Disposal of solid waste is a major problem in Kerala About 20-40 % of the waste generated remains uncollected on the Streets and neighborhoods. Wastes are often dumped on open land areas and dumping of wastes causes in sanitary conditions, obnoxious odors and serves as a breeding ground for many diseases. Kerala is facing difficulty in collection, treatment and disposal of ever-increasing quantity of both solid and liquid wastes. No doubt these wastes also affect public health, overall local and environment.
The “Waste to Energy” program is not only pollution free but ecofriendly and yields benefits such as clean environment, better sanitation and hygiene and convenient utilization of wastes, effecting savings in fuel cost etc. Due to lack of awareness, garbage bundled in plastic carry bags are thrown in to road side drains water bodies and in to the open yards, creating unhygienic situation. It causes blockage of flow in to drains and water bodies and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Reckless use of plastic carry bags is creating undue pressure on the environment. In Kerala most of the urban local bodies are having partial or adequate facilities for collection and conveyance of MSW.
E-waste disposal is another serious problem. E-waste are considered dangerous as certain components of some electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment. The technology contains hazardous materials like Lead, Mercury, Cadmium and Arsenic which pose great threats to the human kind. Even, small quantities of lead can cause brain damage in babies and other diseases related to the nervous system, kidneys and blood system.
It is learned that much of the electronics turned over for recycling in the USA ends up In Asia where they are either disposed off or recycled with little or no regard for the environment or workers health and safety. The major reasons of such exports are cheap labor, lack of environmental and occupational standards in Asia and in this way the toxic effluents of the developed nations would flood towards the world’s poorest nations. It is estimated that 75 % of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage it. These electronic junks lie unattended in store houses, offices etc. Later on , they get easily mixed with house hold wastes which are finally disposed off as land fill. Hence, become even more imperative to manage this waste properly and scientifically.
SUGGESTIONS
1. The Govt. should set up regulatory agencies in each district , which are vested with the responsibilities of coordinating and consolidating the regulatory functions of various authorities regarding hazardous substances.
2. The Govt. is responsible for providing adequate system of laws, controls and administrative procedure for hazardous waste management.
3. Existing laws regarding disposal of E-waste should be revamped.
4. Research and development activities must be encouraged standards of hazardous waste management , environment monitoring should also be taken care of.
5. Proper support should be given to the NGOs and other organizations to involve actively in solving the nations E-waste problems.
6. The Govt. must impose strict regulations and penalties against law flouters and those outsiders who dump waste in the country.
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