| Author | Popuri, Srinivasa B. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-96-35 |
| Subject(s) | Refuse and refuse disposal--India--Calcutta
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | There is an interesting divide between the arrangements that sustain two major
environmental improvement services in Calcutta. While waste disposal is taken care of by a
formal sector (CMC), waste recycling is carried out entirely in an informal sector. This unique
bisector responsibility characterizes the fundamental functional feature of waste disposal and
recycling system of Calcutta, leading a "Two-World System". This, of course, excludes a
number of new waste recycling technology options which are now being intensely discussed
and are at fairly mature stage of test scale implementation.
Over past twenty years, many development projects have been executed to solve the
problem of solid waste disposal in Calcutta. But none of them recommended a way for a
linkage between the formal and informal sectors for an efficient recycling of solid waste. This
study has been aimed to evaluate the existing status of solid waste management and recycling
system taken care by both the sectors. This survey includes review of the technologies and
recommendations for the future policy formulations linking both the sectors.
This research study makes a methodical survey of the various technologies at different
stages of development for recycling of solid waste in Calcutta. While some of these are already
in operation in the field, others have been emerging with innovative approaches.
A Life Cycle Approach (Womb-to-Tomb) approach has been adopted for this study at
all the stages. It covered different actors indulged in recycling activity in Calcutta.
The study recommending two key issues to improve the existing SWM pattern system;
"Frequency of Removal" and "Handle-once-Only" of the city garbage.
The study identified the need of public awareness towards hazardous materials m
households and provision for separate collection of these materials by CMC.
The research proposed proper linkages between formal sector and informal sector for
better recycling of waste in Calcutta. This study recommends a feasibility of developing an
organized recovery mechanism in the future.
The study proposed an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for Calcutta
summarizing all the proposed actions by this study. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Reutergardh, Lars B.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Amin, A.T.M. Nurul;Eckhardt, Heinz;Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Partial Scholarship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |