Case Study of the Day: Biomining of Legacy Waste in Kolkata

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, has a major legacy waste problem. The Dhapa landfill, which has been in operation since 1987, is home to over 4 million tonnes of unsegregated solid waste. This waste is a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It also poses a risk of fires and the spread of disease.

Solution

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is working to eliminate the legacy waste in Dhapa through biomining. Biomining is a process that uses microorganisms to break down organic waste. This process produces methane, but it also produces less methane than traditional landfilling methods. In addition, biomining can help to stabilize the waste and reduce the risk of fires.

Implementation

The biomining project at Dhapa began in 2019. The first step was to excavate the waste and spread it out in thin layers. Then, microorganisms were added to the waste to help with the decomposition process. The waste was then turned and mixed regularly to help the microorganisms do their work.

Results

The biomining project at Dhapa has processed over 0.78 million tonnes of waste. This has resulted in a significant reduction in methane emissions from the landfill. In addition, the project has helped to stabilize the waste and reduce the risk of fires.

Challenges

The biomining project at Dhapa has faced some challenges. One challenge has been the high cost of the project. Another challenge has been the difficulty of managing the large volumes of waste.

Conclusion

The biomining project at Dhapa is a promising solution to the problem of legacy waste in Kolkata. The project has shown that biomining can be an effective way to reduce methane emissions, stabilize waste, and reduce the risk of fires. However, the project is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether it will be able to eliminate the legacy waste in Dhapa by the target date of June 2024.

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