Characterization and Statistical Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste for Recognising Suitable Waste Management Approach: A Case Study in the Semi-Urban Region of Thanamandi, J&K, India

Abstract

Solid waste is any material that is solid and has been discarded by the owner or user for being useless. According to estimates, 2.24 billion tonnes of solid garbage will be produced worldwide and 6–8 tonnes in the study area by the year 2024. Therefore, it is important to manage solid waste in a scientific manner. Thus, this study aims are to estimate the MSW generation rate in Thanamandi town, including the composition and statically represent the data obtained and possible solid waste management approach. It has been observed from the obtained result that 0.44kg per/c/day of solid waste has been generated from the study area out which vegetable waste is maximum followed by food waste and plastic. The obtained results of characterization of solid waste further used for development of interpolation maps. It suggested that recyclable waste has been generated in the area where high income group people are living in comparison to moderate- or lower-income groups. In addition, statistical analysis shows strong interrelation between vegetable and food waste as well as paper waste and plastic waste. Thus, to manage solid waste in the study area a holistic approach to solid waste management is required to deal with mixture of vegetable and food waste i.e., organic matter.