Classification of Industrial Waste: Sources and Management
Currently, we have millions of mills, factories, mining plants, industries, and so on across the world. All these industries use raw materials to form finished goods for consumers. However, in the process of manufacturing, there exist some materials which are rendered useless.
These constitute an industrial waste. There are many industrial waste types. A few different industrial solid waste examples are given as paints, metals, sandpaper, ash, slag, radioactive wastes, and more. Here, we will discuss various types of industrial wastes, including their disposals.
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Types of Industrial Waste
Industrial waste is categorized into 2 forms as, biodegradable and non-biodegradable, which are explained briefly below:
Biodegradable
These industrial wastes are the ones that can be decomposed into non-poisonous matter by some microorganisms' action. They are also comparable to house wastes. These are generated from industries like dairy, food processing, slaughterhouses, textile mills, and so on. A few examples are paper, leather, wool, animal bones, wheat, and more. They do not require special treatment, and they are not toxic in nature either. Their treatment processes include composting, combustion, bio-methanation, gasification, and more.
Non-biodegradable
These industrial wastes are the ones that cannot be decomposed into non-poisonous substances. A few examples are given as fly ash, plastics, synthetic fibres, silver foil, gypsum, glass objects, radioactive wastes, and more. These are generated by steel and iron plants, chemicals & drugs, fertilizer, and dyes industries. It is also estimated that about 10 - 15 % of the total industrial wastes are hazardous and non-biodegradable. The rate of increase in this waste category is only increasing every year. These wastes are made less harmful and cannot be broken down easily.
Thus, they are also environmental pollutants and cause threats to living organisms. They enter the bodies of plants and animals, causing diseases and accumulate in the environment. However, with technological advancement, various reuse and disposal methods have been developed. Wastes from one particular industry are being treated well and utilized in another industry. For suppose, the cement industry uses the fly ash and slag generated as waste by the steel industries. Incineration and landfill are the other methods for the hazardous wastes which are being resorted to.
Environmental Impact
Typically, power plants and Factories are located near water bodies because of the need for greater quantities of water as an input to the manufacturing process or cooling equipment. Yet, many areas becoming industrialized do not have the technology or resources to dispose of the waste with fewer environmental effects. Commonly, both partially and untreated wastewater are fed back into a near lying body of water. Whereas, chemicals, sewage, metals released into the water bodies directly affect marine ecosystems, including the health who depend on the waters as drinking or food water sources.
Also, the wastewater toxins can kill off marine life or cause differential degrees of illness to the ones who consume these marine animals, based on the contaminant. Chemicals and Metals released into the water bodies affect the marine ecosystems.
Air Pollution
Another prominent effect of industrial waste is given as air pollution resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. This affects many people's lives since this spreads illnesses, and this issue has been widespread over time. Many environmental issues comprise a devastating effect on third-world countries since they don't have sufficient resources to solve this specific issue. This also affects soil quality because farmers always have to try and deal with this massive issue.
In addition to this, nitrogen dioxide became a common air pollutant found in the air. These air pollutants hold a devastating effect on the human population due to the cause of their sicknesses. Also, ammonia causes several respiratory problems, contracted from the air. In addition, there is also a chance to effect with Bronchitis or Pneumonia, in which both being very dangerous.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated: air pollution is one of the worst risks concerning human health. This pollution has been around for a longer period and indoor air pollution has become a risk for humans. This air pollution type is caused by solid fuels burning mostly from heating or cooking.
Water Pollution
Water Pollution is one of the most devastating effects of industrial waste. For most of the industrial processes, a heavy amount of water can be used, which comes in contact with uncountable harmful chemicals. In general, these chemicals are radioactive materials or metals. These affect the environment very heavily because most of the waste ends up in rivers, lakes, or oceans. Resultantly, water becomes polluted, posing a health hazard to all. Farmers completely rely on this water. But if the water is more polluted, then the produced crops can become resultantly polluted.
These effects society's health too because if the industrial companies cannot clear their waste, this begins to affect the human and animals life. The health of sea creatures is affected because their lives turn endangered due to this polluted water. Water pollution can also have devastating effects on the human body. The primary ones are infections from parasites, chemicals, and bacteria.
FAQs on Industrial Waste Types Explained
1. What is industrial waste, and can you provide some common examples?
Industrial waste refers to any unwanted material or substance that is generated as a byproduct of industrial, manufacturing, mining, or agricultural activities. Unlike municipal waste, it often contains specific contaminants related to the processes involved. Common examples include scrap metal from metallurgy, chemical solvents from pharmaceutical plants, fly ash from thermal power plants, and sludge from wastewater treatment facilities.
2. How are the different types of industrial waste classified?
Industrial waste is broadly classified based on its properties and physical state. The primary classifications are:
- Solid Waste: Includes materials like scrap metal, plastic, wood, concrete, and ash.
- Liquid Waste: Comprises wastewater, used solvents, acids, alkalis, and contaminated oils.
- Hazardous Waste: Waste that is toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive, posing a significant threat to health and the environment. Examples include heavy metals (like mercury, lead), pesticides, and radioactive materials.
- Non-Hazardous Waste: Waste that does not pose a direct threat, such as paper, cardboard, and food scraps from industrial cafeterias.
3. What is the main difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable industrial waste?
The key difference lies in their ability to be broken down by natural processes. Biodegradable waste, such as waste from food processing, textile, and paper industries, can be decomposed by microorganisms into simpler, harmless substances. In contrast, non-biodegradable waste, like plastics, synthetic fibres, and heavy metals, cannot be broken down naturally. This waste persists in the environment for extremely long periods, leading to soil and water pollution.
4. Why is the treatment of industrial wastewater so important before its disposal?
Treating industrial wastewater is critical to prevent environmental damage and protect public health. Discharging untreated wastewater can lead to several severe consequences:
- Water Contamination: Toxic chemicals and heavy metals can poison aquatic life and render water sources unsafe for human consumption.
- Eutrophication: High levels of nutrients like nitrates and phosphates can cause excessive algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and kill fish.
- Soil Degradation: When used for irrigation, contaminated water can introduce harmful substances into the soil, affecting crop safety and soil fertility.
- Disruption of Ecosystems: Altering the pH, temperature, or chemical composition of natural water bodies can destroy local habitats.
5. From a chemistry perspective, what makes hazardous industrial waste particularly dangerous?
From a chemistry standpoint, the danger of hazardous waste comes from its inherent properties:
- Toxicity: Substances like heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury) and cyanides can interfere with biological processes at a cellular level, causing poisoning.
- Corrosivity: Highly acidic or alkaline wastes can destroy living tissue and corrode materials like metal containers, leading to leaks.
- Reactivity: Some wastes are chemically unstable and can react violently with water or other chemicals, potentially causing explosions or releasing toxic gases.
- Ignitability: Wastes like spent solvents can easily catch fire, posing a risk of uncontrolled blazes and the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.
6. How do the principles of Green Chemistry help in managing industrial waste?
Green Chemistry focuses on preventing pollution at its source by designing chemical products and processes that minimise or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. As per the CBSE/NCERT syllabus, it helps manage industrial waste by promoting:
- Waste Prevention: Designing processes that produce minimal to no waste is prioritised over treating waste after it is created.
- Atom Economy: Maximising the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product, thus reducing byproducts.
- Use of Safer Solvents: Replacing volatile and toxic organic solvents with safer alternatives like water or supercritical CO₂.
- Design for Degradation: Creating products that break down into harmless substances after their intended use, preventing them from persisting in the environment.
