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Waste Disposal Problems

Solid waste may be classified as follows:

• Sewage sludge originating from mechanical-biological-chemical treatment, chemical treatment, or WSPs.
• Solid wastes produced by urban and rural households from single family dwellings, villages and small-to-medium towns.

Non-treated solid waste can accumulate in large amounts. The non-treated waste becomes a non-point source of nutrients and other compounds, which contribute to eutrophication and contamination of freshwater resources. Accumulation of solid waste may be reduced by recycling, by changing production methods, by decomposition to harmless compounds or by disposal.

The above discussion is summarized in a decision tree shown in Figure 4. Reusing and recycling, in combination with composting, is a central solution, provided that the concentrations of toxic substances can meet the standards. Anaerobic digestion of sludge and air-drying may be used as a pretreatment of the sludge, but it is not included in the decision tree. Incineration may replace composting, but for medium and small towns and villages composting is more attractive. Proper control at the source of the problems associated with the presence of toxic substances is also a key to acceptable management of the solid waste.

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