Revolutionising Waste Management Practices with Digital Technology

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As a society, we have a responsibility to manage waste effectively and sustainably to protect our environment and communities. Waste management is not just an operational function, but also a humane one.

In countries like India, waste management remains a significant challenge due to societal and operational reasons. According to data by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, only a portion of waste generated annually is collected and processed for recycling, leaving a significant amount of waste to end up in landfills.

However, with the emergence of technology, waste management practices are being revolutionized. Innovative digital platforms are making waste management more efficient, transparent, and accessible. By leveraging technology, waste management has become more tech-savvy and humane, making it possible for us to recover and recycle scarce natural resources, reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, and protect our planet.

As we look towards a more sustainable future, it is crucial to acknowledge the role of technology in waste management. With companies leading the way in innovating and improving waste management practices, we can ensure that we manage waste sustainably and effectively, making the world a better and cleaner place for everyone.

Challenges of Waste Management in India

1. Lack of proper waste segregation at source

One of the most significant challenges in India’s waste management process is the lack of proper waste segregation at the source. Even with the local governments providing separate bins to dispose of wet and dry waste, most households still fail to follow this practice. Segregation-at-source by the waste generators can help avoid secondary segregation at waste management facilities like Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) before sorting the materials. This process is land, energy, and capital-intensive and must, thus, be avoided.

2. Public littering

Public littering is a deeply-rooted problem in India, with no end in sight. Despite awareness initiatives by governmental and non-governmental organisations and strict fines issued by the authorities, many citizens continue to litter in public places with no regard for their environmental impact. According to data shared by the then Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate, Mr Prakash Javadekar, in 2019, over 40% of the plastic waste in India was uncollected and littered on the streets by citizens. Due to this, valuable & recyclable resources are lost, adding to environmental pollution and health hazards.

3. Inefficient processes at MRFs

Apart from the consumer’s role in making waste management efficient, waste management facilities like Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) also face several challenges that must be tackled to improve operational efficiency. Most of these facilities still lack the proper transparency on the movement of waste streams for recycling and disposal. Moreover, their sorting process is highly labour-intensive, which reduces their capacity for processing the materials.

Technology’s Role in Improving the Waste Management Sector

The rapid development of technology, especially smart technology, is revolutionising the way we live and conduct business. This is true for waste management too. Innovations in waste management have proven successful in improving waste collection, disposal, and recycling while enabling traceability and transparency. Leveraging such technologies can help waste management facilities in improving operational efficiency and streamlining their operations.

1. Mass Balancing

Mass balancing is a process used in waste management facilities to track the material moving through the system. It involves measuring the weight of waste at various stages of the process, from the point of generation to disposal. The process typically involves using electronic scales and sensors to track the weight of each incoming and outgoing waste material stream. The sensors can be integrated with the conveyor belt and set up to automatically calculate the total weight of each material type, providing real-time information on the amount of waste being processed.

2. Robotic Vision

Robotic vision is a technology that can improve the sorting efficiency in Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs). The technology involves robots with advanced vision systems that can quickly and accurately sort large volumes of waste material. The robots are equipped with cameras to quickly detect and identify valuable waste materials based on their colour, shape, and texture. This information is then used to sort the materials into the appropriate categories, such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass, and further based on grade & value.

3. Digitising Deposit Refund System

Besides benefiting waste management facilities, technology is also making its way into social initiatives like Deposit Refund Schemes (DRS). New-age DRS programs are now using innovations like QR codes to improve the efficiency of the collection process and engage consumers and revolutionize the way we dispose of recyclable containers.

Stickers with QR codes can be stuck onto targeted packaging materials like plastic bottles and snack packets. Consumers can scan the QR code using their smartphones, identifying the packaging to be returned for a refund of the additional fee they paid while purchasing the product.

This innovative solution is not only convenient for consumers but also eliminates the need for manual tracking and verification, reducing the risk of errors and fraud.

The benefits of technology in improving the waste disposal and management ecosystem are clear. However, to leverage its potential to the full extent, there needs to be a concerted effort by all stakeholders.

Governments, brands, waste management companies, and individuals must collaborate to implement technology-driven solutions and promote sustainable waste management practices. Only then can the waste management ecosystem in such nations become efficient and the environment be protected against the overproduction of waste.

As noted by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” We must all take individual responsibility for our waste management practices and work together to create a sustainable future.



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Disclaimer

Views expressed above are the author’s own.



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