Training Programme on Integrated Waste Management

Date: September 10-14, 2019

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) organized a five-day training program on “Integrated Waste Management” at Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute (AAETI), Nimli, Rajasthan from 10 - 14September 2019. Issues and experiences of recent waste management domain and planning initiatives were discussed by subject experts during the training. The event witnessed diversified participants from 19 fields likeConsultancy, Academicians, Research and Private Companies.It discussed in detail the regulations, technical processing options and case studies in Solid, Plastic, E-waste, Biomedicaland C&D waste. The training supported and maintained a balance of theory and practical sessions along with signature sessions, group discussions, class exercises and site visits.

The objective of the program was to enable participants to understand the essential legislation and compliance in the implementation of Solid Waste Management (SWM) at the local bodies, and allied waste management issues prevailing in different contours of the country. It incorporated one site visit and practical hands-on exercises in order to enable participants ascertain and formulate an Integrated Waste Management (IWM) model for sustainable responsive growth.

The program encompassed lectures, case studies, dialogues, assignments and group activities viz., know your plastics, development of a sustainable waste management plan focusing on segregation, recycling and reuse; exercises on e-waste management; signature sessions on plastic-free packaging and need for circularity in waste management system etc. Participants were also taught the concept of ‘Circular Economy’ and were given task to identify different types of plastics based on their origin, usage and recyclability.

The training also deliberated upon different themes related to integrated waste management techniques such as technologies available in the market for decentralized composting and centralized waste management options like, biogas; Waste to Energy (WTE); sanitary landfill and reclaiming landfill. In order to leverage the learning and experience, the program also outlined a field visit to the Common Biomedical Treatment Facility (CBWTF) – Hoswin Incinerator - in Alwar, Rajasthan. It helped the participants to get aquatinted with the pragmatic challenges experienced during the execution of Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) Rule, 2016 in tier 2, 3 cities, and villages. On the concluding day of the training course, participants learned about the environmental impacts of resource extortion and the need for sustainable consumption and production in our daily lifestyles.

The training augmented the awareness level and importance of source segregation, decentralized waste management and importance of circular economy in waste streams among participantsand motivated them to reduce wastes at individual level. It further, propelled them to think and consume resources sustainably. Some key take away for participants from this training were: existing status of waste management in India; major provisions of the new waste management Rules 2016 and their status of implementation, roles and responsibilities among different stakeholders; inventorisation and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); decentralised waste management; use of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for behavioural changes and site visit to comprehend and learn about prevailing best waste management practices in the country. Furthermore, the participants mentioned that such platforms not only provide them an opportunity to meet, engage, gain and share knowledge from diverse fields, but also facilitate them in ideating probable solutions for our shared common world.