Research Journal of Recent Sciences ________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502
Vol. 1 (ISC-2011), 348-351 (2012)
Res.J.Recent Sci.

Short Communication

Existing Situation of Solid Waste Management in Pune City, India
Mane T.T.1 and Hingane Hemalata N.2
Department of Botany, Baburaoji Gholap College, Sangvi, Pune, MS, INDIA
2
Shree Vinay Engg. Services Pvt. Ltd. working site Tata Motors Pvt. Ltd. Pimpri Pune, MS, INDIA
1

Available online at: www.isca.in
(Received 30th October 2011, revised 10th January 2012, accepted 28th January 2012)

Abstract
At present the most serious problem of pollution is the direct result of human activity. As soon as large settlement and towns
become common, the problem of disposal of solid waste arose. India is also experiencing tremendous growth in urban areas.
Urban centers of India produce 120,000 tones of solid waste per day. Some metropolitan cities like Bombay, Calcutta, Bangalore,
and Pune showing typical urban pollution. Among these Pune is also one of the city which produces large quantity (1000-2000
mt/day) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). There is major problem of its disposal and management. Pune Municipal Corporation
(PMC) dispose municipal solid waste at Urali Devachi Depot which is 20 km away from pune city. Due to unscientific disposal of
MSW the huge hips are produced at the disposal site. The decomposition of waste produce leachate. This leachate gets percolated
in surrounding ground water. In the present study leachate and well water of near by area is analyzed for the concentration of
chromium and zinc. The analytical data showed that concentration of chromium and zinc in leachate is 5 to 8 mg/l and 10 to 15
mg/l respectively which is more than permissible limit of MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board). The concentration of
.chromium and zinc is 5 to 8 mg/l and 6 to 9.5 mg/l in nearby well water. This clearly indicates that there is higher concentration of
these metals in well water. The people residing in these areas are using well water for drinking, domestic and for agricultural use.
It is observed that the people living in this area having health and hygienic problems such as allergic, asthmatic, bronchitis, skin
irritation and gastro intestinal diseases. These problems are discussed in this paper.
Keywords: Chromium, zinc, MSW, leachate, urali devachi, disposal depot, PMC, MPCB, mansoon, ecological cycle, fossil fuels,
exotic, urbanization.

Introduction
Human activities domestic, agricultural or industrial generate huge
quantity of waste. The wastes generated from these activities of more
advanced society produce more complex and e heterogeneous wastes
because of living standards and changing food habits. These activities
are changes the quality of waste and increases quantity per capita in
recent years. The solid waste problem is much more severe in urban
environments1. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is being produced since
from human civilization. India is experiencing tremendous growth in
urban areas. This increased urbanization associated with growing
economy has posed a significance stress on the environment. With the
increasing industrialization, man is introducing new and complex
chemicals without any rigorous bioassesment of their toxicity. Further
more continued dispersion of such materials in environment may
interfere with the biological processes fundamental to life. Hence, man
is now facing the acute problem of environmental pollution. He has
utilized science and modern technology for his comfort, pleasure and
betterment of living standards. The major urban environmental
concerns, like urban air pollution, noise pollution, municipal solid
waste management, sanitation and associated adverse health impacts,
this increased urbanization with large population density can further
intensify these concerns, unless we take urgent effective steps improve
sanitation and solid waste management.
Pune city contains lots of commercial industries, Hospitals, hotels,
residential buildings as well as high population which generate 0.12 kg
of waste per capita/day (Personal communication with PMC office

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Pune). The municipal solid waste is heterogeneous in nature and
contains papers, Plastics, rags, metals, glass pieces, ashes and
combustible materials. In addition to these it also contains other
substances like scrap materials, dead animals, discarded chemicals,
paints, hazardous waste generated from hospitals, industries and
agricultural residues. The waste generated from biomedical waste,
clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, pathological laboratories, blood
banks and veterinary centers have also been disposed along with
municipal solid waste at disposal site. This waste is hazardous to
human being and environment2. Pune Municipal Corporation disposes
this waste of pune city at mantarwadi (Urali devachi depot) which is
20 km away from pune city. About 1200-1300 metric tones of solid
waste from pune municipal area is disposed per day at Mantarwadi
(Urali Devachi village).
During the early period, MSW was
conveniently disposed off at Mantarwadi disposal site in low lying
areas with large open land space. The unscientific disposal of solid
waste created lots of environmental problem in this area. It resulted
into air pollution and ground water pollution problems. The Well water
near to disposal site in Urali Devachi village is now not safe for
domestic use (drinking, outdoor bathing, propagation of aquatic life,
industrial cooling and for irrigation). It has been found that due to
waste disposal the people living in this area face many environmental
and health problems.

Material and Methods
Information related to existing situation of solid waste management in
pune city was collected from Pune Municipal Office. We also collected

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Research Journal of Recent Sciences ____________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277 - 2502
Vol. 1(ISC-2011), 348-351 (2012)
Res.J.Recent.Sci
information related to health hazard from the public living near by
areas around the disposal site.
Method of disposal: Most of MSW in pune is being disposed
unscientifically. Generally MSW is collected and deposited in sanitary
landfills. Such unscientific disposal practices attract birds, rodents and
fleas to the waste dumping site and create unhygienic conditions. The
anaerobic decomposition by microorganisms brings about degradation
of most of the solid waste. This results in the emission of carbon
dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and other trace gases Methane gas
constitute about 60% in a solid waste landfill2. The general anaerobic
transformation of solid waste with the help of microorganism can be
describe by the following equation
Organic matter+H2O+Bacteria+ temperature new cells resistant
organic matter+CO2+CH4+NH4+H2S
(1)
Under the reducing condition, sulfate reduce to sulfide which
subsequently combines with hydrogen to form H2S
2CH3CHOHCOOH+SO42CH3COOH+S2+2H2O+2CO2
(2)
4H2+SO42  S2+4H2O
(3)
S2+2H+  H2S
(4)
Methane gas is explosive in nature and causes the burning of solid
waste, thus giving rise to air pollution. Along with methane gas, many
toxic, volatile air pollutants are emitted such as chlorinate hydrocarbon
compounds like vinyl chloride and tetra chloro ethylene from solid
waste landfill4. It is found that these air pollutants have caused a
plenthora health problem among residents nearby. The burning of
waste in summer season due to increase is temperature.
The another problem arise due to unscientific disposal is the water
pollution. During land filing of solid waste due to continuous pressure
it results quizzing of contaminated liquid called as a leachate. Leachate
is liquid emanating from a land disposal cell that contains dissolved,
suspended and microbial contaminants from the solid waste2. The
leachate has high organic contents, soluble salts and other constituents
capable of polluting ground water. It is proved that this polluted
ground water is unfit for drinking and causes health complaints like
jaundice, nausea, asthma, miscarriage and infertility5. Now a day it is
realized that unscientific solid waste disposal practices is one of the
reasons of global warming. So to study quality of air and to study
physico-chemical characteristics of the water of urali devachi village
there is need to do air monitoring as well as water analysis of the
disposal site.
Physico-chemical analysis of well water and leachate: Sample
collection: Leachate and ground water was collected from site in the
month of June, and Dec.-2010 to Jan.-2011. During the study grab and
composite sampling methods are used for sample collection. Two
heavy metals i.e. chromium and zinc were analyzed from leachate and
ground water. During the study Leachate sampling were carried out
two times in mansoon season and two times in winter season by using
composite sampling method and well water sampling were carried out
three times within twelve months period from two different well by
using grab sampling method. (One well is located 800 mtrs. away from
landfill site and another well located 1200 mtrs. away from landfill
site). The sample collected from the site was analyzed in Tata Motors
Pvt. Ltd. laboratory pimpri.
Analytical Methods: The concentration of chromium (mg/l) was
carried out by diphenylcarbazid method with the help of UV spectro
photometer given in APHA-AWWA-WPCF. The concentration of zinc

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(mg/l) was carried out with the help of dithiozine method with the help
of UV spectro photometer given in APHA-AWWA-WPCF.
Location of sample collection: The samples of leachate have been
collected from following locations. Sample 1: Leachate samples
collected from percolation tanks no. 1, 2 and 3 in the month of June,
2010. Sample 2: Leachate samples collected from percolation tanks
no. 1, 2 and 3 in the month of Aug, 2010. Sample 3: Leachate samples
collected from percolation tanks no. 1, 2 and 3 in the month of Nov.
2010. Sample 4: Leachate samples collected from percolation tanks
no. 1, 2 and 3 in the month of Dec.
The samples of ground water have been collected from following
locations. Sample 1: i. Well water Sample collected in the month of
Jan. 2010, (Well located 800 mtrs away from landfill site), ii. Well
water collected in the month of Jan.2010 (Well located 1200 mtrs
away from landfill site). Sample 2: i. Well water collected in the
month of May.2010 (Well located 800 mtrs away from landfill site) ii.
Well water collected in the month of May.2010 (Well located 1200
mtrs away from landfill site). Sample 3: i. Well water collected in the
month of Jul.2010 (Well located 800 mtrs away from landfill site.) ii.
Well water collected in the month of Jul.2010 (Well located 1200 mtrs
away from landfill site).

Results and Discussion
Pune municipal solid waste: From the overall study of solid waste
management in pune city it is observe that Pune city generates about
1200-1300 metric tones of solid waste per day. This unsegregated solid
waste is disposed at landfill site near Urali-Devachi village which is 20
km away from pune city. The 43 ha of land allocated for solid waste
disposal, from which 15 ha area is already land filled and sealed off
permanently. Solid waste generated at disposal site is of two types
biodegradable and non-biodegradable is as follows.
Characteristics of waste for pune city. Out of total garbage 70% waste
is organic waste, 8% is paper waste, 7% is plastic waste, 4% metal
waste, 6% glass waste, and 5% miscellaneous waste. Figure-8 Organic
waste includes leaves, timber waste, vegetable extract, kitchen waste,
household waste, hotels waste, fruits and juice centre residue etc. Paper
waste includes paper dish, news paper, paper box, paper bags,
wrapping materials (e.g. soap cover, tooth paste cover, match box
cover) etc. Plastic waste includes plastic bags, broken plastic material
(e.g. mug, bucket, pipes, plastic covers, plastic wrapping material).
Metal waste includes screw, nut bolt, electronic parts, damage vehicle
parts etc. Glass waste includes broken glass materials, bear bottle,
glass lamp, bulb, tube lights. Miscellaneous waste includes all sanitary
waste.
Figure-2 shows that source wise quantity generation of waste in
percent at pune city. out of which 40% waste is domestic waste
(household) waste, 25% waste is from commercial area, 5% waste is
from market area, 25% waste is from hotels and restaurants and 5%
waste is of vegetable waste. Recently this MSW is collected,
transported from 14 ward that are Aundh, Ghole road, Warje, Karve
nagar, Dhole-Patil ward, Yerwada, Sangamwadi, Bhavani peth, kasba,
vishrambaug wada, Sahakar nagar, Tilak road, Bibwewadi,
Dhankawadi and Hadapsar. The collected MSW waste is disposed at
Urali Devachi site which is about 20 km away from Pune, at Devachi
Urali. The total cost for collection, transportation and disposal is Rs.
60 crores per year.
Physico-chemical analysis of leachate and water: From figure-3 and
table-1 It is indicate that the chromium within the leachate sample is

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Research Journal of Recent Sciences ____________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277 - 2502
Vol. 1(ISC-2011), 348-351 (2012)
Res.J.Recent.Sci
exceeds the limit. Chromium of sample no. III is more i.e. 8 mg/l. as
compare to other sample. From this result it is indicate that leachate
sample containing high amount of chromium. Sample result ranges
from 5 to 8 mg/l.
From the figure-4 and table -1 it is observe that zinc within the
leachate sample is exceeds the limit. Zinc content of sample no. II is
more i.e. 15 mg/l. as compare to other sample. From this result it is
indicate that leachate sample containing high amount of zinc. Sample
result ranges from 10 to 15 mg/l. From table-2 and figure-5 it is
observe that the chromium within the well water sample is exceeds the
limit. Chromium of sample A within January month is more i.e. 8.2
mg/l as compare to other sample. From this result it is indicate that
well water sample containing high amount of chromium. Sample result
ranges from 5 to 8 mg/l. From table-2 and figure-6 it is observe that
Zinc within the well water sample is exceeds the limit. Zinc content of
sample A within July month is more i.e. 9.5 mg/l as compare to other
sample. From this result it is indicate that well water sample containing
high amount of zinc. Sample result ranges from 6 to 9.5 mg/l.
The analytical data showed that concentration of chromium and zinc in
leachate is 5 to 8 mg/l and 10 to 15 mg/l respectively which is more
than permissible limit of MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control
Board). The concentration of chromium and zinc is 5 to 8 mg/l and 6 to
9.5 mg/l in nearby well water (800 and 1200 meters away from landfill
site). This clearly indicates that there is higher concentration of these
metals in well water. The people residing in these areas are using well
water for drinking, domestic and for agricultural use. It is observed that
the people living in this area having health and hygienic problems such
as allergic, asthmatic, bronchitis, skin irritation and gastro intestinal
diseases.

References
1.

Y. Anjaneyula Introduction to Environmental Science (2005)

2.

Dhere A.M. and Pardeshi P.B., Municipal solid waste disposal in
Pune city–Current science (95)6 (2008)

3.

Taylan V., Dahiya R.P., Anand S., and Sreekrishnan,
Quantification of Methane emission from Solid Waste Disposal in
Delhi, Journal of Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 3, 240259 (2007)

4.

CPCB, Management of Municipal Solid Waste, Central Pollution
Board: Delhi, (http://www.cpcb.com) (2000)

5.

Chian E.S.K., Stability of organic matter in landfill leachates,
Water Res. 11, 225–232 (1977)

6.

Abdul-Wahab S.A., Modeling Methane and Vinyl chloride in Soil
surrounding landfill, International Journal of Environmental
Pollution, 21, 339-349 (2004)

7.

APHA, Standard Methods for examination of water and waste
water, American Public Health Association AWWA WCPF,
Washington, 17th Edition (1998)

8.

Baig S., Coulomb I., Courant P., Liechti P., Treatment of landfill
leachate: Lapeyrouse and Satrod case studies, Ozone Sci. Eng, 21,
1–22 (1999)

9.

Baver L.D., and Gardner W.R., Soil Physics, John Willey and
Inc., New York (1972)

10. Baun D.L. and Christensen T.H., Speciation of heavy metals in
landfill leachate: a review, Waste Manage Res., 22, 3–23 (2004)

11. Coim D.S., An Digestion of organic fraction of Municipal solid
waste, Indian
(1997)

Conclusion
From overall study and analysis is concluded that the solid waste
disposal methods at Urali Devachi Depot (Mantarwadi) generate many
environmental as well as health hazards within the surrounding area. It
also causes harmful health effect on people living in that area. Open
dumping of solid waste affect the aesthetic value of the surrounding
area of the disposal site. It also produces very bad smell at the time of
decomposition process. At the time of decomposition it released a
various gases within the surrounding area due to that air get polluted
and this pollution leads to global warming. All this gases e.g. SO2,
CH4, CO2 etc. are very harmful to human health. The released of this
beyond average limit causes disorders related to respiratory tract.
Leachate formed from waste mixed with ground water and pollutes
that water.
Concentration of all parameters found in well water is exceeds the
limit so it is not safe for drinking, commercial used, irrigation and
industrial purpose. These leachates have corrosive activity which is
also dangerous for human health. So the dumping ground not only
affect environment but also damage the property in the vicinity area.
The current practices needs to improve for managing waste.

Parameters
Chromium(mg/l)
Zinc (mg/l)

Journal of Environmental Health, 3, 193-196

12. Cotton A. and Ali M., Informal Sector waste recycling. 19th
Water, Sanitation (1993)

13. EPTRI, Status of solid waste disposal in Metropolis Hyderabad,
Environmental Protection Institute, Hyderabad (1995)

14. El-Fadel M., Findikakis A.N. and Leckie J.O. Environmental
Impact of Solid Waste Land Filling, Journal of Environmental
Management, 50, 1-25 (1971)

15. India States of the Environment, Hazardous waste: Special
reference to Municipal Solid Waste Management, 133-149 (2001)
(http://cpcb.delhi.nic.in)

16. Gosh P.C., Use of paper mill wastes water as a soil amendment of
acid soils, Sci. and Cult., 32, 312-316 (1966)

17. Stegmann R. and Heyer K.U., Leachate management: leachate
generation, collection, treatment and costs (2006)

Table-1
Leachate analysis generated at disposal site which is accumulated in ponds
Samples
MPCB consent Limit
Jul. 2010
Aug.2010
Nov.2010
Dec.2010
7
6
8
5
<0.1 mg/l
10
15
13
12
<5 mg/l

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Research Journal of Recent Sciences ____________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277 - 2502
Vol. 1(ISC-2011), 348-351 (2012)
Res.J.Recent.Sci
Table-2
Showing well Water analysis results which are 800 and 1200 meters respectively away from disposal site
Samples
Parameters
Jan.2010
May.2010
Jul.2010
MPCB consent Limit
A
B
A
B
A
B
B
Chromium(mg/l)
8.2
6.8
7.4
7.5
6.5
6.8
<0.1 mg/l
Zinc (mg/l)
6
7.5
6.6
8.2
9.5
7.5
<5 mg/l

Zinc in mg/l

20

15

13

12

10

10

5

5

5

MPCB Consent Limit

5

Sample Zinc

0
Jul. 2010 Aug.2010
I
II

Nov.2010
III

Dec.2010
IV

MPCB Consent Limit & Sample Zinc
Figure-4
Concentration of Zinc in mg/l

Figure-1
Waste characteristics for Pune

Vegetable waste
Hotels and
Restaurants

25%

40%

Market area
5%

25%

10
Chromium in mg/l

5%

8.2

8

6.8

7.47.5

6.5 6.8

6
MPCB Consent Limit

4
2

Chromium Sample A
0.1

0.1

0.1

Chromium Sample B

0

commercial

Jan.2010
(I)

May.2010
(II)

Jul.2010
(III)

MPCB Consent Limit & Sample Chromium

8
6
4
2
0

8

7

0.1

Figure-5
Concentration of Chromium in mg/l

6

0.1

5

0.1

0.1
MPCB Consent Limit
Sample Chromium

MPCB Consent Limit & Sample Chromium

Zinc in mg/l

Chromium in mg/l

Figure-2
Source wise quantity generation in Pune

10
8
6
4
2
0

9.5
8.2

7.5
5

7.5

6.6

6
5

5
MPCB Consent Limit
Zinc Sample A
Zinc Sample B

Jan.2010
(I)

May.2010
(II)

Jul.2010
(III)

MPCB Consent Limit & Sample Zinc
Figure-3
Concentration of chromium in mg/l

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Figure-6
Concentration of Zinc in mg/l

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