Landfill Solutions for Mumbai

February 16, 2020

Overflowing landfills are a global issue that cannot be ignored. Solid waste rapidly accumulates in these landfills across the world. Some examples of these landfills are the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean, the Bordo Poniente Landfill, Nezahualcoyot in Mexico, the Lagos Dump in Nigeria and the Sudokwon Landfill in South Korea.

Mumbai also has its share of landfills. The Deonar landfill is the largest and oldest dumping ground in Mumbai. Situated in the Eastern suburbs of the city, the landfill is eight floors high.  Other landfills are situated at Mulund, Gorai and Kanjur.

As solid waste accumulates in landfills on a daily basis, more people are likely to be infected by diseases and illnesses. The landfills attract insects, pests and parasites and wild animals that also spread disease. The organic waste that is mixed with the non biodegradable waste releases a toxic liquid that his detrimental to the earth and all living organisms.

But all is not lost. With modern technology there are tried and tested ways to recycle solid waste from the landfills. Like plastic for instance, as it cannot be disintegrated, it can still be broken down or recycled. This can be done on a domestic and a business level as soon as a market is created in the case of the latter.

The entire process of collecting the waste, treating and breaking it down before recycling it is a long, exhausting and expensive process. So in an ideal world, if the major corporations of the world unite with the local government bodies anything is possible.

By reducing the solid waste in landfills the vulnerable get a chance to a life of good health and working towards this the most humane thing to do.

This Article has been written by Seema Redkar, ALM Officer MCGM

Tags: Greening the Grey

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