The government has released a proposed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address the growing issue of poorly managed secondary storage and transportation facilities (SSTF) for solid waste in urban areas. The SOP highlights the severe environmental and health risks associated with current practices and outlines new guidelines for setting up and operating these facilities.
Current Issues with Secondary Waste Storage
The SOP identifies numerous problems with existing waste storage depots, often called “Dhalaos,” including:
Environmental Hazards
- Odor and bad smells affecting quality of life.
- Littering caused by animals and rag pickers.
- Leachate contamination of soil and groundwater.
- Pest and vector breeding (rats, flies, mosquitoes).
- Environmental degradation, including soil and water contamination.
Public Health and Safety
- Unhygienic conditions and disease transmission.
- Traffic congestion due to depots occupying road space.
Operational Deficiencies
- Aesthetic degradation of the area.
- Non-compliance with waste segregation rules.
- Lack of regulation for Dhalaos within the SWM Rules 2016.
Proposed SOP for SSTF
The SOP aims to improve waste management by classifying SSTFs into two categories:
- Secondary Storage Facilities (SSF):
- These facilities will include designated infrastructure for waste storage, sorting, and material recovery.
- They will be used for temporary storage of non-biodegradable, recyclable materials, street sweepings, and drain silt.
- Biodegradable waste storage is strictly prohibited at SSFs.
- Secondary Transportation Facilities (STF):
- These facilities will utilize fixed compact transfer stations and mobile equipment for waste transportation without storage.
- STFs can handle both biodegradable and recyclable waste, as well as road sweepings and drain silt.
The SOP emphasizes the importance of proper location selection for SSFs and STFs:
Facilities should be placed in isolated areas, away from sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.
SSFs should not be located near water bodies, flood-prone zones, or ecologically sensitive areas.
STF placement must also follow the same location criteria.
The proposed SOP aims to:
- Ensure proper segregation and management of solid waste.
- Minimize environmental and health risks.
- Improve the aesthetic appeal of urban areas.
- Enhance compliance with waste management regulations.
This new SOP is designed to improve the nations urban waste management infrastructure.
