BITS PILANI, PILANI CAMPUS, DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT

MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION (MBA G531)

Feasibility study on dry waste and wet waste segregation in BITS Pilani

Date: 23rd November 2016

Presented to:
Dr.Jayashree Mahesh
Assistant Professor,
Dept of Management, BITS Pilani

Presented By:
Group 4:
Madhuri U
NavnitKhanke
Rohtash Singh Rathore
TanmayDebnath
Vaibhav Sharma

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract.....

1. Introduction...

2. What is waste management....

2.1 Methods of waste management.............

2.1.1 Open Burning.........................

2.1.2 Incineration.................

2.1.3 Composting...............

2.1.4 Hog Feeding....................

3. BITS Pilani Initiatives on Green campus..

3.1 Proposed initiatives of BITS Pilani.................

3.2 Challenges faced.........................

4. Interview with Chief of Campus management team.....

5. Anaerobic digester

6. Budget estimation..

7. MBA BITS Pilani contributing for a cause....

8. Conclusion.

9. References

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ABSTRACT
This report is a feasibility study on waste segregation in BITS Pilani Campus. Pilani, being a less
rainfall area, needs more emphasis on energy management. Report studies existing practices of
'green campus implemented in Pilani campus. The discussion then focuses on waste disposal
system currently in practice, interview of BITS Pilani campus management chief and a proposal

for anaerobic digester for wet waste energy production and a dry waste recycling unit proposal
has been included.

1. INTRODUCTION

Average Indian depending upon the city, generates 200-870 grams/day waste. Meaning, about
960million tons of solid waste is being generated annually. Of this about 350 million tons are
organic waste from agriculture sources, ~290million tons are inorganic waste of industrial and
mining sectors and ~4.5 million ton wastes are hazardous in nature (Asokan P, Mohini S, Shyam R
Solid waste generation in India) . The throw away economy and technology has made industries
to produce products which are having lesser life span and people with more purchasing power
are more keen in purchasing such products. Growth of population, increasing urbanization, rising
standards of living due to technological innovations have contributed to an increase both in the
quantity and variety of solid wastes generated.
The uncontrolled decomposition of organic solid waste can result in large-scale contamination of
soil, water, and air (Ghosh et al., 1997). Decomposition of one metric ton of organic solid waste
can potentially release 50110 m3 of carbon dioxide and 90140 m3 of methane (Ghosh et al.,
1997) into the atmosphere. If the organic component of the solid waste is converted into energy
through anaerobic digestion, it will reduce the adverse impact on the environment and contribute
to reduction in consumption of fossil fuel. However, not all solid wastes can be converted into
energy. Here comes the importance of waste segregation, to segregate waste which can be
reused, wastes which can be converted into energy and wastes which cannot be used any further.

BITS Pilani, being situated in one of the low rainfall area, has a reputation as Top Colleges
having Beautiful campuses. This has been possible because of the efforts undertaken by the
Campus management team and the College administrative team. In this paper we have proposed
few ideas which can further enhance beautification of Pilani campus along with lesser
dependency on electricity by introducing alternate energy sources.

2. WHAT IS WASTE MANAGEMENT?

According to business dictionary, waste management is defined as The Collection,
transportation and disposal of garbage, sewage and other waste products.
India is among top 10 countries generating municipal solid waste.India constantly faces issues in
waste management and disposal because of financial and technological deficiencies.

2.1 METHODS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT

There are many methods of waste management followed in India, they are:
2.1.1 Open Burning - Burning waste materials in burn barrels. National Green Tribunal has made
it illegal now to burn waste openly. Person who would be found such act will be penalized with
Rs.5000.

2.1.2 Incineration Thermal treatment of waste material. It will release wide variety of
pollutants depending on the composition of waste. And incinerator impacts health of people.
2.1.3 Composting Waste which can be used for producing manure.
2.1.4 Hog Feeding Organic wastes which can be fed to pigs. But the above mentioned
ways of waste management contribute less than 25% in waste management system.
Dumping in landfill This method accounts to 75% of waste management method.
Landfill is a site where all the collected wastes are dumped. Landfill sites also release landfill
gas with 50 to 60 per cent methane by volume. Methane which is 21 times more potent than
carbon dioxide aggravates problems related to global warming. It is estimated by TERI that
in 1997 India released about 7 million tonsof methane into the atmosphere. This could
increase to 39 million tonsby 2047 if no efforts are made to reduce the emission through
composting, recycling, etc. (Asnani IITK solid waste management)
But a simple step like waste segregation from the place it gets generated (example: waste
generated from houses, hospital wastes etc.) can reduce 75% of financial cost involved in waste
segregation. Bangalore which has successfully implemented waste segregation method by 2 bin
method. More than 180 tons waste avoided landfill every day and more than 2 lakh garbage bags
were successfully eliminated. If a population of 4.3 million can adopt this process and avoid
dumping of 2 lakh garbage bag/day, then it will do miracle in concentrated population like BITS
Pilani.

3.BITS PILANI INITIATIVESON GREENCAMPUS

1. Sewage water Treatment Plant (STP): Two sewage treatment plants of capacity 2.5lakh
liter/day. Using the treated water to flush toilets and watering plants.
2. Drip Irrigation.
3. Saplings plantation and maintenance
4. LED streetlights.
5. Bicycles as a mean of transportation.

3.1 PROPOSED INITIATIVES OF BITS PILANI

1. Solar water heaters on new faculty buildings.
2. More emphasis on solar energy harvesting.

3.2 CHALLENGES FACED

1. Daily ~1,550kg waste is generated in BITS Pilani campus. Disposing that is a huge
concern.
2. No concrete waste management system in place. No outside dumping facility available, a
location inside the campus is used as landfill.

4. INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF OF CAMPUS MANAGEMENT

COMMITTEE
Below mentioned questions were asked to Mr.Anshuman, Unit Chief, BITS Pilani campus
Management.
Answers are as stated by Mr.Anshuman.
Interview Date: 15th Nov 2017
Time: 5.10 PM
1. What are the initiatives undertaken in BITS Pilani to make it a green campus?
- 2 Sewage treatment Plants of capacity 1.5lakh liter/day and 1 lakh liter/day
respectively. Treated water is used for watering the plants in the campus, flushing of
the toilets.
- Drip irrigation facility backside the library.
- Saplings plantation.
- There is a proposal to introduce solar water heaters on new faculty buildings.
Currently we are paying 8Rs/unit of electricity and we are expecting to harness solar
energy of at least 0.5MW to reduce our sole dependency on electricity.
2. What are the types of waste generated in the campus?
- We can classify them as 3 kinds:
Garden waste: Waste generated from the garden like hedge trimmings, grass
cuttings etc.
Food Waste: Wastage of food in Mess and CP
Domestic Waste: Waste generated from hostels and houses inside campus.
3. How about the food waste generated in Mess? What are the steps taken to manage
food waste?
- An external vendor is coming to collect food wastes from Messes. Waste food is
going into pig sty outside the campus.
4. How Garden wastes and domestic wastes are are managed?
- Extent of garden or horticulture wastes produced depends upon the seasons. March
and April quantity of garden waste produced is more. Nevertheless, we are trying to
turn almost all of the garden wastes into manure. You can find small heaps of grasses,
leaves on the road sides in most places.
- However, there is no concrete step undertaken on domestic wastes. 5~6, 80 cubic ft to
100 cubic ft trolley garbage is generated per day. We were dumping the domestic
wastes outside the campus. But due to local residents opposition we were obligated to
find an alternate method to dispose the wastes. We are planning to segregate solid

wastes. It will be implemented within 6 months. Vendor who will segregate the
domestic waste generated is identified.
5. Sir, any plan of having an anaerobic digester for the wet waste generated?
- It depends on how much dry and how much wet waste gets generated. Whatever
recycled can be seen and suitable actions would be taken from our side.
6. Sir, as discussed, our project is also on waste management. How can we contribute
to your work? We can float a questionnaire to the students to map their awareness
on the topic.
- I dont think asking questions would help. We appreciate your support in this matter.
We can have an awareness camp in hostels, educate the students. You MBA students
can make presentation and give general awareness to the students regarding
recyclable and non-recyclable wastes.
I will inform you when we will be formally introducing 2 bins everywhere to dry and
wet waste. You can share your thoughts and make a presentation on the color of bins,
types of waste going into each bin to educate people.

5. ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
Anaerobic digestion:Anaerobic digestion is a series of biological processes in which
microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. One of the end
products is biogas, which is combusted to generate electricity and heat, or can be processed
into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels.
How much Methane can be produced (Values cited from Kirloskar waste management
plant)?
Calculation:

1 ton of waste can produce 200 cubic cm of biogas, therefore 1 kg of waste will
produce 0.2 m3 of Biogas.

One Kg of wet waste contains about 20% of bio-gas convertible waste (according to
standards and assumptions of biogas making plant standards).
1 kg of waste containing 20% waste will thereby produce, 0.2*0.2 = 0.04 m3 of biogas.
1 kg waste will produce 0.04 m3 of biogas.
Hence, 1/0.04 = 25 kgs is required to produce 1 m3 of Biogas.
Density = mass/ volume; density of biogas is 1.15 kg/m3
mass ( required here is 1 kg )
Volume required to make 1 kg biogas = mass ( 1 kg )/ density (1.15 kg/m3) = 0.86 m3.
Therefore to produce 1 kg of biogas we need 0.86*25 = 21.7 approx 22 kgs of waste.

6. BUDGET ESTIMATION

Daily 5~6 80cb ft trolleys are generated.

Converting that in Kgs, 310Kg per trolley waste is generated.
5*310= 1550Kg/day waste generated in BITS Pilani
Assuming 30% of total waste is wet waste, 465kg of waste can be used daily for bio-gas
conversion
This 465 kg not only consists of food and other wet waste but also slush from sewage
treatment plant.
Hence, a medium scale bio-gas plant would suffice BITS Pilani need.

The reactor vessel of anaerobic filters can be integrated in or is very similar to a septic tank
and can be constructed at relatively low cost with locally available material. And a medium
scale digester would cost Rs.60,000. And with BITS being a single place for talented
engineers, digester can be designed in bare minimum cost.
It is to be noted that digester requires a start-up period of 6-9 months to reach full treatment
capacity.

7. MBA BITS Pilani contributing for a cause

Though there is no immediate plan of establishing a digester inside campus, management is
in plan of segregating waste. As per Chief of estate management of Pilani campus, in 6
months, 2 dustbins will be provided to put dry waste and wet waste. Department of
Management students, with the guidance of Dr.Jayashree Mahesh, are in plan of organizing
awareness camps inside the campus to students and residents.

8. CONCLUSION
Necessity is the mother of all invention as said by Greek philosopher Plato. We as fellow
BITSians believe in bringing about a change and understand the responsibility towards our
own campus where we live in and believe in bringing about a change in the vicinity since
service begins at home.
This was one such initiative by us the members of group 4 to study the feasibility of dry
waste and wet waste segregation in BITS Pilani. The outcome of the study was first and
foremost to spread the awareness among the fellow student of BITS Pilani to categorize the
waste in dry and wet waste easy for segregation. This could be done at the initial stage of
installing bins of different colors indicative of the dry and waste category of waste.
The waste thus collected could be processed further to use it as a source of energy which can
be utilized at various places. Next step was the proposal of installing a biogas plant in the
campus to produce biogas that could be used to supply to the mess for combustion and at
various places for heating purpose. Thus daily waste generated in the campus could be used
to produce energy.
An estimated plant capacity and the estimation of the budget of the same was proposed from
the standard ratings of the plant capacity available for sale. All in all its a win-win situation
to use the waste to produce energy and use it at different places. This potential proposal could
thus serve the purpose of proving to be a waste management technique in BITS,

9. REFERENCES
1. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTURBANDEVELOPMENT/Resources/3363871334852610766/Chap3.pdf
2. http://dspace.library.iitb.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10054/1649/1/5691.pdf
3. https://www.americanbiogascouncil.org/biogas_what.asp
4. https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/WASTE_MANAGEMENT_PLAN.140301.pdf
5. http://www.iitk.ac.in/3inetwork/html/reports/IIR2006/Solid_Waste.pdf
6. http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/CH08.PDF
7. http://www.letsrecycle.in/articles/benefits-of-recycling-and-being-sustainable-3.php
8. https://www.jcu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/192434/Waste-ReductionManagement-Plan-v1.pdf

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