vermicomposting

The municipal solid waste samples were collected from open storage

depots from Begumpura area of Aurangabad city. The random sampling

method was used for collection of samples. The collected solid waste was

segregated for getting the organic fraction, which was subjected to

biocomposting (vermicomposting) in laboratory. The degradable fraction of

collected municipal solid waste was subjected to vermicomposting box for

the composting process by using the earthworm species Eisenia foetida. The

nutrient contents such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were studied at

the interval of 15, 30 and 45 days. The average nutrient content of

vermicompost was determined at the end.

The 63 cm x 45 cm x 30 cm plastic wormi-box was used for the

composting of municipal solid waste (Plate No. 5). The bottom most layer of

the vermi unit was covered with coconut coir to maintain the moisture

content. The alternated layer of partly digested and powdered cow dung and

chopped municipal solid waste were laid. The wormi-box was kept in

location free from direct exposure of sunlight and with adequate aeration.

Also proper care was taken to protect the box from predators such as insects,

ants and rodents. The earth worm species Eisenia foetida was inoculated in

wormi-box with sorted organic waste (Plate No.5). A moist gunny bags were

spread over the surface and moisture content was maintained at regular

interval. The composting material was kept for 45 days to convert the

organic fraction of municipal solid waste into vermicompost. In addition

with waste material the water was sprinkled with pump on waste material for

maintaining the moisture level in wormi-box. After completion of 45 days

the water sprinkling process was stopped and compost was gently scrapped

from the top layers of to a depth at which vermi casting were present. The

earthworms were separated from compost manually.

At the interval of 15 (15, 30 and 45) days the compost was analyzed

for the nutrients contents such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The

physico-chemical analysis of the compost was carried out by using the

widely accepted methods (APHA, 1998).

The growth rate of earthworm species Eisenia foetida inoculated in

wormi-box was studied by noting the initial weight of earthworm at the time

of inoculation and the final weight of earthworm after composting. The

weight gain during the process was noted.

From the initial quantity of solid waste used for vermicomposting and

from the weight of vermicompost obtained, the efficiency of conversion of

solid waste into vermicompost was determined.

3.6 Study of parameters influencing composting

By considering the parameters influencing the normal process of

vermicomposting the parameters such as temperature and pH are important

which govern the process of vermicomposting. Hence, in the present study

these two parameters were selected to study the effect on earthworms body

weight gain or loss during vermicomposting of solid waste.

3.6.1 Normal composting process

The parameters such as temperature, moisture content and pH were

studied during the normal vermicomposting process. The parameters were

monitored at the interval of 15, 30 and 45 days.

3.6.2 Effect of pH on growth of earthworms during Vermicomposting

To study the effect of pH on the process of vermicomposting in the

form of the alteration in the growth rate of worms, the acidic pH 4 and 6.5

were selected. Whereas the alkaline pH value 7.6 was selected to observe the

change in growth rate of earthworm in terms of gain in weight or loss in

weight.

The desired pH was maintained by adding the dilute HCl and NaOH.

The pH values were monitored at the interval of 4-5 days and the pH level

was maintained. After about 45 days of vermicomposting, the worms were

segregated manually and weight was taken. The final weight was compared

with the initial weight of worms taken at the time of inoculation and the gain

or loss in the body weight of earthworm was determined.

3.6.3 Effect of Temperature on the growth of earthworms during

vermicomposting

The effect of temperature on the weight of earthworm was studied

during the vermicomposting of solid waste. The high and low temperature

effects were observed.

For the study of effect of low temperature on the change in body

weight, the inoculated worms in wormi-box were maintained in laboratory

where temperature remains in the range of 20 – 270C during the day and

night time. To maintain these temperatures range the experiment was carried

out during the winter season. To maintain the temperature in the range of 20

- 270C (low range), as per the need air cooling system was used in

laboratory. After the completion of 45 days the worms were segregated and

noted their change in weight (gm).

For the study effect of high temperature on the change in body weight

of earthworms during vermicomposting, the experiment was conducted

during summer season. The experiment was carried out at the temperature

range 32 – 420C during day and night time. As per the requirement

temperature was maintained in laboratory. The weight of earthworm was

determined after the 45 days from inoculation. The change in weight of

earthworms was observed or any specific observation was noted.

Schematic diagram of metallic container used for aerobic composting

Plate No. 4: Photograph of metallic container used for aerobic

composting of MSW

Earthworm sp. Eisenia foetida

Plate No. 5: Wormi-box used for the vermicomposting of degradable

solid waste and earthworm species Eisenia foetida used for

vermicomposting.