Waste characterization of MSW at bhalswa landfill and market survey of utilization of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) for industrial application
Student name: Ms Ankita Jena
Guide: Dr Kamna Sachdeva
Year of completion: 2011
Host Organisation: SENES Consultants India Private Limited
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Richa Lohia
Abstract: Management of waste is a universal problem and complexity is at a rise due to rapid population growth,
economic development as well as changing lifestyle. Presently most of the waste generated is either
disposed of open dumpsite or landfilled. It requires huge landmass and also results in detrimental health
and environmental problems.
Delhi is one of the metropolitan cities of India and being the capital has a tremendous potential for
economic and commercial growth resulting in ample employment opportunities. This accounts of increase
in population as well as municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. Integrated Solid Waste Management
(ISWM), wherein most of the components are segregated and diverted away from the landfills, has found
favor with the municipal authorities. Characterization of the waste to know its constituents is a very
important method in order to develop any kind of waste management plan. With land being a premium in
Delhi and in the wake of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) syndrome for setting up of new landfills, the
municipal authorities have started looking for alternative technologies for waste disposal that are
economically feasible, environmentally friendly and also socially acceptable. Projects like reclamation of
landfill and waste to energy (WTE) projects are drawing the attention of the decision makers.
WTE projects are known to be beneficial not only due to the generation of energy as an end product, but
also due to the significant reduction they cause in volume of wastes. But the problem is the economic and
market viability of these end products. Refuse derived fuel (RDF) is one such end product. Being
comparatively new, market potential of the fuel needs to be known before its introduction into the market.
Survey is one such method which helps understand the current market scenario as well as industries
attitude towards a new fuel.
Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste, Landfill, Integrated Solid Waste Management, Waste to Energy,
Refuse Derived Fuel, Market Potential, Survey
