Which of the following statements with respect to characteristics of solid waste is correct?
The refuse of a typical Indian city has more garbage percentage (by weight) than that of a city in the USA.
Understanding Solid Waste Characteristics in Urban Areas
Solid waste, often referred to as refuse, differs significantly in composition and characteristics across different regions, particularly between developing and developed countries. These differences are influenced by factors such as lifestyle, dietary habits, economic status, and waste management practices.
When comparing the characteristics of solid waste from a typical Indian city and a city in the USA, key distinctions emerge in terms of its constituent materials like garbage (organic waste) and rubbish (inorganic waste), as well as its density.
Composition of Solid Waste: Garbage vs. Rubbish
Solid waste is broadly classified into:
- Garbage: This primarily includes putrescible organic waste such as food scraps, vegetable peelings, and yard waste. It is characterized by high moisture content and decomposability.
- Rubbish: This includes non-putrescible inorganic and combustible or non-combustible materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles, rubber, leather, wood, glass, metals, and ashes.
Comparing Waste Composition: India vs. USA
Typically, the composition of municipal solid waste in India shows a higher percentage of organic matter (garbage) compared to that in the USA. This is largely due to dietary habits that involve cooking fresh food from raw ingredients daily, resulting in significant amounts of food waste and vegetable scraps. Furthermore, the use of packaged goods is relatively less prevalent compared to the USA, leading to a lower proportion of packaging waste (part of rubbish).
In contrast, solid waste in the USA tends to have a lower percentage of organic waste and a significantly higher percentage of paper, cardboard, plastics, and other packaging materials. This reflects a lifestyle with higher consumption of processed and packaged foods and a greater volume of disposable goods.
| Component | Typical Indian City | Typical USA City |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Waste (Garbage) | Higher percentage (e.g., 40-60%) | Lower percentage (e.g., 20-30%) |
| Paper & Cardboard | Lower percentage | Higher percentage |
| Plastics | Lower percentage | Higher percentage |
| Other Rubbish (Glass, Metal, Textiles, etc.) | Lower to Moderate percentage | Moderate percentage |
Analyzing the Given Statements
Let's evaluate each statement based on the typical characteristics:
- The refuse of a typical Indian city has less garbage percentage (by weight) than that of a city in the USA.
This statement is incorrect. As discussed, Indian cities typically have a higher percentage of garbage.
- The refuse of a typical Indian city has less density than that of a city in the USA.
This statement is generally incorrect. The higher organic content and moisture level in Indian waste often result in higher density compared to the drier, less organic waste in the USA.
- The refuse of a typical Indian city has more rubbish percentage (by weight) than that of a city in the USA.
This statement is incorrect. Indian cities typically have a lower percentage of rubbish (like paper, plastic, packaging) compared to the USA.
- The refuse of a typical Indian city has more garbage percentage (by weight) than that of a city in the USA.
This statement is correct. Indian cities are known to have a significantly higher proportion of organic waste (garbage) by weight.
Therefore, the statement that accurately reflects the characteristics of solid waste in a typical Indian city compared to a city in the USA is the one indicating a higher garbage percentage by weight.
Revision Table: Solid Waste Characteristics
| Characteristic | Indian City Waste | USA City Waste |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage (% by weight) | Higher | Lower |
| Rubbish (% by weight) | Lower | Higher |
| Density | Generally Higher (due to moisture/organics) | Generally Lower |
| Moisture Content | Higher | Lower |
Additional Information: Factors Affecting Waste Composition
Several factors influence the composition and characteristics of municipal solid waste in any region:
- Economic Development: Higher income levels often correlate with increased consumption of packaged goods and disposable products, leading to more paper, plastic, and packaging waste (rubbish).
- Dietary Habits: Diets rich in fresh produce and home cooking result in more food waste (garbage). Diets involving more processed and pre-packaged foods lead to less organic waste from meal preparation but more packaging waste.
- Climate: Climate can affect moisture content and the rate of decomposition. Tropical climates might have higher moisture content in waste.
- Waste Management Practices: The presence of source separation, recycling programs, and composting initiatives can significantly alter the composition of the final waste collected for disposal. For example, effective organic waste collection reduces the garbage percentage in residual waste.
Understanding these characteristics is crucial for designing effective solid waste management systems, including collection, treatment, and disposal methods like composting, recycling, and landfilling.
Important Questions from Disposing of Sewage Effluents
Self-purification of running streams may be due to:
Which of the following retards the self-purification of stream?
Which of the following gives decreasing order of sewer size (in terms of diameter)?
The normal balanced condition of the stream will be restored by the process called:
The process to counterbalance the consumption of D.O due to the de-oxygenation, atmosphere supplies oxygen to the water is called __________.
