Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2016, Vol. 4, No.

4, 89-95
Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/aees/4/4/2
©Science and Education Publishing
DOI:10.12691/aees-4-4-2

A Sustainable Approach to the Municipal Solid Waste

Management in Neyyatinkara Municipality, Kerala,
India
V.R. Prakasam1, Soya. Y. Das2,*
1
Department of Biology, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
2
Department of Environmental Sciences, Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract This paper presents the current status of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system of
Neyyatinkara, one of the municipalities of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. The study provides an
overview of generation, segregation, collection, transportation, disposal and recycling of municipal solid waste with
emphasis on assessment of the type and mode of waste disposal practices followed by the households. The main
objective of the study is to identify the major problems and limitations that hinder improvement in the current
MSWM practices and finally suggest remedial measures. Basic information was gathered from municipality and
representative ward members. A detailed field survey was carried out with documentary and photographic
investigations and also using a questionnaire which was circulated among the households. The study reveals that the
present system of MSWM is inadequate, as the average collection efficiency is only 45%-50% of non-segregated
waste. Open dumping and burning are the prevalent approaches followed for final disposal. Unscientific methods of
disposal without proper treatment create environmental pollution and human health issues. Provision of services by
the municipal authority is hindered by limited budget, inadequate technical capacity, weak enforcement of laws,
inadequate data on quantity of waste and its characteristics, poor urban planning, infrastructures and socio-cultural
patterns. The study showed that organic waste constituted a major component of the total wastes. A decentralized
action plan incorporating effective composting methods for organic waste particularly a mix of Effective
microorganisms and vermicomposting is suggested as a sustainable alternative method based on analyses of the
compost for total carbon, NPK and C/N ratio of four different treatments investigated. Also factors to be considered
to implement Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices successfully at household level are also elaborated.
Keywords: solid waste management, Effective Microorgranisms (EM), composting, vermicomposting, organic
household waste, Neyyatinkara municipality
Cite This Article: V.R. Prakasam, and Soya. Y. Das, “A Sustainable Approach to the Municipal Solid Waste
Management in Neyyatinkara Municipality, Kerala, India.” Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, vol. 4,
no. 4 (2016): 89-95. doi: 10.12691/aees-4-4-2.

waste (MSW) is a major challenge in urban regions of

most of the world.
1. Introduction In India, as per 2011 Census, 285 million Indians live in
urban area and are expected to rise to 550 million by the
Solid waste management is one of the most significant year 2021 and 800 million by 2041 [3]. With the ever
challenges faced by the world today. Rapid urbanization increasing population and urbanization, the waste
and industrialization in the recent years has resulted in the management has emerged as a huge challenge in the
accumulation of enormous amount of solid wastes all over. country. Not only the waste has increased in quantity, but
According to United Nation’s World urbanization the characteristics of waste have also changed
prospects report, urban population in the world is expected tremendously over a period, with the introduction of so
to reach 66% of the total population by 2050 [22]. Solid many new gadgets and equipment. It is estimated that
wastes include all solid materials that the processor no about 62 million tonnes of waste is generated annually in
longer considers of any sufficient value to retain. SWM the country, out of which 5.6 million is plastic and 0.17
involves the selection and application of appropriate million is biomedical waste. The per capita waste
technologies, techniques and management practices to generation in Indian cities ranges from 0.2 to 0.6 kg per
design a program that achieves goals and objectives while day [2]. The MSW (Management & Handling) Rules
minimizing operating costs and environmental harm. notified in 2000 by the Ministry of Environment and
Management of solid waste, including the municipal solid Forest require cooperation from municipalities and local
 Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences 90

bodies to collect waste in segregated manner and India was undertaken. Neyyatinkara was selected as it
undertake safe and scientific transportation, management, epitomizes the majority of the municipalities of Kerala.
processing and disposal [4]. However, most municipalities The aim was to prepare a status report of MSWM of
in India have failed to comply with these rules [1]. The Neyattinkara municipality with the following specific
Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate objectives: (1) to observe and assess the present system
Change (MOEF & CC) have recently notified the new (2) to gather information on the problems faced by the
SWM rules in 2016. The new rules are applicable beyond residents on the basis of a questionnaire. (3) to suggest a
municipal areas and have included urban agglomerations, better MSWM strategy suitable to the local situation
census towns, notified industrial townships, areas under the
control of Indian Railways, airports, special economic zones,
places of pilgrimage, religious and historical importance,
2. Study Area
and State and Central Government organizations. Neyyatinkara is the southernmost municipality of
Waste management has become a serious issue in the Kerala State in the Thriruvananathapuram district (8.29N
state of Kerala also. Emergence and re-emergence of Latitude and 76.59E Longitude) (Figure 1). According to
infections have forced to open our eyes to the issues the Census 2011, it has a total area of 28.785km2 with a
affecting environment around. Most of the municipalities population of 70850. It consists of 44 wards and for the
in Kerala have found many difficulties to comply with the study field observations were made in all the 44 wards of
rules. In this context, a study on the MSW of Neyyattinkara the municipal area to evaluate the present status of the
Municipality in Thiruvananthanpuram District of Kerala, waste generated and disposed.

Figure 1. Base Map of Neyyatinkara Municipality

22.2%

25.9%
18.5%

14.8% 7.5%
11.1% Slaughter House
Construction / Demolishion
Hospitals
Markets
Shops & Establishment
Household

Figure 2. Sources of waste generation in Neyyatinkara

91 Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Figure 3. Littering of waste in Municipality; (a) Behind the Meat Market; (b) &(c) Road Sides; (d) On the banks of Neyyar River

Field observation showed that in Neyyatinkara, the municipality collect the wastes and transport in uncovered
sources of waste generation are vegetable, fruit and meat lorry. At present no steps for processing of these wastes
markets, households, shops, hotels, slaughter houses and are followed. However, the municipality transports some
hospitals, institutions, construction and demolition sites of the organic wastes to the agriculturalists for field use,
etc and their proportions are represented (Figure 2). There collecting a nominal fee from them.
are six markets in the municipality. These markets
generate large quantities of biodegradable waste materials
like dried banana leaves, fruits, vegetables, cattle dung, etc. 3. Materials and Methods
The municipality has one authorized slaughter house and
several unauthorized ones, 23 hospitals/nursing homes, 73 A household survey using a questionnaire was done
religious centers, 97 hotels/ restaurants, 135 educational among the randomly selected 2% including ward members
institutions and 18117 households. No waste storage of the 44 wards of the municipality. Questions were
facility has been set up in market places or near slaughter framed with the prime objective to evaluate the
houses. It was observed that no primary waste collection demographic, socio-cultural and institutional factors and
was practiced in the municipality No collection bins were suggest an effective solid SWM practice that is
seen anywhere in the municipality. Wastes are disposed environmentally sound and safe for human health. The
by crude dumping in low laying areas, roads and river questions were mainly (1) do they segregate household
banks (Figure 3). wastes into organic, inorganic and plastic for storage and
It was further observed that segregation of waste at disposal later phase, (2) how do they make use of the
source is lacking. On working days the workers from the wastes or dispose the different wastes, including the
 Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences 92

practices followed for disposal, (3) whether they are the main problem of the composting is odour and the long
satisfied with the present municipal solid waste duration taken for decomposition. 45% of residents also
management system of the municipality and, if not, to brought up the issue of non-availability of space within
provide their suggestions, (4) whether they are ready for the household to have the composting facility. 20%
making payment for the door to door collection of waste, residents were willing to pay for improved SWM and this
if arranged by the municipality and (5)whether they are attitudinal change is significantly related to income,
willing to undertake the composting technology at home educational level and social awareness for maintaining an
itself for managing organic waste. The questions were improved quality life. If door to door collection is
more focused on organic and plastic wastes since these arranged and segregation of wastes at source is practiced,
appeared to be more problematic. The survey revealed that the biodegradable waste can be collected and subjected to
out of the 44 wards, 5 wards namely Town, Vlangamury, different composting processes and can be used for
Vazhimukku, Narayanapuram and Alummoodu are facing cultivation of crops in the 17 wards of the municipality
waste disposal problems to a greater extent. Approximately where agricultural community is dominant. A significant
75% of the houses in these wards stored waste in plastic part of the paper and plastics waste can be easily
bags without segregation and discarded on the road side segregated for recycling and re-used.
from where the municipality collects them. About 50% From the survey it was estimated that per capita waste
residents reuse plastic bottles and carry bags and 26% generation is 0.28kg/day and that the organic waste
burn waste plastics. Most of the residents in these affected fraction makes a relatively larger contribution to the total
wards suggested that door to door collection may be waste (Figure 4) and it consists of mostly food remains,
implemented on a payment basis. The next affected wards vegetable wastes, grass cuttings, leaves and plant remains.
were Aralumoodu, Amaravila, Brahmamkode, Fort, The paper fractions included newspapers, school books,
Punnakkadu, Nilamel, and Koottapana. About 60% of packaging materials, paper cups, bags etc. Plastic fraction
residents dump waste in the open space and in drains, 60% consisted mainly of plastic covers, bags, bottles,
reused plastic materials and 30% burnt the waste plastics. packaging containers etc. Glass includes bottles, broken
Approximately 33% households from Moonukallinmoodu, glassware, light bulbs. Foils, tins, cans, appliances, etc,
Vadakadu, Kalathuvila, Alampotta, Plavila, Thavaravila, come under metal fraction. Textiles, leather, rubber, e-
Chaykottukonam, Maruthathoor, Irumbil, Krishnapuram, waste, etc, constitute others.
Chandavila, Panangattukari, Manalur, Ooruttukala and Recycling of solid wastes is now recognized as the
Athiyanoor found difficulty in managing wastes in their most environmentally sound strategy for dealing with
own backyard. municipal solid waste as a preventive measure of source
Other 17 wards appeared to have less problem in disposing reduction and reuse [6]. The result indicated that, if
off the waste as they were mostly agriculturists and to a recycling is to be adequately developed as an effective
greater extent found using the organic waste as manure for alternative to landfill disposal, households attitude must
cultivating crops and vegetables. The plastic waste generation be improved by supporting with adequate recycling
was also found low in these localities. 87% of residents facilities strategically located and within easy reach of the
reuse plastic carry bags and bottles. Waste plastics were households.
burnt by 9% of residents in these wards. Since organic waste was identified as the major waste
Approximately 32% of the residents were not satisfied component (63%) in the municipality, an attempt was
with the present solid waste management. 25% suggested made in the present study to tackle this waste problem by
that use of plastics may be restricted and substitute plastic subjecting it to different composting procedures enabling
carry bags with cloth, jute or paper bags. 42% residents the residents to choose a suitable management practice
were ready to practice composting; remaining argued that [13,17].

Components of waste

17%

12%

3%
4%
63% 1%
org waste
Plastic
Paper
Metals and glass
construction debris
Others

Figure 4. Composition of waste in Neyyatinkara Municipality

93 Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences

An investigation was carried out to suggest a suitable prominent was for T4 (61%). Significant changes in
nuisance free composting in a fast and non laborious way. parameters such as pH, total organic carbon, nitrogen,
To assess the feasibility of composting and vermicomposting phosphorous and potassium were noticed as composting
process, and the effect of Effective Microogranisms (EM) progressed (Table 1). The change in pH from the initial
application [18] in managing household organic wastes, alkaline to a more neutral condition was obtained for all
four treatment methods were applied. EM is a multi- investigations. The decrease in pH may be due to the
culture of coexisting anaerobic and aerobic beneficial mineralization of N and P, microbial decomposition of the
microorganism [5]. The objective of the study was to organic materials [14] and hydrogen released due to lactic
assess which among the listed below applications would acid bacillus in the EM solution [15].
yield the best percent volume reduction with high nutrient Total organic Carbon (TOC) losses account to 30.6 %
value to the compost produced. (T1), 35.8 %(T2), 35.3%(T3) and 39.9 %(T4). Maximum
(1) Cow dung + Org. waste: Treatment 1 (T1) reduction was observed in T4 indicating high organic
(2) Cow dung + Org. waste + Worms: Treatment 2 (T2) matter mineralization. The results agree with other
(3) Cow dung + Org. waste + EM: Treatment 3 (T3) researchers [11] who have reported 20 - 45% reduction of
(4) Cow dung + Org. waste + EM + Worms: Treatment 4 (T4). TOC to CO2 during vermicomposting of MSW. The
Representative organic samples were collected from greater reduction in EM applied vermi composting may be
households and a homogeneous mixture was prepared due to the fact that microorganisms used the carbon as a
with cow dung in the weight ratio of 4:1. EM solution [8] source of energy, decomposing the organic matter at a
was diluted from stock in the ratio 1:1000 and sprayed to faster rate.
the compost pile. Earthworms of the family Eudrilus Total Nitrogen (TN) TN was higher in the product
eugeniae were used in the studies. The solid waste sample than before composting and increased by 26% in T1, 42%
was prepared for physico-chemical analysis as per Bureau T2, 23% T3, and 33% T4. Earthworms can boost nitrogen
of Indian Standards (IS: 9234-1979). Determination of levels of the substrate during digestion in their gut adding
Total organic carbon by Walkley-Black Method, Total their nitrogenous excretory products, mucus, body fluids
Nitrogen by Kjeldahl digestion method [21]. Total and dead tissues of worms during in vermicomposting
Phosphorous by Molybdenum blue method, Potassium by process. At high pH values, nitrogen is lost as ammonia
flame photometer method and pH by pH meter, were and hence a decrease in pH is an important factor in
carried out [9]. During the course of investigation the nitrogen retention as composting progresses. Earlier
samples were examined in triplicate at periodic intervals studies [12,20] have also observed similar nitrogen profile
of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of composting. C/N ratio was during vermicomposting process.
also calculated. Total Phosphorous (TP) increased only gradually with
the composting duration. This may be due to the gradual
mineralization. As the study was only for 60 days, it was
4. Results and Discussion an expected observation. It is well reported that
phosphorous mineralization and mobilization, resulting
In all the treatments volume of waste reduced from enhanced phosphatase activity by microorganisms in
considerably. After 60 days of composting, decrease in the gut epithelium occurs if earthworms are reared for
volume was T1 (48%), T2 (59%), T3 (54%) and most longer period [16].

Table 1. Changes in chemical characteristics of waste in relation to duration of composting

Time(days) Treatment pH C N P K C/N
0 8.13± 0.05 30.49±0.66 1.05±0.02 0.59±0.01 0.51±0.02 29.03
15 8.01± 0.04 29.15±0.79 1±0.04 0.59±0.03 0.49±0.03 29.15
30 7.82± 0.05 26.75±0.96 1.15±0.01 0.61±0.01 0.51±0.01 23.27
45 7.54±0.06 22.24±0.81 1.27±0.03 0.62±0.01 0.52±0.01 17.51
60 T1 7.32±0.08 21.13±0.99 1.32±0.04 0.63±0.02 0.54±0.04 16.00
0 8.23± 0.08 30.41±1.04 0.98±0.03 0.6±0.03 0.5±0.03 31.03
15 8.06±0.06 28.42±1.01 0.95±0.02 0.64±0.01 0.54±0.01 29.91
30 7.63±0.08 21.51±1.05 1.17±0.01 0.69±0.05 0.59±0.07 18.38
45 7.29±0.09 19.92±0.41 1.29±0.03 0.71±0.06 0.64±0.03 15.44
60 T2 7.02±0.07 19.51±1.45 1.39±0.02 0.75±0.04 0.66±0.04 14.03
0 7.87± 0.09 30.93±1.66 1.1±0.03 0.63±0.01 0.53±0.04 28.12
15 7.74±0.07 27.34±1.42 1.02±0.04 0.66±0.02 0.55±0.01 26.80
30 7.53±0.04 23.59±0.81 1.21±0.04 0.67±0.04 0.59±0.02 19.50
45 7.19±0.02 21.1±0.762 1.3±0.02 0.69±0.03 0.61±0.08 16.23
60 T3 7.11±0.06 19.99±0.18 1.35±0.05 0.69±0.05 0.62±0.04 14.81
0 7.87± 0.09 30.93±1.66 1.1±0.03 0.63±0.01 0.53±0.04 28.12
15 7.64±0.02 28.46±0.91 1.05±0.01 0.68±0.07 0.59±0.01 27.10
30 7.35±0.05 24.34±0.62 1.25±0.05 0.74±0.00 0.65±0.03 19.47
45 7.08±0.01 20.85±0.75 1.39±0.03 0.79±0.04 0.67±0.04 15.00
60 T4 6.99±0.02 18.81±0.61 1.42±0.02 0.81±0.01 0.68±0.01 13.25
 Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences 94

Total potassium (TK) increased gradually and municipality, public, producers, environmental and non-
maximum 0.68 was observed for T4. governmental organizations. A holistic approach is the
Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) of the substrate material need of the hour which can be attained through
reflects the organic waste mineralization and stabilization decentralization process. The willingness of the public to
during the process of composting or vermicomposting. pay for improved SWM must be favorably considered for
Higher C/N ratio indicates slow degradation of substrate developing economically feasible strategies for solid
and lowers the C/N ratio higher efficiency level. The loss waste management. From these perspectives we can
of carbon through microbial respiration and simultaneous achieve the much needed goal of sustainable urban solid
addition of nitrogen in the form of mucus and excretory waste management in Neyyatinkara.
material by worms may be the reason for the greater C/N
reduction in T4. If the C/N ratio of the compost is more,
excess carbon tends to utilize nitrogen to build cell References
protoplasm. This results in loss of nitrogen in the soil. If
C/N ratio is too low, it cannot improve the structure of soil [1] Akolkar, A.B., Status of Solid Waste Management in India,
and thereby its manure value is less. Hence an optimum Implementation Status of Municipal Solid Wastes, Management
and Handling Rules 2000, Central Pollution Control Board, New
C/N of ≤ 20 is desirable [19]. Hence the final composts Delhi, 2005.
obtained from all 4 treatments are excellent manure on the [2] Asnani, P.U., India Infrastructure Report 2006: Urban Infrastructure,
basis of the C/N ratio [7], [10]. Statistical analysis of the Oxford University Press, New Deihi, India, 2006.
data showed significant variance (P < 0.05) on 15, 30th [3] Census of India, Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs,
and 45th day of composting as per ANOVA for all the 2011.
[4] CPHEEO Manual on municipal solid waste management,. Central
parameters. Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization, New
Delhi, 2000.
[5] Diver, S., (2001), Nature Farming and Effective Microorganisms.
5. Conclusion Retrieved from Rhizosphere II: Publications, Resource Lists and
Web Links from Steve Diver,
The study illustrates that solid waste disposal practice http://ncatark.uark.edu/~steved/Nature-FarmEM.
in Neyyatinkara is to be addressed more seriously. Even [6] Gaur A.C., “Recycling of Organic Wastes by Improved
Techniques of Composting and Other Methods”, Resource
though municipality is legally responsible for collection Conservation, 13. 157-174. 1987.
and disposal of waste, presently there is no consistent [7] Gupta, R., and Garg, V.K., “Stabilization of Primary Sewage
database on waste management. It was, however, observed Sludge During Vermicomposting”, Journal of Hazard Materials,
that there are no good waste management practices like 153. 1023-1030. 2008.
collection, separation, disposal methods and recycling in [8] Higa, T., “Effective Microorganisms - A New Dimension for
Nature Farming”, Proceedings of the 2nd International Nature
the study area. It has been found that open dumping which Farming Conference USDA, J.F. Parr et al (Eds.), Washington.
is the crude method of waste disposal is the current 20-22. 1994.
practice followed. Similarly, because of poor waste [9] Jackson, M.L., Soil Chemical Analysis, Prentice Hall of India
management system, the disposal of solid waste is mostly Private Limited, 1st edition, New Delhi, India. 1973.
[10] Kale, R.D and Bano, K., “Earthworm Cultivation and Culturing
along the roads and river banks. Techniques”, Journal of Agricultural Science, 22. 339-344. 1998.
The sorting and segregation of solid waste could be [11] Kaviraj, and Sharma, S., “Municipal Solid Waste Management
done at the house level and it will be easier for Through Vermicomposting Employing Exotic and Local Species
biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste to be of Earthworms”, Bioresearch Technology, 90. 169-173. 2003.
effectively managed. This segregation could also help in [12] Khwairakpam M., and Bhargava R., “Vermitechnology of Sewage
Sludge Recycling”, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 161. 948-954.
resource recovery of some solid waste that could be 2009b.
recycled to produce fertilizers. Aiming at an efficient bio- [13] Lazcano, C., Gómez-Brandón, M., Domínguez J., “Comparison of
transformation of organic wastes, four different treatment the Effectiveness of Composting and Vermicomposting for the
modifications were experimented and changes in the Biological Stabilization of Cattle Manure”, Chemosphere, 72.
1013-1019. 2008.
nutrient value of the compost as composting proceeds at
[14] Ndegwa, P.M., Thompson, S.A., Das, K.C.,” Effects of Stocking
an interval of 15 days until it obtains maturity/stabilization Density and Feeding Rate on Vermicomposting of Biosolids”,
were also evaluated. It revealed that the best quality Bioresour Technol., 71. 5-12. 2000..
compost was obtained in T4. It can be concluded from the [15] Piyadasa, E.R., Attanayake, K.B., Ratnayake, A.D.A., and
result that application of EM solution and subsequent Sangakkara, U.R., “The role of Effective Microorganisms in
Releasing Nutrients from Organic Matter”. Proceedings of 2nd
vermicomposting could significantly reduce the volume of Conference. on Effective Microorganisms, Kyusei Nature Farming
the waste and high nutrient rich compost could be Center, Saraburi, Thailand, 17 –19. Nov. 1993.
obtained. In addition the problem of foul smell or bad [16] Parthasarathi, K., and Ranganathan, L.S., “Longevity of Microbial
odor was completely overcome by this treatment. and Enzyme Activity and Their Influence on NPK Content in
It is highly recommended that the four R’s (Reduce, Pressmud Vermicasts”, Europian journal of Soil Biology, 35(2).
107-113. 1999.
Reuse, Recycle and Restoration) of effective management [17] Rynk, R., Van de Kamp, M., Willson, G.B., Singley, M.E., and
of waste resources should also be implemented for a Richard, T.L., On-Farm Composting Handbook, Northeast
complete solution to the problem. The reuse of certain Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, New York, 186. 1992.
products should also be encouraged. Plastic plates, spoons [18] Sangakkara, U.R., “Effect of EM on the Growth and Yield of
Sweet Potato in Wet and Dry Seasons”. J.F. Parr et al (Eds.),
and cups of good quality used for special occasions could
Proceedings of the 2nd International Nature Farming Conference.
be cleaned and reused instead of being disposed. Finally, USDA, Washington, 102-110. 1994.
to efficiently manage municipal solid waste, there is need [19] Senesi, N.,”Composted Materials as Organic Fertilizers”, Science
for a better initiative and co-operation between the of the Total Environment, 81-82: 521-524. 1989.
95 Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences

[20] Suthar, S., “Nutrient Changes and Biodynamics of Epigeic [22] “United Nations World Urbanization Prospects”, The 2014
Earthworm, Perionyx Excavatus During Recycling of Some Revision, United Nations, Department of Economic and Social
Agricultural Wastes”, Bioresource Tecnology, 98. 1608-1614. Affairs, Population Division. 2014.
2006.
[21] Trivedi, R.K., and Goel, P.K, Chemical and Biological Methods
for Water Pollution, Soil and Plant Analysis, Environment
Publications, Karad, India, 1st edition, 1992.