Course Catalogue

ES 363 Waste and Waste Management

 

Programme: B.A. Environmental Studies

Credit points: 12

Level: Year 3, Semester 6

General objectives:   

One of the major environmental problems facing Bhutan is managing ever increasing wastes from all sectors. The primary goal of this course is to provide students with comprehensive understanding of waste management practices in the light of environment and public health. Students will have opportunity to visit municipal organizations and waste management sites in the locality. This will provide familiarization with current waste management practices and suggest best measures and alternatives in managing wastes in Bhutan.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion, students will be able to:

  • define and classify different class of wastes
  • Identify and describe the sources and properties of liquid and solid wastes
  • describe the major environmental problems of different class of wastes  and the role humans play in those problems
  • apply principles of waste management hierarchy in management  of wastes
  • identify and describe the role of various systems of treatment of wastes
  • familiar with local, regional and international case studies  on waste management
  • develop analytical and critical thinking skills in analysis of waste related problems

 

Approach to teaching and learning

This module will use variety of teaching and learning approaches like lectures, syndicate work and field trips. The course will consist of 15 teaching weeks, one self-study week and two examination weeks. Each week will consist of:

  • three hours of lectures per week. Each lecture will allow ample time for questions and discussion;
  • two tutorial hours during which students will be engaged in preparing assignments and field work reports; presentation and discussions
  • three hours of self-study.

Assessment

·End of semester examination                 40%

·Review questions                                   10%

·Cleaner production assignment              20%

·Field trip reports                                     30%

 

Students will have an opportunity to visit waste management site in the locality. Following this visit a group reports have to be submitted suggesting alternatives and new measures in managing wastes.

Course content

  • definition & general classification of wastes;
  • waste management hierarchy;

Liquid wastes

  • types, sources properties  and impacts
  • fresh water supply treatment
  • Wastewater treatment
    • physical
    • chemical
    •  biological treatments (microbial, bioremediation, phyto-remediation)
  • Case studies

Solid wastes

  • Types, sources, properties and impacts
  • Disposal and management strategies
    • collection, storage and transport
    • source reduction
    • product recovery
    • recycling
    • incineration
    • land filling
    • modern biotechnological approaches (compost & biogas) 
  • Cleaner production and life cycle assessment
  • Wastes and public health
  • Hazardous wastes
  • Issues of solid waste in Bhutan
  • Case studies

Reading List

Texts

  1. Rajagopal, R., 2005, Environmental Studies: from Crisis to Cure. Oxford University Press. India
  2. Reed, S. C., Middlebrooks, J. E & Crites, R. W., 1998, Natural Systems for Waste Management and Treatment. McGraw-Hill Professional.
  3. Willams, P. T., 2005, Waste Treatment and Disposal. John Wiley and Sons
  4. Viessman, W. Jr.  & Hammer M.J., 2005, Water Supply and Pollution Control. Pearson Education
  5. Bhutan National Strategy Action Plan: Integrated Solid Waste Management; July 2006

 

 References:

  1. Abel, P. D., 1996, Water Pollution Biology. Prentice Hall
  2. Cunningham, W. P and Cunningham, M. A, 2004, Principles of environmental science: inquiry and application. Tata McGrawHill
  3. Harrision, R. M (Edn)., 2001: Pollution: Causes, Effects and Control. Royal Society of Chemistry
  4. Hill, Marquitak, 2004, Understanding Environmental Pollution. Cambridge University Press.
  5. Masters, G. M., 1998, Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science. Pearson Eduction. Delhi
  6. Nagendran, K. J. R, 2004, Essentials of Environmental Studies. Pearson Education. India
  7. Nathanson, J. A., 2006, Basic Environmental Technology. Prentice-Hall of India. New Delhi
  8. National Environmental Commission, 1998, The Middle Path: National Strategy for Bhutan. National Environmental Commission. RGOB.
  9. National Environmental Commission, 2002, Environmental Code of Practice for Hazardous Waste Management. National Environmental Commission. RGOB
  10. National Environmental Commission, 2004, Environmental Discharge Standard. National Environmental Commission. RGOB.
  11. Pepper. L. I, Gerba, C.P & Brusseau, M. L., 2006, Environmental and Pollution Science. Elsevier

 
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