PROJECT ON

WASTE
MANAGEMENT
Managing today’s waste for tomorrow’s world.

Prepared by: Ramya Arora

Class 9C | Lamartiniere Girls’ College
Topic: Waste Management
Academic Year: 2025–2026
 01. INTRODUCTION TO WASTE MANAGEMENT
TABLE OFCONTENTS
This section gives an overview of what waste is, why waste
management is important, and how it affects our daily lives. It
highlights the growing problem of waste in modern society and
sets the stage for the rest of the project.

02. TYPES OF WASTE

Here, you will learn about different kinds of waste such as

biodegradable, non-biodegradable, industrial, medical, and
electronic waste. Understanding the types helps in managing
them more efficiently.

03. WASTE DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT METHODS

This part explains various waste management techniques like

recycling, composting, landfilling, incineration, and modern eco-
friendly practices. It also discusses waste segregation and how
each method impacts the environment.

04. IMPACTS OF POOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

This section talks about how improper waste disposal harms the
environment, affects human and animal health, pollutes water
and air, and contributes to climate change. Real-world examples
and case studies are included.

05. SOLUTIONS AND CONCLUSION

The final section presents practical solutions to improve waste

management, from individual responsibility to government
action. It ends with a conclusion that reflects on the importance
of sustainable waste practices.
 INTRODUCTION
An overview of my research on Waste Management

What is the research about?

This project is about waste management
the process of collecting, handling, and
disposing of waste in a responsible way. It
covers different types of waste and how
proper waste management helps protect
our environment, health, and future.

Why I chose this topic?

I chose this topic because I see how much
waste is generated around us every day.
Whether it’s plastic in the streets or
garbage dumped in rivers, I wanted to
understand how serious this problem is
and what can be done to stop it. I believe
it’s a topic that affects everyone.

What I want to learn?

Through this project, I want to learn how
we can reduce the waste we produce,
manage it better, and recycle or reuse
materials in smarter ways. I’m also
curious about the role of citizens,
communities, and governments in
making the planet cleaner and greener.
 What Is Waste Management?
Introduction to waste management

Introduction & Purpose of the Study

According to a World Bank estimate, a person in a developing country produces about 0.45
to 0.50 kg of municipal solid waste every day. In a country like India, with its growing
population and urbanisation, this creates a huge challenge. Most waste is either not treated
properly or ends up in landfills, drains, and open areas, leading to pollution and health issues.

The purpose of this project is to study the current state of waste management in India, and
to explore better ways of collecting, separating, reducing, and treating waste. Through this
research, I aim to understand how we can make waste disposal more efficient, sustainable,
and environmentally friendly.
Stages Of Waste Management
Waste is usually managed in four important stages. This project looks at each of these:

Generation – Where and how waste is created in homes, markets, offices, etc.
Collection – How waste is collected and whether systems are working properly
Segregation – Whether people separate wet, dry, and hazardous waste correctly
Treatment – What happens to the waste: composting, recycling, burning, or dumping

CONSEQUENCES OF WASTE INDISCIPLINE

Mishandling of waste can have a variety of consequences on our every day life. Besides
creating an unhealthy and unhygienic living environment, it is responsible for the spread of
diseases, pollution of lakes and water bodies leading to loss of biodiversity and the inefficient
use of land and our resources. It is extremely important that we organize and manage the
waste management sector of our country, which is an infrastructural necessity for all of the
other sectors to survive.
 TYPES OF WASTE
40

KEY FINDING
The bar graph shows that Solid
30
Waste (40%) and Organic Waste

Percentage of waste (%)

(25%) make up the largest portions
of total waste. This highlights the
20
urgent need for efficient waste
management systems, especially
for solid waste disposal and
10
organic waste composting. Proper
segregation and recycling can also
help reduce Recyclable Waste
0
(10%) and minimize environmental solid liquid hazardous organic Recyclable

harm. types of waste

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): This Biomedical Waste: Also known as

type of waste includes household clinical or medical waste, this category
garbage, street sweepings, dead includes waste generated during the
animals, abandoned vehicles, and treatment, diagnosis, or immunization
other refuse generated from daily of humans or animals. Examples
activities. It's essentially the trash and include blood, tissue samples, sharps
rubbish that municipalities collect and (needles), and pathological waste.
manage. Construction and Demolition (C&D)
Industrial Waste: Industrial waste Waste: C&D waste is generated during
encompasses the byproducts of construction, renovation, or demolition
manufacturing and processing of buildings, roads, and other
activities in factories and industries. It structures. It can include materials like
can range from hazardous chemicals wood, concrete, metal, and gypsum.
to everyday materials like packaging Liquid Waste: Liquid waste includes
and scrap metal. wastewater, wash water, and other
Agricultural Waste: This type of waste discarded liquids from various sources
arises from farming and agricultural like industrial processes, washing, and
practices. It includes crop residues, flushing.
animal manure, and byproducts from Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste
agro-industries. poses a threat to human health or the
reactive. environment due to its properties. It
can be flammable, corrosive, toxic, or
WASTE COMPOSITION IN
INDIAN CITIES: AN OVERVIEW
In order to understand the challenges of waste management in India, it is
essential to first examine the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) in
typical urban areas.
According to data collected from various metropolitan and tier-2 cities across
India, organic waste makes up the largest share of municipal waste,
accounting for approximately 50–55% of the total. This includes food scraps,
vegetable waste, leaves, and other biodegradable matter.
Other components include plastic waste (5-10%), paper and cardboard (5–
10%), glass and metals (5–6%), and inert materials (20–25%) such as
construction debris, sand, and dust.
The high percentage of biodegradable waste suggests that composting and
bio-treatment methods can play a major role in sustainable waste
management. However, the effectiveness of these solutions depends heavily
on waste segregation at the source a practice that remains weak in many
Indian cities. Paper
Clothes 5.1%
Furthermore, the presence of plastic 7.7%
and other non-biodegradable materials
raises concerns regarding pollution, Plastic
5.1%
recycling infrastructure, and landfill
overuse. Accurate knowledge of the Glass/metal
5.1% Food waste,
waste composition is therefore vital for Garden trimmings,
the design of waste reduction Biodegradable Waste
51.3%
strategies, development of policy
frameworks, and adoption of localized
solutions.

Inert silt, construction waste

25.6%
Urban Waste Management in India:
A Growing Crisis
Urban India generates approximately 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) every year. It

is projected that this number will rise to 165 million tonnes by 2030. Currently, only 43 million tonnes

of municipal solid waste are collected annually, out of which 31 million tonnes are dumped in landfill

sites, and just 11.9 million tonnes are treated.

One of the core issues lies in the inadequate public infrastructure. There are not enough waste bins

available, and many of the existing ones are uncovered, leading to frequent overflow. This results in

waste spilling onto the streets, contributing to unsanitary conditions. Furthermore, the vehicles used

for transporting waste are often uncovered, which causes additional littering during transit.

Many citizens continue to litter public spaces, sometimes out of habit. In earlier years, items like

banana leaves and bowls made of dried leaves were common and biodegradable, even providing

food for stray animals. However, modern litter is predominantly plastic, which poses serious

environmental hazards. In a society as large and diverse as India, bringing about a quick cultural

change in public behavior is extremely challenging.

India’s informal recycling sector, especially waste pickers, plays a crucial role in segregating and

recycling waste. However, these individuals are rarely trained and lack protective gear, exposing

them to serious health risks, injuries, and diseases. In some cases, waste pickers resort to burning

waste at landfills to stay warm during the night, which contributes significantly to air pollution and

fire hazards.

Another growing concern is the rapid expansion of landfill sites. With limited land and increasing

urban population, landfills are becoming unmanageable. Unlike the waste in many Western

countries, India’s waste is largely organic, which presents a huge opportunity for composting.

However, to make this possible, it is essential for citizens to adopt the practice of waste

segregation at the source.

It is vital for Indians to follow the Solid Waste Management Rules laid out by the Government of

India. These guidelines aim to promote sustainable waste disposal practices, improve public health,

and protect the environment.

TOP 5 MUNICIPAL SOLID
WASTE GENERATORS
ANNUALLY
(In million tonnes)

2016 estimate 2030 projected 2050 projected

India

US

China

Brazil

Indonesia

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

WASTE MANAGEMENT

WHERE DOES OUR WASTE GO?

LANDFILLS
2
1
Dumping trash into a landfill is a
frequent method of garbage disposal.
Landfills are specially designed sites
where trash may be buried and covered
with dirt. This is the most cost-effective
way of garbage disposal and is often INCINERATION
utilised for non-hazardous waste. Air Incineration is yet another
and water contamination may result option for waste management.
from poorly managed landfills. As an example, garbage may be
reduced in bulk and energy can
be produced by burning it in

3
high-temperature furnaces.
RECYCLING However, not all garbage is
Reusing resources instead of amenable to incineration
throwing them away is called because of the pollutants it may
recycling. It's a resource-friendly release.
waste management strategy since
it lessens trash sent to landfills.
Paper, plastics, glass, and metals
are some of the most often
recycled items.

4
COMPOSTING

5
Organic waste may be converted into nutrient-rich
soil by composting, a process that occurs naturally.
This method, which may be carried out in the
comfort of one's own home or at industrial scale,
contributes to the reduction of landfill garbage.

OPEN DUMPING
Waste is dumped in open areas without treatment. It is illegal in many places but still
common. This method is harmful as it leads to air, water, and soil pollution and poses
serious health risks.
 Methods of
waste disposal
 1. LAND FILL

It is the most traditional method of waste disposal.

Waste is directly dumped into disused quarries, mining voids or borrow pits.
Disposed waste is compacted and covered with soil
Gases generated by the decomposing waste materials are often burnt to generate
power.
It is generally used for domestic waste.

ADVANTAGES
site is a cheap waste disposal option for
the local council.
Jobs will be created for local people.
Lots of different types of waste can be
disposed of by landfill in comparison to
other waste disposal methods.
The gases given off by the landfill site
could be collected and used for
generating power.

DISADVANTAGES
The site will look ugly while it is being used for landfill.
Dangerous gases are given off from landfill sites that cause local air
pollution and contribute to global warming.
Local streams could become polluted with toxins seeping through the
ground from the landfill site.
Once the site has been filled it might not be able to be used for
redevelopment as it might be too polluted.
 2. INCINERATION

Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of solid

waste at 1000C.
waste materials are converted into ash., flue gas, and heat.
The ash is mostly formed by the inorganic constituents of the waste and gases due
to organic waste.
the heat generated by incineration is used to generate electric power.

ADVANTAGES
Minimum of land is needed compared to
other disposal methods.
The weight of the waste is reduced to 25%
of the initial value.
No risk of polluting local streams and
ground waters as in landfills.
Incineration plants can be located close to
residential areas.
Gases are used to generate power

DISADVANTAGES
Expensive
Required skilled labour.
The chemicals that would be released into the air could be strong
pollutants and may destroy ozone layer (major disadvantage).
high energy requirement.
 3. COMPACTION
The waste is compacted or compressed. It also breaks up large or fragile items of
waste.
This process is conspicuous in the feed at the back end of many garbage
collection vehicles. Deposit refuse at bottom of slope for best compaction and
control of blowing litter.

4. PYROLYSIS

Pyrolysis is defined as thermal degradation of waste in the absence of air to

produce char, pyrolysis oil and syngas, e.g. the conversion of wood to charcoal
also it is defined as destructive distillation of waste in the absence of oxygen.
External source of heat is employed in this process.
 IMPACT OF POOR
WASTE MANAGEMENT
When waste is not managed properly, it leads to serious
consequences for the environment, human health, and animals.
Overflowing landfills, open dumping, and untreated waste
contaminate air, water, and soil.

1. Environmental Damage:
• Air pollution from burning
garbage (especially plastics)
• Soil degradation from leachate
in landfills
• Water pollution from
unprocessed sewage and
industrial waste

2. Human Health Hazards:

• Spread of diseases like cholera,
dengue, and typhoid
• Respiratory issues due to smoke and
gases
• Contaminated drinking water

3. Harm to Animals:
• Marine animals die from eating plastic waste
• Birds and stray animals consume non-biodegradable materials
 THE FUTURE OF WASTE
MANAGEMENT:
Toward a Zero-Waste World

The idea of zero waste communities operating closed-loop systems that emulate a circular economy is
currently a popular movement across the globe. Though without fundamental changes in the way waste is
handled, these phrases are destined to remain buzzwords rather than become reality.
While the business of collecting, processing and disposing of material has gotten far more efficient in
recent decades, many essential concepts have remained: burying waste in landfills is still an inexpensive
option, many people are resistant to living near waste-related facilities and large amounts of debris still
enter the ocean. Changing these dynamics in a significant way will not be easy, but in recent years
multiple architects and designers have taken on the challenge.

Bans on Plastic

It's not a secret that most plastics take hundreds, if not thousands of years to photodegrade (which is still
bad for the environment anyway), or that they're wildly hazardous to local ecosystems and wildlife. That's
why many cities are starting to address the plastic waste generated within their borders. Styrofoam in
particular has been discussed widely throughout the years, and cities and towns across the country have
increasingly been resorting to bans on food packaging made out of polystyrene foam. While it's cost-
effective and durable enough for packaging, its light weight makes it prone to being easily spread by the
wind, and it can seep compounds like styrene into the earth and groundwater. Between prohibitions on
Styrofoam, plastic shopping bag bans, and even bans on plastic bottles, hopefully the push to phase-out
unsustainable and pervasive plastics like these will continue.

From Paper to Digital

In 2012, President Obama signed legislation requiring the EPA to move to a completely digital system of
records by 2015. This would allow retailers and commercial businesses to report their hazardous waste
data directly to the EPA via an “e-manifest," making industrial and commercial waste tracking a much
more streamlined, efficient process. The need for digital record keeping has never been needed more
across industries and government institutions, especially in a time where even the Department of Veterans
Affairs has seen such a backlog of physical paperwork that disability claims can be delayed for years.
Considering the efficiency benefits and that digital record systems generate considerably less waste, it's
likely that more businesses and institutions will be pressured into jumping on the digital train as well.
"Biodegradable" Plastics

The market for biodegradable plastic resins has been increasing steadily for years and is currently

expected to increase by 19% a year into 2017. Plant-derived resins like polylactic acid - a #7 plastic

labelled "PLA"- continue to be at the forefront of a campaign to introduce bio-based resins into a variety

of markets and industries. While some possible applications include car parts, clothing, and even

electrical components, there is still the issue of labelling certain plastics "biodegradable." Without proper

municipal recycling and composting systems in place to break down the plant-based material, these

plastics won't degrade. When polylactic acid packaging in particular is mixed with other types of plastics

during processing, it can even contaminate the entire batch of recycled plastic, rendering it all useless.

This risky push for resins from feedstock can only be properly managed if we start adopting widespread

systems capable of truly composting the material. Otherwise, we risk simply mitigating consumer guilt

without actually providing any real solutions. Skepticism abounds as the market for these plastics

continues to grow...

Mandatory Composting

Only 5% of the 26 million tons of food waste in 2012 avoided a landfill. This means there are still millions

of tons of food sitting at the bottom of a landfill that could have otherwise been turned into a healthy

compost material for personal or municipal use. That's why more municipalities across the country are

starting to institute programs for organic material composting, and some are even making it mandatory.

It's not just the urban eco-titan San Francisco playing with this type of legislation: Rhode Island has

started the discussion, and even New York City did when Michael Bloomberg was the active mayor. We

can only hope this increased interest in composting continues to grow.

Sustainable Innovation

A Swedish student at the Umeá Institute of Design developed back in 2013 a conceptual design for the

ERO a robot that can actually recycle buildings made out of concrete and rebar. The amazing concept

even won the designer, Omer Haciomeroglu, a 2013 International Design Excellence Award from the

Industrial Designers Society of America. While only a conceptual project at this point - and an incredibly

ambitious one at that - the fact that an entire concrete building can be theoretically recycled is a

groundbreaking achievement of design. The possibilities of sustainability are constantly being redefined

by innovations like this, and we can expect to see similar revelations continually evolving at a faster rate.
3-D Printing

3-D printing has opened up doors to manufacturing that were never before thought to be opened: from
commercial use and mass-production, even down to more private, personal use at home. 3-D printing
technology might even be able to build a house in a day. Of course, this technology risks increasing our
dependence on plastic even further. Thankfully, some are finding grinded-up plastics from around your
home even used Legos and other plastic waste can be a viable option for printing. Just imagine if a whole
new market was opened up for plastic waste to be used in 3-D printing? Certain recycled plastics are
often cheaper per pound than virgin plastics anyway. 3-D printing has innumerable positive applications,
but we should ensure that the materials used are as sustainably-sourced as possible.

Energy from Organic Waste

California is often a place were budding eco-technology is piloted, and anaerobic digestion technology
is no exception. Sacramento County's "Sacramento BioDigester" can take food
Download to read ad-free and other biodegradable waste and turn it into sustainable bioenergy. This
benchmark in anaerobic digestion may be an indication of things to come, especially when the
Sacramento digester is so efficient it can process about 100 tons of organic material a day. Imagine if
there were one of these in every major city across the U.S.

Recycling... Cigarettes?

Whether or not you believe cigarette smoking is a gross habit, the fact remains that 38% of litter on the
road is cigarette and tobacco product waste. It's a ubiquitous and nasty issue that, until now, we've had
to just deal with. Now, through TerraCycle's Cigarette Waste Brigade recycling program, an person,
organization or business over the age of 21 can actually collect and send cigarette waste directly to
TerraCycle. The tobacco and paper gets composted and the cellulose acetate filters are recycled into
industrial plastic products like shipping pallets. A similar city-wide program was even launched by the city
of Vancouver last November with the help of TerraCycle. As more people begin to realize that there
actually is a solution to this enormous waste stream, we hope to see more people and municipalities
following suit.
 Waste Segregation: The First
Step to Effective Waste
Management
Waste segregation means separating waste into different categories before disposal. It
is the first and most important step in managing waste properly. When waste is sorted at
the source, it becomes easier to recycle, compost, or dispose of safely.

Types of Waste:
Biodegradable (Green Bin): Food waste,
leaves, paper – can be composted.
Recyclable (Blue Bin): Plastics, metals, glass –
can be recycled.
Hazardous (Red/Yellow Bin): Batteries,
chemicals – need special handling.
E-Waste: Old electronics – should go to
recycling centers.

Why Segregation is Important:

Makes recycling easier
Reduces pollution and landfill waste
Helps recover valuable materials
Keeps harmful waste out of nature
Saves energy and resources

Where It’s Done:

Homes: Separate wet and dry waste
Schools: Use labeled bins for easy sorting
Industries: Use machines to sort large waste amounts

Conclusion:
By segregating waste, we take the first step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more
sustainable planet.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to take this opportunity to express my

heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported and
guided me in completing this project on Waste
Management. First and foremost, I am extremely
thankful to my subject teacher, whose
encouragement, guidance, and valuable
suggestions helped me stay on the right track
throughout the course of this project. Their insights
and expertise played a vital role in shaping the final
outcome of my work.

I would also like to thank my school for providing

the necessary resources, a positive learning
environment, and the opportunity to carry out this
research. The facilities and materials offered by the
school helped me explore various aspects of waste
management in depth and enabled me to present
my findings effectively.

My sincere thanks go to my family, especially my

parents, for their constant encouragement,
motivation, and support throughout the project.
Their belief in my abilities inspired me to put in my
best effort. I am also grateful to my friends and
classmates who shared ideas, gave feedback, and
contributed to discussions that helped me
understand the subject better.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge all the online

resources, books, and articles that provided valuable
information and helped me expand my knowledge
on this important topic. Without the support and
contributions of all these individuals and sources,
this project would not have been possible. I am truly
grateful for their help and encouragement.
 CONCLUSION

Waste management is not just a necessity it is a

responsibility that every individual, community, and
nation must take seriously. As I explored various
aspects of waste in this project, I came to realize
how deeply waste impacts our environment, public
health, economy, and overall quality of life.
Improper disposal of waste leads to pollution of
land, air, and water, while effective waste
management can help preserve our natural
resources and protect future generations.

Through this project, I have learned about different

types of waste, their sources, methods of disposal,
and the importance of segregation and recycling. I
also came to understand the global challenges we
face, such as rising e-waste, plastic pollution, and
overflowing landfills. However, I have also seen that
there are many innovative solutions, from advanced
recycling techniques to sustainable community
practices, that offer hope for a cleaner future.

The role of individuals is just as important as that of

governments and corporations. Simple actions like
reducing single-use plastic, segregating household
waste, composting organic material, and reusing
items can collectively make a big difference. As
future citizens and caretakers of the Earth, it is our
duty to stay informed and act responsibly.

In conclusion, waste management is a key pillar of

sustainable living. It is not only about disposal but
about making conscious decisions to reduce, reuse,
and recycle. Through awareness, cooperation, and
innovation, we can build a cleaner, healthier, and
more sustainable world for everyone.
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https://www.britannica.com/technology/hazardous-waste-management

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https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/garbage-management/647532

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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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THANK YOU
“Small actions can make a big difference.”