COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

A REPORT ON
COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO
PREPARED BY
AMIL MEMON (150080717001)
AJAY ANDODARIYA (150080717002)
JAIMIN PATEL (150080717009)
KAUSHAL PATEL (150080717011)
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERIG
In
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

BIRLA VISHVAKARMA MAHAVIDHYALA, V.V.NAGAR

AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTE

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 1

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I owe great many thanks to great many peoples who helped me and supported me during this
project.
Many deepest thanks to Prof. Dr. D. S. Vyas the guide of the project for guiding and correcting
various documents with attention and care. He is taken pain to go through the project and make
necessary corrections as and when needed.
I express my thanks to the Principal of, Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidhyalaya, Dr.F.S.Umrigar foe
extending his support.
My deep sense of gratitude to Mr.Dharmesh Patel and Mr.Krupesh Patel, sanitary supervisor,
Karamsad Nagarpalika for their support and guidance. Thanks and appreciation to the helpful
people at Karamsad Nagarpalika, for their support.
I would also like to thank my team members. Without them support the project would have been
a distant reality.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 2

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

INTRODUCTION
The handling of waste in developing countries is becoming more and more challenging day by
day, as most of the developing countries do not have the technological advancements to deal
with this problem (Korhonen et al., 2004). On the other hand, developed countries have the most
advanced technological alternatives to tackle this issue. Building system according to state-of
the- art within waste management requires stable economy (Liamsanguan et al., 2007).
Waste generation is essential due to discarding of un-wanted materials away for disposal. It is a
continuous activity which is not very controllable. Huge quantities of municipal solid wastes are
generated in all the cities of the world. The volume of municipal solid waste generated varies
with the lifestyle of the people. In 2011, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and
recycled and composted almost 87 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.7 percent
recycling rate. Total MSW generation in 2011 was 250 million tons.
Waste management was categorized in the past as an engineering operation. The flow of
materials and the resulting waste generation is very complex. Sources of solid wastes in a
community are, in general, related to land use. Although some classifications can be developed,
the following categories have been found useful: residential, commercial, institutional,
construction and demolition, municipal services, treatment plant sites, industrial, and
agricultural.
The management of collection waste is most difficult and complex in an urban environment
because the generation of residential and commercial-industrial solid waste and recyclables takes
place in every home, every apartment building, and every commercial and industrial facility, as
well as in the streets, parks, and even vacant areas. As the total quantity of waste increases, the
logistics of collection become more complex. Composition of wastes also differs from locality to
locality. People in a particular locality often have similar background in terms of incomes, laws
and expenditure. In Pakistan strategies are being developed to tackle solid waste management. A
obstacles to this is financial resources. Technologies issues associated with the control of
generation, handling, storage, collection, transfer, transportation, processing, and disposal of
solid waste are other problems. All of these processes have to be carried out within existing legal
and social guidelines that protect the public health and the environment and are aesthetically and
economically acceptable. Waste management is an interdisciplinary problem including
administrative, financial, legal, architectural, planning, and engineering functions. All these
disciplines must communicate and interact with each other in a positive interdisciplinary
relationship for an integrated solid waste management plan to be successful.
In the last few decades, the population, urbanization and economic activities through
industrialization are increasing in India. The quantity and characteristics of solid waste vary to a
significant extent and cannot be attributed to a specific location/ type/ category. The factors that
influence the volume and composition are average level of income, population, social behavior,
BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 3

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

climate, industrial production and market for waste materials. Generation of solid waste is also
reportedly in direct relation to economic wealth1. Variations are also bound occur in composition
of solid waste due to seasonal and location factors.
The various sources of waste generation, composition of solid waste and the need for designing a
strategic plan for solid waste management is needed. Public involvement is important in Norway,
and public awareness is growing in developing a waste management programmed includes,
techniques for the recovery, reuse or recycling of solid waste, techniques of composting, and
how to manage special wastes such as bio-medical waste, plastic, and e-waste.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 4

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN MADURAI
This is analyzes the physical components of the solid waste management prevailing in Madurai
City in terms of collection, transportation, treatment and disposal. The situation analysis
addresses both the qualitative and quantitative aspects in terms of process, mechanism, tools and
equipments used and other related issues. The impacts of the floating population on the system in
terms of quantity and quality of the wastes are also considered for the detailed analysis.
Deficiency analyses are undertaken, comparing the prevailing situation with that of the various
standards/norms available. Finally, the issues and problems related to the various aspects like
collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of the wastes are summarized for necessary
action towards improving the solid waste management in the city.
A detailed understanding and holistic approach to each of the components mentioned above is
very essential to comprehensively address the issues and problems of the solid waste
management system in Madurai.
The existing system of municipal solid waste collection, transportation and disposal is performed
by Corporation of Madurai under the ambit of the Health and Engineering Departments. For the
efficient administration and for day-to-day operational purposes, the town is divided into 4 Zones
covering all the 72 municipal wards.

TYPES AND COMPOSITION OF SOLID WASTE

Madurai, a well known heritage & Tourist centre in Tamil Nadu. Following are the major
sources of generation of solid waste:

Domestic;
Commercial areas and vegetable markets;
Household and other large-scale industries;
Hotels and restaurants;
Health care facilities;
Slaughter house;
Street Sweeping & Construction activities;
Horticultural waste;
Worship places;

About 450 MT of solid waste is generated every day within the administrative jurisdiction of the
Madurai Corporation. A summary of various sources of waste generation in Madurai is shown in
Table 1.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 5

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

Table 1:- SOURCES OF WASTE GENERATION
SOURCE
DOMESTIC
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
SLAUGHTER HOUSES
STREET SWEEPING & CONSTRUCTION
ACTIVITIES
TOTAL

QUANTITY
TONS/DAY
PERCENT
288.00
64.00
108.00
24.00
5.00
1.11
1.50
0.33
5.00
1.11
42.50
9.44
450.00

100.00

DOMESTIC
Waste Generation from households comprising vegetable waste, food waste, paper, packing
material, glasses, metals etc., in Madurai is estimated at 288 tons per day which constitutes
nearly 64 percent of the total waste generation.
COMMERCIAL WASTE
Commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants, shops, trading units, small time streettraders, wedding halls and related generate solid waste which mainly comprises of paper,
plastics, food leftovers, vegetables rejects and other inorganic material. Madurai has
approximately 25 daily markets and 2 weekly markets. The total quantum of waste generated
from these sources is 108.00 tons per day, which constitutes about 24 percent of the total waste
generated. Waste collection in the market areas and the bus stand are managed by means of
contract employees.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
The industrial waste from the existing units is not mixed with the municipal waste other than
package material and food waste generated from the human activities.
BIO-MEDICAL WASTE
Corporation of Madurai maintains few health Centre and maternity homes. In addition, Madurai
consists of large private hospitals and health care institutions generating nearly 1.50 tons of biomedical grade waste. Bio medical waste from private hospitals are collected and disposed
separately through common treatment facility installed and operated by the private facilitator.
Survey of the Vellakkal Dumping site has revealed that large quantity of biomedical has been
already dumped for years together. At present Government hospitals and Corporation Hospitals
are disposing the bio-medical waste in the Vellakkal site. Government and corporation hospitals
are also likely to join with this facility for the safe transportation, treatment and disposal as laid
down in biomedical waste rules. Once these are diverted the entire bio-medical waste generated
in Madurai Corporation will be disposed only through common facility exclusively installed with
the support of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 6

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

WASTE FROM OTHER SOURCES
The municipality also collects waste generated from street sweeping, drain desilting and
construction. The quantity of solid waste generated from the above sources is of the order of 36
tons per day which is about 8 percent of the total waste generation, excluding construction debris
which is approximately 7.5 tons per day.

OBSERVATIONS

The major source of waste generation in the city was the households, generating over
three-fifth of the total wastes generated in the city, followed by the shops and commercial
establishments generating little less than one-fifth of the total wastes generated in the
city;
There is no industrial waste (large-scale industries) added to the municipal waste, as the
industries are disposing commercially or stored with in the premises to dispose it as per
the direction of TNPCB board;
Waste generated by the hospitals and clinics is relatively low compared to the total waste
generated in the city; and this will not be under the municipal solid waste management
The waste generated by the floating population is variable and high during festival
seasons.

SOLID WASTE COMPOSITION

Characterization of solid waste for physical and chemical constituents is furnished below. It can
be observed that approximately 68.42 percent waste comprises organic waste, while the rest is
non-degradable (Silt, Paper, Plastic, Glass, etc.). Silt is about 30 percent of total waste. Details
are presented in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2:- WASTE CHARACTERIZATION - PHYSICAL
Components
Organic waste
Banana leaves & stem
Food & vegetable waste
Leaves & branches of wood
Coconut husk
Fish waste
Papers
Gunny bags
Paddy straw
Baggage
Cow dung
Sub total
Inorganic waste
Inorganic silt
Plastic
BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

% by weight
0.35
53.37
8.57
0.70
1.32
1.33
0.12
1.47
0.26
0.90
68.42
30.13
0.75
Page 7

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

Textile waste
Rubbers
Metals
Glass
Total
Grand total

0.36
0.08
0.09
0.17
31.58
100.00

Table 3:- WASTE CHARACTERIZATION - CHEMICAL

ELEMENT
UNIT
VALUE
Moisture
Percent
50.70
Net V.S
Percent
17.31
Ash
Percent
30.70
Coal
Percent
1.29
Sulphate
mg per kg
3000
Phosphate
mg per kg
1457
Chloride
mg per kg
1499
N.P.K
mg per kg
1105
Sodium
mg per kg
1302
Potassium
mg per kg
3315
Calcium
mg per kg
5600

SOLID WASTE GENERATION

Solid waste management as seen from the perspective of local authorities includes the activities
of collection of domestic solid waste, either through door-to-door or neighborhood collection,
transportation and disposal of solid waste (usually in dumpsites) (Baud et al., 2004). However,
solid waste is mainly collected by municipalities and waste collection efficiencies range from 0
percent in low-income rural areas to 90 percent in high income areas of large cities.
Based on the present level of MSW generation of 450 tons per day and present stage (2006)
population as projected in CDP for Madurai, the average per capita generation is 0.334 kg/day.
The estimated range of municipal solid waste generation per CPHEEO norms is between 0.270
to 0.35 kg/per capita/day. Recent waste sampling and testing has arrived at an average waste
generation (city-level) of approximately 0.380 kg/capita/day which has been used for design of
the proposed components including waste processing and landfill.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 8

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

PRESENT ORGANIZATION STRENGTH:-

There are about 2516 Sanitary Workers out of sanctioned strength of 2700 workers, operating
under the supervision of 39 Sanitary Inspectors out of 84 sanctioned strength, 25 Conservancy
Inspectors out of 72 sanctioned strength and 72 Sanitary Supervisors out of 110 sanctioned
strength. Four Circle Sanitary Officers are responsible for overall supervision of the team
mentioned earlier. The City Health Officer in turn heads the Local Body in coordination with the
Sanitary Division is responsible for the MSW Management System and general civic hygiene
and sanitation.

STORAGE AT SOURCE

Storage of waste at source is not practiced in a scientific manner in accordance with CPHEEO
norms. Waste is thrown onto streets, drains and in some cases water bodies and low-lying areas
due to absence of effective door to door collection mechanism.
There is a partial and rudimentary system of door-to-door collection which is being practiced in
one or two wards. Unsegregated waste is collected with the help of push car and tri-cycles and
emptied into the waste bins placed within the wards at specific locations.
BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 9

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

Construction/demolition wastes are also generated in the city to a significant extent from repair,
maintenance and reconstruction activities. Construction related waste is deposited, after
salvaging useful material, on the periphery of the roads abutting the dwellings, low lying areas
and small quantities were also found along with the garbage at vellakal dumping site.
During survey of the existing system, it was observed that containers/bins of sufficient capacity
and numbers has not been provided at strategic locations for receipt and storage of domestic,
trade and institutional waste
Essentially, segregation of waste into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable material
is not in practice.

PRIMARY COLLECTION SYSTEM

Existing system of MSW collection is performed by the ULB with the help of hand-carts and tricycles. Waste collected through this equipment is then transferred to open bins and closed
dumper placer bins for secondary collection and onward transportation. About 400 to 450 MT of
waste is collected on a daily basis based on records available at the dumping ground weight
bridge.

Presently, collection is managed by a combination of municipal sanitary and contractual

laborers. MSW collection in slums is handled by Self Help Groups (SHGs) to a moderate
extent. An assortment of vehicles has been deployed by Madurai Corporation for primary
collection. Nearly 135 Tricycles (Capacity - 200 kg/unit) and 225 Hand/Push Carts (Capacity
100 kg/unit) are utilized for the aforementioned purpose. Additionally, 57 Auto- Minidoors, 37
Tractors on contract basis are utilized for collection and transfer of waste to the collection for
onward transportation and disposal.
There are 285 Dumper Bins with a total capacity of approximately 285 to 300 tons placed
at specific collection points. street sweeping is done around the temple area, the core area, and
some markets and around bus stand and commercial areas within the city.
Efforts in privatization of collection have been made through employing of contract workers and
collection of waste from bus stand and other commercial areas. Private sector involvement of
household waste collection is under active consideration by the Corporation. Presently, the
Corporation has also engaged 70 contractual laborers for waste collection from markets and bus
stand. The Corporation has appointed 12 SHGs, comprising of 240 workers for primary
collection operations. The Corporation has also engaged 200 contract workers for waste
transportation.
Sanitary workers sweep the streets and collect garbage in heaps and transfer the same into bins
provided for the purpose. Dual Dumper Placer vehicles are then used to convey the garbage from
the collection point to the disposal site.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 10

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

STREET SWEEPING

Street sweeping and drain cleaning are regular function of the Corporation and the supervisory
mechanism is a critical area identified for improvement in order to achieve the 100% coverage.
SOURCES OF STREET WASTES
The major sources of street wastes in Corporation included:
Natural waste comprising dust blown from unpaved areas, decaying vegetation like fallen
leaves, blossoms and seeds originated from trees and plants,
Road traffic waste like oil, rubber, accidental spillage of load of vehicles in addition to the
construction wastes and animal droppings of related vehicles.
Behavioral wastes include litter thrown by pedestrians, households, establishments and
tourists along with human spittle and excrement of domestic pets.
Storm Water Drains/Sewer Cleaning wastes.
From the observations made on-site, the natural wastes and road & traffic wastes are unavoidable
and to be cleaned by street sweeping process. However, the behavioral wastes are largely
avoidable provided an efficient refuse collection service if in operation for the use of pedestrians.
But it was evident from the observation during the field visit that the success was requiring a
continuing program of public education and awareness backed by legislation and efficiently
operating enforcement measures.
SWEEPING PROCESS
The process of street sweeping of waste is still in primitive nature in the city. The Sanitary
Workers are found sweeping the streets using brooms to make small heaps of solid waste. These
heaps of solid waste are then taken to nearest temporary waste storage point in
wheelbarrows/baskets.
In most cases, one Sanitary Worker is found sweeping and making the heap and another lifting
the same using wheelbarrows/baskets and taking it to the nearest temporary waste storage point.
Apart from these, there are many undesignated open yards across the city where Sanitary
Workers are found collecting/sweeping the waste during early hours of morning and making
heaps for subsequent transportation.
Madurai also attracts a significant floating population due to its Heritage & Tourism importance,
presence of High Court (Madurai Bench), Administrative status and the vibrant economic base.
The floating population of Madurai is one of the principal generator of solid waste that requires
cleaning and removal.
It is observed that all roads and streets are not being swept on daily basis. In practice, certain
important roads and markets are swept daily, some are swept on alternate days or twice a week,
some are swept occasionally or not at all due to options of adequate number of sanitary workers
and supporting machineries.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 11

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

STREET SWEEPING TIME

The street sweeping work is expected to be carried out from 7.00 am to 11.00 am and 2.00 pm to
5.00 pm. Generally, street sweeping is done only once in a day during morning for 3-4 hours and
afternoon hours are utilized for pinpoint operations.
Sweeping in commercial areas is found carried out during night hours and in some places
during early hours.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS

The Sanitary Workers of the Corporation are provided with the tools/equipments like brooms,
bamboo sticks, metal scrapers, wheelbarrows/ baskets and shovels for the street cleansing
operation.
The broom is made of bunch of sticks obtained from coconut leaves. The broom is costing
around Rs. 20 per kilogram and is provided once in a month at the rate of one kilogram per
Sanitary Worker.
A bamboo stick is also provided along with a metal strap fixed on one end and bunch of broom
on the other side. Bamboo stick is provided at the rate of one unit per annum. Generally, short
but vigorous strokes are given while sweeping and heavy silt gets dislodged when greater effort
is exerted. However, it is strenuous for the worker and large amount of dust is air-borne during
sweeping, posing a public health risk.
A wheelbarrow is used to carry street sweepings to the nearest temporary waste storage points. In
some areas street sweeping are collected and taken to container/bins through baskets.
In large container bins are overloaded or waste are spilled during unloading from wheel barrow/
baskets resulting to unhygienic conditions around the storage container locations.
Although the above system has been operating since last few decades, it is very common to see
solid waste in various places of the city especially in commercial areas. The reasons being:
Behavioral pattern of the local inhabitants and floating population,
Solid waste thrown by the shop keepers,
Organic wastes from domestic and stray animals spread mainly in commercial areas,
Wastes produced by the street hawkers and road side vegetable vendors and
Wastes generated from various small eateries.
To effectively manage the above, there is an immediate need for evolving an efficient system of
collection of waste per applicable norms and operate the same in a organized manner.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 12

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

COLLECTION BINS FOR SECONDARY TRANSPORTATION

Corporation has provided three types of temporary waste storage points within its jurisdiction;
viz. (i) MS Waste Containers, (ii) MS Dumper Bins and (iii) Stainless Steel Dumper Bins. These
storage points are not only facilitating the residents to deposit the wastes in these storage points
but also enabled the municipal Sanitary Workers to carry and deposit the wastes swept by them.
MS WASTE CONTAINERS: These containers are made of MS Sheet of 14 Gauge with a
volumetric capacity of 10.3 cu. m.
STAINLESS STEEL DUMPER BINS: The Stainless Steel Open Containers is relatively small
in size but large in numbers. These containers are designed for a volumetric capacity of 2.75 cu.
m. These containers are cast with bottom to facilitate easy unloading of wastes from the
containers for onward loading to the transport vehicles.
There are about 285 containers (including both types) at the city level for storage of the collected
waste. It is observed that the MS Containers are placed along main and important locations. The
MS and Stainless Steel Dumper Bins are placed in other areas within the city.
The containers are placed along the roadsides at a spacing of about 600 to 700 m, barring thickly
developed residential areas where the spacing is less than 500 m. Where the residential areas
sparsely developed as group of houses, the spacing of these containers is more than 700 m and
in some cases, interspacing of up to a kilometer.

WASTE TRANSPORTATION AT DUMPING SITE

The main objective of transportation is to clear waste from the city and dispose it off at the
disposal site. It is the responsibility of the local body to ensure the city is maintained in a
hygienic manner by transporting the wastes from the collection and temporary storage points to
the waste processing and disposal facility with the help of transportation fleet. The movement of
wastes from the households, street sweepings, etc. to the temporary storage collection points is
the collective responsibility of the Sanitary Workers and the citizens of the city. Transportation
of waste involves the following activities:
Movement of vehicles to the various temporary storage points;
Manual loading of wastes using baskets and other lifting tools;
Lifting of wastes from the open yards on the way to the disposal site; and
Transportation to the disposal site.
Synchronization of the whole operation of collection of waste with the transportation for
effective management of the waste and for achieving cost efficiency in the process is required.
As specified above, transfer of waste to the collection points is done by ULB owned hand carts,
tricycles and rented vehicles like Auto-Minidors, which is further taken to dumping site by
means of ULB owned vehicles (Lorries and Dumper Placers) and through rented vehicles
(Tractors).

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 13

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

Transportation of waste from the collection points to the final disposal site at Vellakkal is
managed by 30 ULB owned vehicles and 74 hired vehicles. The ULB manages to collect and
transport approximately 400 to 450 MT of waste to the disposal site, based o varying number of
trips assigned and undertaken by these vehicles

PROCESS OF TRANSPORTATION OF WASTE

Madurai Corporation has adopted both closed and open transport system for transporting the
wastes from the temporary storage points to the disposal site. Wastes are collected from various
Dumper Bins and loaded to the Dumper Placers hydraulically. The operations of the Dumper
Bins are found effective and efficient, and meeting the requirements outlined in the best
practices. However, wastes from MS Open Containers and open collection points are loaded to
the transport vehicle (tractor-trolleys and push carts) manually. Manual loading is found to be
time consuming and reducing the productivity of the vehicles and manpower deployed for the
purpose. Further, manual loading and handling of wastes are posing threat to the health of
Sanitary Workers, as the wastes are found highly contaminated. As a result, the waste is
generally seen lying in heaps or scattered at the unscientifically designed temporary waste
storage.
FREQUENCY OF TRANSPORTATION OF WASTES
The solid waste stored in the temporary storage points (containers) and open yards along the
route is transported to the disposal site every day from the prime residential areas, commercial
streets, places of public gathering like railway station, bus stand, etc. The wastes from other
residential areas (North Zone) are transported to the disposal yard at times on an alternative day
basis and from the remote and isolated residential areas every third day or so. The local body
clears the waste in two shifts per day.
ROUTING OF VEHICLES
Transportation network is not designed properly so as to suite the current requirements. It is
observed that these vehicles collect waste from each collection point every alternative day,
especially in residential areas. These sites are often attended to more on the basis of the
complaints received than following a system of regular removal of waste from temporary
collection points. Several temporary storage points are not cleared on a day-to-day basis. This
backlog of unserved containers continues to build up during rest of the week.
From the discussions, it is also observed that each vehicle has been assigned specific routes for
the operation. However, the non-operation of certain vehicles due to repairs and maintenance
forces diversion of the vehicles from their regular designated routes impinging adversely on the
whole transport operation. Therefore, there is a clear need to workout routing pattern for each
vehicle so as to transport the solid waste within 24 hours of its generation. It is also very
essential to have spare vehicles and/or arrangement for hiring of vehicles whenever required.
Maintenance of logbooks for the vehicles is also very essential to make the staff engaged in
transportation accountable for the operation.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 14

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

WORKSHOP FACILITIES
The ULB does not maintain a dedicated workshop facility. From discussions held with ULB
officials, it is observed that the repairs and maintenance of the other vehicles (tractor trolleys,
both manual and hydraulic) are undertaken in select private workshops. The expenses in this
regard are met through the provisions under the contingencies. However, if the vehicle requires
major repairs, administrative sanction is required from the Corporation.
PRESENT SYSTEM OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
Solid wastes collected from various locations in the city is disposed off by open dumping at the
Vellakkal site, located south of Madurai in Avaniyapuram Municipality over an extent of
approximately 110 acres including a sewage farm that receives sewage/ partially treated effluent
from the predominantly deficient sewage treatment plant. The existing dumping ground has been
reportedly used by Madurai Corporation for over 15 years. A weigh bridge is available at the
entry to the dump site which essentially records the vehicle details and weight of the incoming
waste and source. Recently, the MC has reviewed its agreement with the IMA to ensure that BioMedical Waste generated from Govt. and Corporation Hospitals will be properly segregated
from MSW for treatment and disposal through common facility. Pursuant to implementation of
the disposal system through common facility for biomedical (contaminated) wastes, such wastes
would not reach the Vellakkal site. At present, Madurai Corporation do not have waste
processing facility at the disposal site.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 15

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN OSLO, NORWAY

The above figure shows that the waste management processes in Oslo and manner in which raw
materials are used Waste are divided into domestic waste and Industrial waste. These waste
materials are recycled and reused. As per the website information from the Oslo Kommune, solid
waste management is done in a systematic manner.
Food waste becomes bio fertilizer and fuel for cars and buses. The plastic packaging becomes
new plastic products like toys, chairs and fleece jackets.
Residual waste from the every household in Oslo is put in three different color bags: white bag
for residual waste; food waste goes in green bags; plastic waste in blue bags. And then the waste
is collected in a container and put to recycle depending on the color of the bags.
According to the study carried out by Climate Leadership Group, the Waste Management
Strategy (WMS) builds on national strategies and promotes the waste management hierarchy.
The hierarchy says the priorities are:
1. Waste reduction - prevent production of waste
2. Re-use of objects
3. Recycling (Material recovery)
4. Incineration with energy recovery (Waste-to-Energy)
5. Landfill (for inert waste only)
Incineration and landfill are seen as the least desirable forms of waste management and represent
the last resort within Oslos strategy.
As such, a large part of the WMS concentrates on the behavioral habits of citizens; an attitude
change must take place, if citizens are to carry out waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 16

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

TYPES AND COMPOSITION OF SOLID WASTE

In Oslo, about 340 000 households generate annual waste of about 240 000 tonnes of this, about
114 000 tonnes of residual waste and 40 000 tonnes of paper is collected. In 2011, 392 kg of
waste per person was produced, of which about 33 % was recycled. The city has a goal to
increase the percentage of recycling (material recovery) to 50 % in 2014. Incineration with
energy recovery was 60 % in 2011. Every week, the city empties about 130 000 bins 7 million
per year.
The amount of total municipal waste per capita was in 467 kg in 2007 as explained in Table 2.2
this number includes commercial waste 56kg per capita and household waste 413 kg per capita.
Therefore, the amount of total household waste per capita increased from 407kg in 2004 to
413kg in 2007. In 2007 five percent of total household waste was sent to landfill (Table 2.3).
From the municipal waste, the percentage of recycled waste in was 23% and from that 34%
consisted with papers; in the form of cardboard, cartons and drink cartons and 66%was the
garden waste. The garden waste produced is composted, sorted infractions and sold at the
recycling centers. The Oslo city has two incineration plants. The incineration capacity for both
plants are 260 000 tons of waste per year. Together the two plants produce energy, heating and
electricity, in total equaling the requirements of 10% of the households in the city. The Oslo city
has closed the landfills within the city, and soil is accepted for covering.
Table:- The connection between municipal waste and treatment in 2007 (Richelsen, 2008)
Type of waste
Garden waste
Paper
Residential waste
Combustible
Non-combustible
Other

Quantity of waste
(ton)
2779
4416
22077
991
705
1064

Treatment

Percent (%)

Material Recovery

23

Energy Recovery

72

Landfill

Table:-The connection between household waste and treatment in 2007 (Richelsen, 2008)
Type of waste
Paper
Garden waste
Glass/Metal
Residual waste
Combustible
Non- Combustible
Other

Quantity of waste
(ton)
41771
11405
9360
125841
21461
10548
6497

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Treatment

Percent (%)

Material Recovery

29

Energy Recovery

66

Landfill

5
Page 17

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

WASTE GENERATION AND COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION,
TREATMENT SYSTEM
In 2011, about 240,000 tonnes household waste was collected and of this 1% was reused, 33%
recycled, 60% energy recovered and only 6% went to landfill. The municipality has had sole
responsibility for the collection of all household waste since 1932. Since 1993, this organization
has outsourced services. Commercial waste operators carry out collection services on 5-year
contracts. From 2006, the city has had a Waste Management Strategy that sets ambitious targets
for sorting of plastic packaging and food waste. A minimum of 50 % of the household waste
shall be recycled within 2014. All hazardous waste shall be collected and treated securely. This
strategy aims to establish a recycle and reuse society.
Sorting of materials must take place not only at recycling stations, but also in kitchens, living
rooms and offices. Collaborations with voluntary organizations, awareness raising campaigns, all
aim to enable citizens to implement the strategy. In addition, the city is encouraging developers
to install pneumatic waste collection services and thus reduce the need for truck-based
collections. The producer pays principle is also being promoted with regard to consumer
packaging.
To streamline the process of SWM the food waste and plastic packaging are done at source by17,
000 households in October, 2009. Other households have joined slowly after June 2012. Plastic
packaging is deposited in blue bags while food waste goes in green bags. Residual waste is to be
discarded in other plastic bags (from grocery stores etc.). All bags are discarded into the same
waste containers. The colored bags are separated from each other in optical sorting plants
In Oslo region a pilot project started in 2009 regarding sorting two new fractions in kitchen unit.
Plastic packaging material and organic waste sorted in dedicated colored bags and put in bin
together with the residual waste. These colored bags are later separated in the plants based on
optical sorting, and organic waste is sent for biological treatment in a biogas power plant.
Municipal waste is fed into hopper from the waste bunker, and as it moves through the
combustion chamber on the grate, energy is recovered Energy is distributed to 20000 homes
(approximately 5GW) from the plant. By increasing the incineration capacity the amount
renewable energy increased by 13 % whereas the amount of waste sent to landfill was reduced
based on strategy. Cinder produced by incineration was 1997 about 21 % and in 2003 it reduced
by 16 %. This reduction is mainly due to the possibility to extract non magnetic metals in
addition to magnetic from the cinder.
TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTE
There are three large MSW combustion plants in Oslo, which have permit under the Pollution
Control Act for accepting waste for incineration. One of the plants is Haraldrud, completed in
1988. Haraldrud has two almost identical combustion lines which are operated by EGE. The
energy produced by the combustion plant is mainly used in the district heating systems to heat up
buildings in Oslo. 100.000 tons of waste is incinerated at the plant and 235.000 MW is sold to
the district heating system each year. The main objectives for Haraldrud are to incinerate as

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 18

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

much waste as possible with as little pollution as possible. It is therefore important to optimize
the combustion process so the right amount of waste and air is supplied to the combustion.
INCINERATION OF WASTE
Two waste-to-energy plants incinerate residual waste from the city, with a capacity of 410,000
tonnes of waste per year. The Klemetsrud plant was extended by a third incineration line in 2010.
The energy is used for district heating (hot water) and electricity. The total energy production is
about 840 GWh heat and 160 GWh electricity per year. The heat energy meets the need of about
84 000 households through the district heating system, while the produced electricity is delivered
to the city schools. Norway has banned the deposition of biodegradable waste in landfills from
2009, yet in Oslo, this target was met in 2002. The city landfill site closed in 2007. Landfill gas
from earlier deposits is collected and used for production of electric energy, delivered to the
schools of Oslo.
WASTE INCINERATION TO DISTRICT HEATING (EGE ,2012).
District heating plant is, simply put, a centrally located heating plant supplying buildings or
neighborhoods with hot water for heating and tap water. The district heating production in Oslo
is expanding. EGE delivers 50 percent of the current energy need in the district heating system.
The energy produced at the EGE plants is used to heat water which is sent into the district
heating network owned by Hafslund. The water is transported in pipes to district heating
customers in Oslo. Previously, Oslo used to have two separate district heating networks, but
these are now connected with a 13.6 kilometer long transition pipe between Klemetsrud and the
city centre. In order for an end-user to make use of district heating, the building or house needs
to have pipes for water-based heating. The energy is transferred from the district heating water to
the customers heating system through recuperative heat exchangers. The district heating
network in Oslo is continuously being expanded. In the years to come, there will be large
expansion activities in the following city areas: Oppsal, Manglerud, Ammerud, Sagene/Torshov,
Frogner/Majorstua and Ensjo.
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
A new biological treatment plant is being constructed in Nes municipality, north-east of Oslo.
The plant will produce both biogas and bio fertilizer from Oslos food waste. The biogas will be
used as a green fuel for buses and waste trucks, and the bio fertilizer will be used by local
farmers. Until the new plant opens, the food waste is sent to biogas plants in Sweden. The biogas
plant will have the capacity to handle 50 000 tonnes of food waste per year, which will make it
possible to treat food waste from other municipalities, business and industry as well as from
households in Oslo. Biogas from one kilo food waste equals about 0.13 L petrol, which means
that a bus can drive about 500 meters on 2 kilos of food waste. The biogas plant will produce
about 4,5 million Nm3 upgraded biogas and 90 000 m3 bio fertilizer (liquid) per year. These
amounts will be enough to run about 150 buses on biogas and provide about 100 medium-sized
farms with bio fertilizer yearly. Presently in public buses there have been advertisements to
promote sorting of food waste from other waste for all the users. The big thing is that all the

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 19

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

advertisements are in multi-lingual languages so that immigrant communities also understands
the importance of recycling and acts accordingly.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 20

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

COMPARISION
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
1) MADURAI :Madurai is a major city and cultural headquarters in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern
India. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and the 31st largest urban
agglomeration in India.
Madurai is the second largest city by area and third largest city by population in Tamil
Nadu & Located on the banks of River Vaigai, Madurai has been a major settlement for
two millennia and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
2) OSLO :The City of Oslo is the capital of Norway and can trace its history back to around the year
1000 A.D. The City is situated at the northern end of the Oslo Fjord, and is surrounded by
forests to the north and east. The City has ca. 550 000 inhabitants, and is growing fast. The
Oslo region comprises ca. 1 million inhabitants.
The Oslo Municipality area is 454 km2, of which 2/3 is covered by forest and lakes. The City
has a parliamentary political system, and is ruled by a City Commission and a City Council.
The Chief Commissioner is the highest ranking politician of Oslo.

METHODOLOGY

METHODS FOR DATA COLLECTION

The in-depth study of the solid waste management systems of these two main cities (like Oslo,
Norway and Madurai, India) was carried out by collection of information from published reports,
documents from their official websites and authentic published reports.

This research will be based on narrative literature or secondary sources collected from the
library, internet, and online video clips. The literature including, journals and articles,
books, and official websites of different institutions and the government of Norway and
India.

The Qualitative date analysis has been performed by comparing the different solid waste
management activities from the two big cities of two different countries.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 21

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

COMPARISON OF TYPE AND COMPOSITION
TYPE AND COMPOSITION OF WASTE IN MADURAI
Composition of wastes also differs from locality to locality. People in a particular locality often
have similar background in terms of incomes, laws and expenditure. Waste is categorized on the
basis of source rather than type. Between 65-70% of waste in Madurai is composed of organic
waste. The composition of solid waste in Madurai contains around 8-9% recyclables, such as
plastic, paper, glass and metal. There is no regulation on recyclables or recycling in Madurai, and
the formal sector is not actually involved in recycling.
The waste include important components vegetable and fruit dust, dirt, ashes, leaves, grasses and
straw, The Organic components constitute 68.42% of organic waste in which food and vegetable
waste are 53.37% and other leaves, fish waste, cow dung, bags etc. constitutes about 15.05%.
TYPE AND COMPOSITION OF WASTE IN OSLO
Residual waste from the every household in Oslo is put in three different color bags: white bag
for residual waste; food waste goes in green bags; plastic waste in blue bags. And then the waste
is collected in a container and put to recycle depending on the color of the bags.
In Oslo, about 340 000 households generate annual waste of about 240 000 tones, of this about
114 000 tones of residual waste and 40 000 tonnes of paper is collected. In 2011, 392 kg of waste
per person was produced, of which about 33 % was recycled. The city has a goal to increase the
percentage of recycling (material recovery) to 50 % in 2014 (C40 cities, 2012).
The amount of total municipal waste per capita was in 467 kg in 2007 (do not correspond to the
figure above); this number includes commercial waste 56kg per capita and household waste 413
kg per capita. Therefore, the amount of total household waste per capita increased from 407 kg in
2004 to 413kg in 2007. In 2007 five percent of total household waste was sent to landfill. The
amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill was 0.1% of total household waste (when). From
the municipal waste, the percentage of recycled waste was 23% and from that 34% consisted of
papers; in the form of cardboard, cartons and drink cartons and 66% was the garden waste. The
garden waste is composted, sorted in infractions and sold at the recycling centers.

WASTE COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL

PROCEDURE
1. MADURAI :In Madurai Municipal solid waste is collected by ULB (Urban Local Bodies) with the help of
hand-carts and tri-cycles. It concerns waste from households or domestic (about 64% of total
waste), commercial (about 24% of total waste), industrial, healthcare facilities, slaughter houses,
street sweeping and construction materials.
BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 22

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

The corporation has also engaged 70 contractual laborers for waste collection of waste from bus
stand and markets. More than 240 waste collectors in the city of Madurai are employed for the
primary collection of waste and corporation also engaged 200 contract workers for waste
transportation.
Due to a variety of factors such as insufficient waste collection points, lack of equipment,
unavailability of sanitary landfills, lack of resources, and communities reluctance to pay for
collection fees, waste management has become a major challenge and even the collected waste is
often improperly disposed along roadsides and dumping sites. The corporation transporting the
waste from temporary storage points to the disposal sites.
The studies have shown that there is an estimated organic content over 60% on Madurais solid
waste presenting an opportunity to sustainability reduce the waste. This represents an
opportunity for composting.
The solid waste collected from the city and waste is disposed off by opening dumping at the
Vellakkal site, located south of Madurai in Avaniyapuram of over 110 acres including sewage
farm that receives sewage/ partially treated effluent from the predominantly deficient sewage
treatment plant. The existing dumping ground has been reportedly used by Madurai Corporation
for over 15 years. A weigh bridge is available at the entry to the dump site which essentially
records the vehicle details and weight of the incoming waste and source.
2. OSLO
In 2011, about 240,000 tonnes household waste was collected and of this 1% was reused, 33%
recycled, 60% energy recovered and only 6% went to landfill. In the Oslo region a pilot project
started in 2009 to sort two fractions of kitchen waste. Plastic packaging material and organic
waste were sorted in colored bags and put in bin together with the residual waste. These colored
bags were later separated in the plants based on optical sorting, and organic waste was sent to
biological treatment in a biogas power plant. Municipal waste is fed into hopper from the waste
bunker, and it moves through the combustion chamber on the grate, energy recovered and
distributed to 20000 homes (approximately 5GW). By increasing the incineration capacity the
amount renewable energy increased by 13 % whereas the amount of waste sent to landfill was
reduced based on strategy. Cinder produced by incineration was 1997 about 21 % and in 2003 it
reduced by 16 %.
There are three large MSW combustion plants in Oslo. One of the plants is Haraldrud, completed
in 1988.The energy produced by the combustion plant is mainly used in the district heating
systems to heat up buildings in Oslo. 100.000 tons of waste is incinerated at the plant and
235.000 MW is sold to the district heating system each year.
Two waste-to-energy plants incinerate residual waste from the city, with a capacity of 410,000
tonnes of waste per year. The Klemetsrud plant was extended by a third incineration line in 2010.
The total energy production is about 840 GW heat and 160 GW electricity per year. The heat
energy meets the need of about 84 000 households through the district heating system. Norway
BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 23

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

has banned the deposition of biodegradable waste in landfills from 2009, yet in Oslo, this target
was met in 2002. The city landfill site closed in 2007. Landfill gas from earlier deposits is
collected and used for production of electric energy, delivered to the schools of Oslo. EGE
delivers 50 percent of the current energy need in the district heating system. The energy
produced at the EGE plants is used to heat water which is sent into the district heating network
owned by Hafslund.
A new biological treatment plant is being constructed in Nes municipality, north-east of Oslo.
The plant will produce both biogas and bio fertilizer from Oslos food waste. The biogas will be
used as a green fuel for buses and waste trucks, and the bio fertilizer will be used by local
farmers. Until the new plant opens, the food waste is sent to biogas plants in Sweden. The biogas
plant will have the capacity to handle 50 000 tonnes of food waste per year, The biogas plant will
produce about 4,5 million Nm3. Upgraded biogas and 90 000 m3 bio fertilizer (liquid) per year.
These amounts will be enough to run about 150 buses on biogas and provide about 100 medium
sized farms with bio fertilizer yearly.
TABLE:- COMPARISION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OF OSLO AND
MADURAI
OSLO
Solid waste management is systematically
sorted out with food waste going in green
bags, other waste from the household in
blue bags.
Oslo methodology is Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle.

MADURAI
Madurai there exist no mechanism for
sorting out food waste from normal waste
produced from households.

Madurai methodology has not yet

implemented principle of reduce, reuse and
recycle.
The waste management strategy reduce There is no policy document to reduce CO2
CO2 emission.
levels.
Bio gas is being produced from sewage
Bio gas stage has not reached
sludge in Oslo.
Waste generates energy for winter months Madurai has dumping sites, where solid
for Oslo.
waste is dumped in the land fill sites
causing major hazards to the environment
Civic institutions are stronger and work
Civic institutions are not interested in
in tandem with private players.
issues of Solid waste management.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 24

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

CONCLUSION
We have lack of awareness, planning as well as lesser political will responsible for poor waste
management system in Madurai. There is inadequate resources and unskilled manpower which
are too a barrier for development of a sustainable integrated waste management system. Added
to this, there is unavailability of data on solid waste in India. Accurate data on waste generation,
its characteristics and the environmental effects of its land disposal is the most important
information required for future planning. The need is for apt policies combined with effectively
implemented regulations which shall show a positive direction towards waste management. Then
the improved waste management practices would provide stimulus towards environmental, social
and financial benefits.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 25

COMPARISION OF MSWM SYSTEM OF MADURAI AND OSLO

REFERENCES:Aschehoug and Gyldendal. (2013). Norwegian Encyclopedia / Asbjrn Vinjar
Baud, I. S. A., Post, J., & Furedy, C. (Eds.). (2004). Solid waste management and recycling:
actors, partnerships and policies in Hyderabad, India and Nairobi, Kenya (Vol. 76).
Kluwer Academic Pub.
C40 cities. (2012). Waste Management System, Climate Leadership Group, Oslo, Norway.
Accessed date: 09-12-2013. http://c40.org/media/case_studies/waste-management-system
Cointreau-Levine, S. (1994). Private sector participation in municipal solid waste services in
developing countries (Vol. 1). Urban Management Programme.
EIONET. (2012). Factsheet for Norway, European Topic Centre on Sustainable Consumption
and Production.
http://scp.eionet.europa.eu/facts/factsheets_waste/2009_edition/factsheet?country=NO
Environment Norway. (2013). Waste, State of Environment Norway. Accessed date: 09-122013. http://www.environment.no/Topics/Waste/
Gudim, S. J. (2011). Haraldrud Municipal Solid Waste Combustion Plant in Oslo: Optimizing,
Stabilizing and Modeling the Combustion Process (Doctoral dissertation, Norwegian
University of Science and Technology).

Paul, P. Appasamy and Prakash Nelliyat, 2007. Financing Solid Waste Management:
Issues and Options, Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Solid
Waste Management, 5-7, Chennai, India. pp: 537-542.
Journal of solid waste management for Madurai Corporation, TAMILNADU.

BVM ENGINEERING COLLEGE V.V.NAGAR

Page 26