Status of Hazardous Waste Management in India

By

R K. Garg

 Waste is generated in all Human viz.

Activities

Domestic & Commercial (Municipal Waste). Health Services (Biomedical Waste). Industries (Toxic & Hazardous Waste). E-waste Agriculture Waste. Construction & Demolition Waste.

However, the quantity and nature of these wastes are vastly different.

contd..
It also states measures need to be taken to prevent pollution of water bodies from waste disposal on lands. The policy delineates various action plans for environmentally sound management of all types of waste.

Hazardous Waste
Wastes generated from many industries are Hazardous in nature. They contain toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive constituents. Recognizing the highly adverse impact of hazardous waste on the environment and the health of the people the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), framed rules entitled Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules as early as 1989 under the Environment Protection Act 1986. These rules were amended from time to time. Recently in Sept 2008 new rules entitled Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules have come into force in place of the earlier rules.

Hierarchy of Waste Management

Reduce waste process/technology. by change of

Reuse, Recycle, Reprocess. Dispose of in any of the following ways:

Physico-chemical treatment Biological treatment Incineration Containment in secured landfill

Salient features of Hazardous Waste Rules, 2008

Rules prescribe procedure for handling of hazardous waste at various stages i.e.
Generation Storage Packing, Labelling & Transport Recycling/Reuse/Reprocess Treatment & Disposal Import & Export Role of Regulatory bodies Responsibility of Generators, Facility Operators & Recyclers

Applicability / Definition
Hazardous waste means any waste which by reason of its physical, chemical, reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive characteristics causes danger or is likely to cause danger to health or environment whether alone or when in contact with other wastes or substances and shall include: Wastes specified in Schedule I Wastes having constituents specified in Schedule II in concentration equal to or more than the limits indicated in that schedule. Wastes specified in Schedule III (Part A, Part B) in respect of Import or Export of such wastes or any waste which may possess any of the hazardous characteristics specified in Part C of that schedule.

ScheduleSchedule-I
Lists processes / industries (36 nos) which generally produce hazardous wastes ex. Petrochemicals, Petroleum refining, Reprocessing of used/waste oil, Metallurgical industries including surface treatment operations, Asbestos containing processes, Fertilizers, Processes involving Chemicals and Solvents, Paints, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Pulp & Paper, Used Electronics, Leather, Air and Water treatment processes etc.

contd..
It may be noted that high volume low effect wastes such as Fly ash, phosphogypsum, red mud (from alumina refineries), slags from pyro-metallurgical operations, mine tailings and ore beneficiation rejects are excluded from the category of hazardous wastes. Separate guidelines on the management of these wastes are to be issued by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

ScheduleSchedule-I

ScheduleSchedule-II
Schedule-II is based on erstwhile BAGA (The Netherlands Environment Protection Agency) list of hazardous substances. The hazardous constituents are divided into five classes (A to E) depending upon the magnitude of the hazard, and the concentration limits are stipulated for each class.

ScheduleSchedule-III
Schedule III is divided into Parts A & B (based on the Basel convention (Annexure VIII & IX) and procedure for Import & Export (only for the purpose of recycling/reprocessing) has been indicated for each of the waste. No hazardous waste can be imported for disposal.

Procedure for Handling of Hazardous waste

Responsibility of the occupier: 1) The occupier shall be responsible for safe and environmentally sound handling of hazardous waste generated in his establishment. 2) The hazardous waste shall be sent or sold to recycler/reprocessor/reuser or shall be disposed of in an authorised disposal facility. 3) Transportation to be in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

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4) All required information about the waste to be provided to the disposal facility operator. 5) To contain accidents. contaminants and prevent

6) To provide proper training, equipment & information to the workers to ensure safety. 7) To take all steps for reduction & prevention of waste generation.

Grant of Authorisation
Every person and facility engaged in the generation, processing, storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, transfer, disposal, etc of hazardous waste shall require an authorisation from State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). Authorisation already obtained under the earlier rule of 1989 will be valid till the period of expiry.

contd..
A person authorised under these rules will maintain the record of hazardous waste handled by him and shall send annual return to SPCB. In case of non-compliance of any of the condition of authorisation or provisions of these rules, the SPCB may cancel or suspend the authorisation after giving him an opportunity of being heard.

Storage of Hazardous Waste

Occupiers, recyclers, operators of facilities may store hazardous waste for period not exceeding 90 days. In some cases provided in the rules, the storage period could be extended by the SPCB up to 6 months. Shall maintain records of sale, transfer storage, recycling etc for the hazardous wastes.

Recycling / Reprocessing / Reuse of Hazardous Waste

Recycling/Reprocessing of hazardous wastes as given in Schedule-IV will need the registration from CPCB The format for applying for registration is given in the rules (Form-5). Registration will be valid for five years and will need renewal there after.

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The purpose of registration is to ensure that the applicant is utilising environmentally sound technology and possesses adequate technical capabilities and requisite facilities and equipment. Utilisation of other hazardous wastes as a supplementary resource or for energy recovery or for processing shall be carried out after obtaining approval from CPCB.

Import & Export of Hazardous Waste

No import of hazardous wastes from any country will be permitted only for disposal. Import will be permitted only recycling, recovery and reuse. for

Export may be permitted from India to an actual user or operator of a disposal facility with the prior informed consent of the importing country.

contd..
No import and export of hazardous wastes given in Schedule VI shall be permitted. Import/Export of hazardous wastes given in Schedule-III (Part A & B) shall be regulated as per certain conditions laid down in the rules in line with Basel convention on Trans-boundary movement.

contd..
Part A waste shall require prior informed consent of the country from where it is imported or exported to and shall also require license from DGFT and written permission of Central Government. Part B wastes do not require prior informed consent, but require certain permissions as given in the rules, depending upon the nature of the wastes.

Treatment, Storage and Disposal facility (TSDF) for Hazardous Waste

Identification of sites for establishing the facility by State Government along with the Occupier / Operator / Association of occupiers. Design & Setting up of Facility Captive/Common to be carried out as per technical guidelines issued by CPCB & with approval of SPCB.

contd..
The operator shall be responsible for safe & environmentally sound operation & its closure & post closure phase and SPCB to monitor. Operator shall maintain records.

Packaging, labelling & Transport of Hazardous Waste

Packaging should be able to withstand physical conditions & climatic factors. Labelling should be easily visible and should have information (as per Form 12). Transporter to be provided all relevant information (as per Form 11) by the occupier.

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Transport should be in accordance with the rules made under Motor Vehicles Act and other guidelines issued from time to time. For transport to other state, No Objection Certificate (NOC), required from both states. For transit through another state, the SPCB of that State also to be informed by the occupier.

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Manifest system (Movement Document) to be used within the country. The occupier to prepare six copies of the manifest (in Form 13) comprising of colour code and all copies to be signed by transporter.

Accident Reporting Occupier/Operator

If an accident occurs:-

&

Liability

of

At the facility At hazardous waste site During transportation of hazardous wastes the occupier shall immediately report to the SPCB about accident (in Form 14). Occupier/Operator/Transporter/Importer will be liable for any damages.

Present Status of Hazardous Waste Management 1) Generation:

Presently there are about 36, 000 industries in the country producing hazardous waste of the order of 6.2 Million Tons/annum. Of this about 3.1 Million Tons is recyclable, 2.7 Million Tons landfillable and 0.42 Million Tons is incinerable. State wise, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are the major generators accounting for about 60 % of the total generation.

contd..
2) Recycling/Reprocessing:
Around 1,000 recycling/reprocessing units have been registered for recycling of wastes like used lead acid battery scrap and other lead and non-ferrous metal scrap, process residues, waste oils and used lubricating oils. Recently registration has been given for Ewaste recycling as well to a few units.

contd..
3)Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF):
A number of Common TSDF have been established for disposal of hazardous waste in secured landfills or by incineration. The number of such facilities is 22 with a total landfill capacity of about 1.5 Million Tons/annum. Only a few of these facilities have incinerators with a total capacity of about 90, 000 Tons /annum

contd..
Guidelines in respect of construction of such facilities have been prepared by CPCB. In addition to the common TSDFs, there are some individual industries which have their own captive landfills and incinerators. Some incinerable waste is proposed to be used as supplementary fuel in cement kilns and necessary studies in this respect have been carried out by CPCB.

Conclusion
From the above it can be seen that the management of hazardous waste has made good progress. However further efforts are needed in respect of updating of hazardous waste inventories, characterization, improvement in operation of TSDFs and stricter enforcement of the rules.