Archive for the
‘Sustainable Solutions’ Category

With the rise in urbanization and growing population, it is challenging to manage the overburden of overcrowded cities, and extensive air and water pollution while meeting the overgrowing demands for food, clothing, and shelter using tremendous resources for everyone. We must strive to take care of the environment during such times by opting for sustainable practices.

A high percentage of the population in India do not have access to proper toilet infrastructure due to unaffordable cost, additional space required and the need for frequent fecal waste removal. Biodigester based mobile toilets, due to their compact size, can be installed at geographical terrains where conventional toilets can’t be used.

Waste can be defined as discarded and useless materials which do not possess any value. Solid waste is generated from different sources such as households, industries, agriculture, commercial spaces and other human activities, and pose significant environmental and public health risks. Thus, effective solid waste management is a necessity.

As per UNICEF, solid waste is categorized into two: Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable waste. Biodegradable waste includes kitchen waste, agricultural waste, human and animal waste, which can be decomposed by the biological action of living microorganisms. However, non-biodegradable wastes are those which cannot be decomposed biologically. It includes plastic, metal, glass etc. This is the reason why non-biodegradable waste management using different technologies and solutions have assumed greater importance today.

Waste is one of the biggest challenges faced by the world today, and the future of solid waste management depends on every single individual. Although government authorities, leaders of the nations, municipalities and local communities are working hard to manage the extensive amount of waste generated every day, a radical change in mindset at an individual level is the need of the hour.

On a broader note, improper waste disposal and management, which includes public littering, lack of waste segregation, uncontrolled collection and disposal and poor waste treatment practices, have greatly impacted the world. According to a World Bank report, 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste is generated every year across the world, out of which it is estimated that 33% is not managed properly, impacting the environment.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world today. For a large population living in different parts of the world, fish is the main source of nutrient, and thus it is integral to the dietary culture. However, different kinds of disease outbreaks and poor water quality have been plaguing aquaculture and affecting its production rate. Although conventional solutions like antibiotics are used, there is a growing concern about their extensive use and related adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem and aquatic living beings.

Today, modern agriculture is playing a central role in solving some of the biggest challenges faced by humanity. First, the world population is increasing at an alarming rate, and it is predicted to reach approximately 9 billion people by 2050. The agriculture sector is expected to meet the growing food demand and accomplish food security goals.

India is one of the most populous countries in the world with high population densities in rural areas and urban cities. As a result, human waste treatment and management have become one of the major challenges faced by the country today. According to reports, less than 30% of the population in India have access to safe sanitation facilities. The majority of households in rural areas practice open defecation, which threatens to cause various diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, hepatitis, dysentery etc.

The rapidly growing population, urbanization and changing consumption patterns in India has led to the generation of vast quantities of solid waste. As per the Swachhata Sandesh Newsletter released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in January 2020, 1,47,613 metric tonnes of solid waste is generated per day, from 84,475 wards across India. The existing process for collection, transportation and disposal, as part of municipal solid waste management, is under undue stress. Thus, improper solid waste disposal poses a great risk to public health.

Rice is among the top three crops produced in Malaysia, and it is the staple food for the majority of the population. According to estimates, the adult population consumes 2.5 plates of white rice on average every day. In a year, the average consumption of a Malaysian resident is approximately 82.3 kg of rice.