Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title: ENM307 Waste Management

Programme(s): BSc Environmental Management

Credit Value: 12

Module Tutor(s): Deki Phuntsho Yonten, (Coordinator)

GP Sharma

Tshering Dolkar

Leishipem Khamrang

General objective(s) of the module:

Waste management is a major emerging issue in Bhutan. This module will provide students with a broad overview of waste and 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 help familiarize students with current waste management practices and allow them to consider best measures and alternatives in managing wastes in Bhutan. The module also emphasizes a holistic approach to waste management in terms of ethics, civic sense, and producer responsibility.

Learning outcomes – Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Classify wastes into different categories.
Explain the factors affecting waste decomposition.

Describe the types, sources, properties and impacts of solid and liquid wastes.
Describe the major environmental problems associated with different types of anthropogenic wastes.
Explain the rationale behind and principles of the waste management hierarchy.
Apply waste management hierarchy concepts to the management of wastes in case studies.
Describe the roles of various systems for treatment of wastes, in particular for wastewater and freshwater.
Discuss local, regional and international case studies on waste management.
Critically evaluate potential solutions for waste-related problems.
Explain the concept of cleaner production and its scope for sustainable development.
Examine the roles of various stakeholders in a holistic waste management approach.

Learning and teaching approaches used:

The module will be conducted over 15 teaching weeks as follows:

· 3 hrs/wk lecture & discussions.

· 1 hr/wk tutorial section for student presentations and guest lectures.

· 4 hrs/wk outside of class, on average, for independent study.

· One block-day study tour to the Memelhakha landfill, Thimphu Thromde sewerage treatment facility, and Thimphu Hospital (medical wastes disposal). Students will also explore organic waste disposal from the Centenary Farmer’s Market, and wastes processing at Greener Way.

Assessment:

Semester-End Examination (SE): 40%

Continuous Assessment (CA): 60%

CA Assessment	Weight	Assessment Detail
Group project	20%	Project in groups of 3-4 on leaflet / pamphlet production and strategy for creating awareness on solid waste management at individual, community, and gewog levels; 20 min presentation.
Individual assignment	15%	1000-1500 word report on analysis of household waste production in Thimphu vs. rural area.
Field report	10%	Written group report (groups of 3) on field observations of both organic and inorganic waste management in Thimphu valley - TCC & other organizations; 1500 words.
Midterm Exam	15%

Pre-requisite knowledge: ENM101 Energy Resources and Materials Management, ENM202 Water Resources Management, ENM203 Agriculture and Land Management, ENM304 Environmental Hazards Management, ENM305 Urban Environmental Management

Subject matter:

I. Introduction and ethical concepts related to waste management

a. Ethical and legal responsibilities for proper waste management

b. Review of relevant theories in environmental ethics (different worldviews and their takes on human responsibility for waste management)

c. Review of ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ concept

d. Polluter-pays principle: individual responsibility, legal enforcement thereof

e. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste management

f. Challenges and opportunities in promoting individual and community-based responsible waste management

II. Basic technical concepts of waste

a. Definitions

b. Categories of waste

c. Waste decomposition and conversion

d. Factors affecting waste decomposition

e. Wastes and public health

f. Benefits of waste conversion

g. Wastes as environmental hazards

III. Solid wastes

a. Types, sources, properties and impacts

b. Disposal and management strategies

c. Integrated solid waste management

i. Collection, storage and transport

ii. Source reduction

iii. Product recovery

iv. Recycling

v. Incineration

vi. Land filling

vii. Modern biotechnological approaches (compost & biogas)

viii. Public policy and waste management

d. Issues of solid waste in Bhutan -Waste Prevention and Management Act, 2009

e. Waste Prevention and Management Regulation, 2012

f. Environmental codes of practice for Hazardous Waste, 2002

g. Integrated Waste Management Strategy, 2014

IV. Liquid wastes

a. Characterization of liquid wastes

b. Classification of Liquid wastes by

i. Origin

ii. Destination

iii. Content

iv. Treatment

v. Value

c. Fresh water supply treatment

d. Water quality and important factors for treatment

e. Wastewater treatment

i. Physical

ii. Chemical

iii. Biological treatments (microbial, bioremediation, phyto-remediation)

iv. Treatment of sludge

v. Composting and irrigation

f. Case studies

V. Hazardous Wastes

a. History

b. Types of hazardous waste: hospital waste, electronic waste

c. Mismanagement of hazardous waste

d. Conventions (Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm)

e. Pollution prevention for a sustainable society

f. Case studies

VI. Cleaner Production

a. Stages of CP

b. Advantages and disadvantages

c. Future scenarios

d. Case studies

e. Stakeholders in waste management and case studies

Essential Readings:

1. Aquarius ND Ltd. (2013). Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants. http://www.aquariusbg.com/en/Domestic-wastewater-treatment-plants/product.html

2. Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. http://www.basel.int/

3. Berg, L., Hager M., Hassenzahl, D. (2011). Visualizing Environmental Science 3rd Ed. John Wiley & Sons. Ch.10.

4. Bloch, M. (2009). Waste Decomposition Rates. Green Living Tips. Retrieved from http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/311/1/Waste-decomposition-rates.html

5. Casiday, R., Noelken, R. and Frey, R. (1999). Treating the Public Water Supply. http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/Water/PublicWaterSupply/PublicWaterSupply.html

6. Gupta, S.K. (2009). Methods in Environmental Analysis of Water Soil and Air, Agribios, Jodhpur, India.

7. Quarrie, J. (1992). Earth Summit ’92, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Rio de Janerio., Published by the Regency Press, London

8. Queensland Litter Prevention Alliance. (2008). Waste Product Decomposition Time. Queensland, Australia. Retrieved from http://www.qldlitter.com/pdfs/wastea3.pdf

9. Skye, C. (2006). Conversion Technology 101. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Retrieved from www.herc.ucla.edu/Presentations/SCEWTF_July2006_Skye_2.0.ppt

10. Syed, S. (2006). Solid and Liquid Waste Management. Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, 11(2), 19-36. http://www.engg.uaeu.ac.ae/ejer/issues/v11/pdf_iss2_11/2.%20Syed.pdf

11. US Environmental Protection Agency (2008) Basic Information - Composting. US EPA. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm

12. Waste Decomposition: The Main Stages of waste decomposition, or the waste degradation process. (n.d.). Retrieved on from http://www.landfill-site.com/html/waste_decomposition.html

13. World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (2009). Water Facts and Trends. http://www.unwater.org/downloads/Water_facts_and_trends.pdf

Additional Readings:

1. Australia and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership. (2009). What are Biosolids? http://www.biosolids.com.au/what-are-biosolids.php

2. Botkin, D.B., and Keller, E.A. (2011). Environmental Science, 8th Ed. John Wiley & Sons. Ch. 18.

3. City Water and Waste. (2012). Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant. http://www.ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/wastewater/treatmentplant/chchwastewatertreatmentplant/index.aspx

4. Cunningham, W. P and Cunningham, M. A. (2004). Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Application. Tata McGraw Hill.

5. Hygiene and Environmental Health HEAT Module. http://labspace.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=453835&section=1.3.1

6. List of Waste Types. (n.d.). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_waste_types

7. Miller, G.T., and Spoolman, S.E. (2014). Environmental Science 14th Ed. New Delhi: Cengage Learning.

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 Wastes Management. National Environmental Commission. RGOB

10. National Environmental Commission. (2004). Environmental Discharge Standard. National Environmental Commission. RGOB.

11. National Environmental Commission. (2002). Environmental Code of Practice for Hazardous Waste Management. National Environmental Commission. RGOB

12. National Environment Commission. (2007). National Environmental Protection Act of Bhutan 2007. Printed at Phama Printing and Publishers

13. National Environment Commission. (2009). Waste Prevention and Management Act of Bhutan. NEC, Bhutan.

14. New South Wales Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Classifying Waste http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/waste/envguidlns/index.htm

15. Rajagopal, R.. (2005). Environmental Studies: from Crisis to Cure. Oxford University Press. UK.

16. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (2012). http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/permitting/waste_permits/msw_permits/MSW_generatorsliquidwaste.html

17. Viessman, W. Jr. & Hammer M.J. (2005). Water Supply and Pollution Control. Pearson Education.

18. Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority. (2011). http://www.viwma.org/Recycling/Special_Waste/Liquid_Waste.aspx

19. Willams, P. T. (2005). Waste Treatment and Disposal. John Wiley and Sons.

20. Wright, R.T., and Boorse, D.F. (2011). Environmental Science – Towards a Sustainable Future, 11^th Edition, PHI Learning Private Limited, New Delhi.

Date last updated: May 30, 2015