Kohima: Nagaland University hosted a hybrid lecture on solid waste management on October 21. The Committee for Mission LiFE organized the event at the Lumami campus. Public Relations Officer Peter Ki introduced the guest speaker, Professor Ligy Philip from IIT Madras.
Waste trends differ wildly. Rural residents generate up to 0.4 kg of waste daily. Urbanites produce up to 1.2 kg. This spike stems from packaged foods and higher incomes. Prof. Philip noted that rural waste is often organic and reused for livestock, keeping it out of landfills.
Improper disposal creates massive problems. Open dumping breeds rats and mosquitoes. It also poisons water sources. "Source reduction and reuse, such as carrying cloth bags instead of accepting single-use bags, remained the most sustainable approaches because they prevented waste generation in the first place," Philip said.
Pollutants seep into groundwater. Microplastics also contaminate the soil. Segregation at the source is vital. Households must separate organic, non-biodegradable, and sanitary waste. Organic matter creates compost. Recyclables include glass and metal. Sanitary items need specialized handling.
Philip prioritized a strict waste hierarchy. Reduction sits at the top. Landfilling stays at the bottom. She pushed for engineered sanitary landfills instead of open pits. These require liners and leachate collection systems to protect local water.
Composting offers a local fix. It requires a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 30:1. Proper aerobic composting hits temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius. This kills pathogens. Communities can use pit or vermicomposting methods.
Success stories exist. A village program in 12 communities integrated waste systems. One village sold mature compost for Rs 25 per kg. These sales covered one-third of the operating costs.
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