Showing papers in "International Journal of Environment and Waste Management in 2015"

How to design and manage WEEE systems: a multi-level analysis

Abstract: The growing production of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) justifies the increasing attention of both institutional and industrial organisations. The fast adoption of legislations, rules, and practices leads to a great dis-homogeneity in the technical, organisational and cost models adopted world-wide. The paper proposes a scientific literature analysis about WEEE design and management processes. A three-level taxonomy has been proposed in order to classify research papers: the basic logic is to propose a comparison between a WEEE system and an typical industrial engineering problem. The two first levels refer to the most critical issues characterising the design as well as the management of a typical WEEE reverse chain. The last one analyses different approaches/tools/methods currently applied in the scientific literature for WEEE design and management. A discussion is proposed to support waste practitioners as well as researchers in developing more effective and efficient WEEE management systems.

Waste management policy: implications for landfill waste salvagers in the Western Cape

Abstract: The City of Cape Town Solid Waste Management Department's (CCTSWMD) design of a more formal, integrated and sustainable waste management system is being pursued at the expense of the poor and marginalised. The city's waste management policy aims to improve waste management technology and in so doing eliminate landfill salvaging. This article examines CCTSWMD's policy prohibiting landfill salvaging and the intended and unintended consequences of such a decision on landfill waste salvagers. Given that suitable sites for land filling are scarce and difficult to acquire, costs to create new landfills are extremely high, incineration is too expensive and incompatible with South Africa's environmental standards and the absence of a formalised system for waste separation at source in South Africa, waste recovery at the landfill remains the best option for both meeting waste minimisation goals and the basic needs of the poor. These findings informed the development of an integrated waste management model that is in concert with the policy directives but more importantly, ensures that the now destitute waste salvagers regain some form of income security and human dignity.

Improved understanding of the pozzolanic behaviour of MSWI fly ash with Ca(OH)2 solution

Abstract: The study aims at investigating pozzolanic behaviour of MSWI fly ash in a saturated Ca(OH)2 solution at various times. The raw and water-washed fly ashes were selected for the pozzolanic solidification experiment to which mass ratios of the solution to ash (ml/g) were adjusted to be 3 and 10, whereas the solidification times were set from 7 to 28 days and from one to three months. From the XRD Rietveld analysis, a mineral assemblage of fly ash exhibited pozzolanic reactivity to form compounds of hydraulic cementitious materials. Here the considerable amounts of syngenite and gypsum, but small amounts of ettringite, hydrocalumite and C-S-H phase, were produced during the pozzolanic reaction of raw fly ash. Likewise, the washed fly ash exhibited the cementitious property with high quantity of gypsum and ettringite. From the leaching test, the solidified products exhibited release of lesser heavy metals about the untreated parent materials.

Anaerobic digestion of simulated-organic fraction of municipal solid waste: effect of alkaline pretreatment

Abstract: The rapid accumulation of municipal solid waste is of significant environmental concern. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising solution for stabilising the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). The study characterises the effects of alkaline pretreatment of simulated-organic fraction of municipal solid waste (S-OFMSW) using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) at four pH values of 10, 11, 12 and 13 and two temperatures of 23±1°C and 80±1°C. Pretreatment at pH 13 and 80±1°C demonstrated the maximum S-OFMSW solubility for both NaOH and KOH. However, biogas production from BMP assays for both pretreatment chemicals demonstrated the greatest biogas yields relative to removed volatile solids (VS) at pH 12 and 23±1°C. Semi-continuous reactor experiments of S-OFMSW pretreated with NaOH and KOH at pH 12 and 23±1°C at SRTs of 10, 15, and 20 days demonstrated that pretreatment significantly improves the AD performance at SRTs of 10 and 15 days.

Design of horizontal trenches for leachate recirculation in bioreactor landfills using two-phase modelling

Abstract: Horizontal trenches (HTs) are the simplest form of leachate recirculation systems (LRSs), constructed by excavating a trench to a desired depth and length along the length of a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. The performance of HTs is mainly based on few empirical studies. Moreover, previous mathematical models often either considered the MSW as saturated than unsaturated or assumed incorrect MSW properties. Hence, those studies lack the accuracy needed for the efficient design of HT. In this study, parametric studies are performed to develop design charts for HTs considering real field MSW conditions. Heterogeneous-anisotropic MSW resulted in an increase in wetted width and area and a decrease in the pore pressures developed than homogeneous-isotropic waste. Normalised design charts are provided to estimate wetted width, wetted area and pore water pressure at steady-state for a given leachate injection rate, hydraulic conductivity and the dimension and location of HT from a LRS.

A novel approach to estimate methane oxidation in interim landfill covers across the USA

Abstract: This study consisted using a numerical model to simulate methane emission and oxidation through simulated interim landfill covers located in different climatic zones of the USA. Results of these simulations show that methane loading has a significant influence on methane oxidation. At low methane loading, the soil cover is able to oxidise all of the methane coming from below. At these loading rates the soil cover can oxidise 100% of the incoming methane. As for fraction oxidised, there seems to be a methane loading rate below which methane oxidation is equal to 100%. Above this methane loading, the cover is not able to oxidise all of the incoming methane. Therefore, percent oxidation starts to decrease as the methane loading increases. Fraction oxidised, for all climates was expressed as a function of the methane loading escaping the landfill gas collection system. These functions are characteristics of each climate type.

The causes of waste generated in Malaysian housing construction sites using site observations and interviews

Abstract: One of the main contributors to the waste generated in the Malaysian construction industry is housing projects. The main issues in this area are the lack of concern on the causes and contributory factors of waste generated. The objective of this study is to explore the causes and contributory factors that cause waste to be generated according to the material activity for the major waste generated in the housing construction sites. The identification of the waste causes by the material is significant as waste source detection. The methodology used in this study is site observations and interviews with the site personnel. The study found the similarity in term of the two major contributors; the management and the workers. From the study, the factors that cause waste to be generated are highlighted and the waste site checklist according to the material can be developed as a guideline for the site personnel and site management.

Research instrument design for performance measures of green manufacturing practices in India - a pilot study

Abstract: Green manufacturing (GM) is a terminology that minimises waste and pollution. It emphasises on the use of processes that do not pollute the environment or harm consumers, employees, or other members of the community. GM is fast emerging as the sustainable manufacturing solution that has the potential to solve most problems that the world faces today. A pilot survey was undertaken by the authors in mid 2011 to determine the extent of awareness and implementation of GM practices within various manufacturing industries in central India. In this paper an approach is made to develop an instrument to find the status of awareness and implementation of GM in India. It also aims at developing and validating performance measures for GM in the Indian context that could be used by manufacturers in assessing and improving their environmental manufacturing performance. Using a comprehensive blend of the literature, eight performance measures of GM and their 59 variables have been developed. The identified performance measures were subjected to appropriate statistical tests to establish reliability and validity. The validated instrument developed here may be used by manufacturing organisations to prioritise their efforts to assess and implement GM.

An overview of current household waste management in Indonesia: development of a new integrated strategy

Abstract: One of the main problems of current socio-economic activities in Indonesia is how to deal with the increasing amounts of household waste generated in urban areas. This paper discusses the main issues of the current management of household waste in Indonesia and analyses its socio-economic factors as well as introduces a new strategy to utilise and reduce household waste for current and future generations. Many large cities in Indonesia are suffering from severe problems caused by disorderly household waste handling and require an integrated management approach involving various players. The paper addresses the implementation of 3R activities by the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Public Work and Society. The study found that the introduction of biomass, pollutant and waste treatment sectors with proper advanced technologies will reduce waste generation and CO2 emissions. The study also suggests that the coordination between regional governments and political commitment are necessary and that the Indonesian Government should be open-minded about new ways to comprehensively deal with all types of waste.

Chemically activated phosphate slime as adsorbent for heavy metals removal from polluted water

Abstract: Phosphate slime was activated by chemical activators (0.5 M HNO3, 1 M HNO3, 2MHNO3, 0.5MHNO3: 0.5M NaOH, 1MHNO3: 1M NaOH, and 2MHNO3: 2M NaOH) to use as a cost-effective adsorbent for removal of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn and Cu) from solution. The influence of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial metal concentration, and temperature on metals adsorption were investigated. Results revealed that slime phosphate activated by 2MHNO3 was an effective adsorbent for the removal of all metals from aqueous solution. Metal removal was affected by pH, adsorption dosage, initial metal concentration and solution temperature, while it shows less significant for effect of contact time. Metal adsorption was in a good correspondence with the Langmuir isotherm. The order for the maximum adsorption using the adsorbent was Zn (43.47 mg/g) > Cu (38.46 mg/g) > Ni (34.47 mg/g) > Pb (33.3 mg/g) > Cd (26.31 mg/g).

Tertiary treatment of abattoir wastewater in a horizontal subsurface flow-constructed wetland under tropical conditions

Abstract: A horizontal subsurface flow-constructed wetland (HSSF-CW) system planted with Cyperus papyrus was used to polish abattoir wastewater pre-treated in anaerobic and aerobic sequencing batch reactors at City Abattoir, Kampala. The HSSF-CW was 13 m long, 5 m wide, and was filled with gravel up to a depth of 0.6 m, of which 0.55 m was saturated with wastewater at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.16 days. The percentage removals for turbidity, ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N), total nitrogen (TN), orthophosphate (o-PO4-P), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and faecal coliform were 76, 48, 46, 74, 63, 60, and 100, respectively. Among different plant tissues investigated (roots, culm, sheath and umbel), nitrogen concentration was highest in the sheath. The different parts of plants also had different concentrations of phosphorus, with the culm having the highest concentration. Compared to literature, the percentage removals for organic matter, nutrients and faecal coliforms reported in this paper were high. Therefore, C. papyrus based constructed wetlands could potentially be used for tertiary treatment of abattoir effluents.

Biomass-electrochemical integrated system for distillery wastewater treatment with electricity generation using anaerobic mixed consortium in microbial fuel cells

Abstract: The electricity generation and industrial wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with primary treated distillery wastewater as substrate and permanganate as cathodic electron acceptor was studied. Initially, low voltage (0.625 V) and current (2.9 mA) were obtained at a substrate loading of 2,680 mg COD l−1 and further increased (1.165 V and 5.40 mA) at 4,360 mg COD l−1 with the provided larger anode surface area and the cathode electron acceptor. As a wastewater treatment, 85% COD was removed at a 2,680 mg COD l−1, whereas at 4,360 mg COD l−1 57% of COD removal was observed. During electrochemical oxidation, 24.3% and 36% of melanoidins decolourisation with 41.8% and 31% of coulombic efficiency were also achieved at 2,680 mg COD l−1 and 4360 mg COD l−1 due to the biocatalytic activity of mixed bacterial consortium. This study shows the capability of MFC system to treat the high-organic load as well as generation of energy using biocatalytic oxidation.

Management of organic content in municipal solid waste – a case study of Lahore

Abstract: Poor solid waste management (SWM) is one of the leading obstacles for absolute clean and healthy environment. Growing economy of Lahore has rapidly increased growth rate which in turn has flared solid waste generation. Municipal solid waste is contributing heavily to air, water and land pollution and a major portion of municipal waste is organic. Generally considered unfruitful, this organic waste can become a source of economic growth by application of engineering techniques. This includes incineration, land filling and composting. Organic waste disposal options in Lahore are discussed with comparison and conclusion for the best option for prosperous and healthy Lahore.

Chromium (VI) removal using nano-TiO2/chitosan film in photocatalytic system

Abstract: TiO2/chitosan film was fabricated by chitosan flake from crab shell and TiO2 (Degussa P25) and immobilised on a glass plate for chromium (VI) removal. Adsorption and photocatalytic activity of chromium (VI) removal and chelating ability of chitosan to enhance photocatalytic activity were investigated. The effect of chitosan and TiO2 contents of film property was conducted. The chitosan concentration 1.5% w/w with different TiO2 concentration was homogenous solution leading to smooth TiO2/chitosan film with high ability in chromium (VI) removal. The adsorption of TiO2/chitosan film with ratio 0.8% TiO2 and 1.5% chitosan resulted in chromium (VI) removal up to 64.05%. With photocatalytic process, the TiO2/chitosan can remove all of residual chromium (VI) in wastewater. The kinetics of the photocatalytic process using Langmuir-Hinshelwood model were also discussed. The TiO2/chitosan film can be a potential catalyst for heavy metal removal in photocatalytic process.

Development of a refuse truck driving cycle collective based on measurement data

Abstract: Driving cycles play an important role in the assessment of fuel consumption and emissions of both passenger and commercial vehicles. The used cycle has significant impact on the results of simulations and experiments. In this work, a method for the derivation of a driving cycle collective based on measurement data is presented. The approach differs from existing methods because it considers not only the time-velocity signal, but also additional signals such as the road grade or the vehicle mass. Using optimisation techniques, a representative driving cycle can be extracted according to individual specifications. Once a driving cycle has been derived, the developed framework can be used to find similar driving cycles from consecutive vehicle operations in order to generate a complete cycle collective. The developed procedure is illustrated for the derivation of a refuse truck cycle collective, but the presented methods can be applied for various applications and allow for the fast development of extended driving cycles with individual requirements.

An assessment of waste management operation in Malaysia: case study on Kuala Langat and Sepang

Abstract: Malaysia has seen a high rate of economic growth in the past couple of decades, hand in hand with an ever increasing size of population. Consequently, the issue of sustainable waste management has become an important priority for policymakers and other stakeholders of the society. Although the respective local administrations are responsible for collection and disposal of household and industrial wastes, privatisation of the entire process has been heavily promoted and pursued by the federal government of the country. A significant number of waste dealers - both formal and informal - are currently involved in the field level. Through analysing the inputs acquired from semi-structured interviews with these waste dealers operating at Kuala Langat and Sepang districts in Selangor state, it was found that inconsistency in policy formation by local authorities on waste disposal regulations and as well bureaucracy in business registration for waste dealers has indirectly encouraged illegal dumping of waste in the districts. However, against all odds the districts have potentials for viable recycling business.

Optimising the mixing proportion of solidified landfill waste for sustainable reuse in paving block construction

Abstract: The study optimises the mixing proportion for solidified landfill waste confirming the immobilisation of heavy metal in the waste matrix. Paving blocks were constructed for compressive strength and leachate behaviour analysis. The study revealed the mixing proportion of 1:2 for paving block construction was found to be optimum providing a satisfactory compressive strength of 2,748 psi after 28 days curing period. In addition, cumulative leaching concentrations of Fe, Cu and Ni from the same proportioned solidified blocks were found to be 1.203 mg/l, 0.157 mg/l and 0.493 mg/l respectively along with the nominal rate of release of heavy metals after 28 days of curing period by ensuring the encapsulation of heavy metals in the solidified matrix. The outcome of the study will be potential solution to treat and recycle the harmful wastes as construction materials like paving blocks, river bank protection materials, road construction materials, etc., using S/S techniques.

Energy recovery through biohydrogen production for sustainable anaerobic waste treatment: an overview

Abstract: The paper is a comprehensive review of the literature for the last five years to provide the current status of H2 production through anaerobic digestion of industrial waste. Hydrogen production through dark fermentation is still far from industrial application. More research is needed to overcome the metabolic limitation and increase H2 yield, rate, and substrate-to-H2 conversion efficiency in a stable process. Generally, studies on effects of culture pretreatment are contradictory and lacked energy and cost analysis in their evaluation. More studies are expected to appear on two-stage and integrative systems of various H2 and other biofuels or value-added chemicals bioprocesses. Metabolic modelling, metabolic engineering, and molecular biology aspects of the microbial community are the current research areas for H2 production through dark fermentation and a coordinative research agenda is required to integrate them into a goal-directed plan. Investment and funding of research are the major drives needed to achieve a milestone.

Urban environmental services: valuing the environmental benefits of solid waste recycling in Brazil

Abstract: Taking into account environmental and economic aspects, this research aims at estimating the environmental services produced by municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling The text values the urban environmental services associated with the recycling of steel, aluminium, paper, plastic and glass present in MSW in Brazil Estimates indicate that benefits of current recycling rates reaches something between US$ 11 billion and US$ 24 billion per year; moreover, if all recyclable material were recycled, such benefits would increase up to US$ 52 billion

Numerical evaluation of different landfill daily cover in semiarid areas – Jordan

Abstract: Efficient and suitable daily landfill cover is considered the most important aspect for minimising the negative impact of landfills on the local environment and population, especially in arid and semiarid countries. In this study, numerical model, HYDRUS-2D/3D, was used to investigate the impact of landfill cover type, cover thickness and antecedent water content on the quantity and the rate of contaminant percolation through the Mafraq landfill in Jordan during a 30-year simulation period. Four different cover types (sandy loam, clay loam, silt and clay), three cover thicknesses (0, 50, 100 cm) and two antecedent soil water content values (θi = 0.12 and 0.20 m3m−3) were simulated. Initial chloride concentration of 665 mg/l which is equal to the measured concentration in Mafraq landfill leachate was used during simulation. Simulation results showed that maximum chloride concentration for different scenarios at all locations within the soil profile during the entire simulation period was less than the chloride concentration in the municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate. In addition, as the landfill cover thickness increases, the concentration of chloride at a certain location decreases. Meanwhile, the time required to reach this location increases. The simulation results also showed that the effect of θi on chloride concentration reduction increases as the cover thickness increases. A cover thickness of 50 cm is suitable in case of low θi.

A novel Burkholderia vietnamiensis strain for biodegradation of residual tylosin antibiotic in fermentation solid waste

Abstract: A large amount of fermentation solid waste (FSW) has been generated during the course of tylosin production. This FSW is difficult to be treated and reused because of tylosin residue. In this study, a novel strain TS1 was isolated and identified as Burkholderia vietnamiensis. This isolate exhibited a strong ability to degrade tylosin, and almost 100% of 200 mg kg−1 tylosin was biodegraded after seven days of incubation. Medium pH and temperature had some influences on the biodegradation capacity of strain TS1. The favourable biodegrading conditions were at pH 7.0 and 30-35°C. The behaviour of tylosin degradation followed a first-order kinetic, and the half-lives were 1.54 to 1.70 days when the initial concentrations of tylosin were from 50 mg kg−1 to 400 mg kg−1. These findings suggest that strain TS1 can effectively degrade tylosin residue in FSW and may be used for biotreatment of antibiotic solid waste containing tylosin residue.

Comparing efficiency of bone char, cone char and cone active carbon in removal of fluoride from source water

Abstract: In this study, bone char, cone char and cone active carbon due to being cheaper than commercial active carbon for removing fluoride from water was investigated. The effect of parameters such as pH, contact time and initial fluoride concentration were examined. Excel, SPSS software, ANOVA and t-test were used for data analysis. The direct experimental findings showed that efficiency rate of different adsorbents for concentration of 8 mg/L is noticeably different (p < 0.05), also for 6 mg/L concentration, the remarkable difference just reveals in active carbon and cone columns but it did not show any difference with bone char column (p < 0.05). The statistical result showed although the active carbon efficiency in 4, 6 and 8 mg/L has no different, it is significant for bone coal and cone (p < 0.05). It means the fluoride removal ability decrease for concentration more than 6 mg/L in bone coal and cone, but not in active carbon (p < 0.05). The results showed that these adsorbents are convenient and cheap absorbent for fluoride removal.

The creation and monitoring of a network for solid healthcare waste management

Abstract: Healthcare waste mismanagement constitutes a serious environmental and sanitary problem, especially in developing countries. This article describes the strategy and the methodology of the implementation of a national network for healthcare waste management by a non-profit organisation in Lebanon, taking into consideration environmental, social and economic issues. It presents a holistic description of the main aspects of this crucial sustainable development topic: the elaboration of the strategy and the selection of the optimal treatment technique based on an analysis of the context; the training on waste minimisation and waste management issues inside hospitals; the waste transportation and treatment procedures; the quality management of the process; the evaluation and the monitoring of the produced quantities and the established system; the optimisation of sterilisation parameters and process in order to reduce sterilisation time and fuel consumption.

Proposal for an operational performance indicator to evaluate sorting and composting plants for municipal solid waste

Abstract: Sorting and composting plants (SCPs) are considered an option for the adequate destination of municipal solid waste, especially in small municipalities. However, SCPs have not reached the expected operational efficiency. In Minas Gerais, Brazil, a specific tool is needed to systematically evaluate these plants. The aim of this study, therefore, is to propose and apply a performance indicator for SCPs using the intervening factors defined by the Delphi method, based on the parameters of the quality index for composting plants and the practical experience gained resulting from monitoring these plants. A first version of the indicator was applied to 22 units in Minas Gerais and, following adaptations, the SCPs operational performance indicator was created, which met the expectations of this research in terms of SCPs representativeness.

Effect of MGO additive on preventing leakage of Cr(VI)

Abstract: The effect of a new additive, oxide magnesium (MgO), on preventing or reducing the leakage of Cr(VI) from a fly ash (coal ash) has been investigated by batch contact and column percolation tests. The test results indirectly indicate that the MgO additive has an obvious effect on reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III), which is less environmentally hazardous. However, the process of reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III) may be reversible because adding H2SO4 or CaH2O2 into the balanced solid-liquid mixture for partially simulating possible environmental change increased Cr(VI) concentration in the liquid phase. Adding 10% to 30% of Ariake clay into the fly ash not only further reduced Cr(VI) concentration, but also reduced total Cr concentration. Hence, Cr(III) ions may be absorbed by the clay minerals. For the conditions investigated, the column percolation test resulted in higher initial Cr(VI) concentration in the liquid phase than that of the batch contact test. Further, the results of the column percolation test using the samples with different curing time (up to three weeks) indicate that with MgO additive, curing the sample does not have an obvious effect on Cr(VI) concentration.

Study on the effect of textile effluent on the growth and fecundity of Eudrilus euginiae

Abstract: Eudrilus euginiae is one among the well studied species of earthworms involved in the conversion of organic waste resources into value added products (vermicompost). Efforts were taken to understand the impact of textile effluent on the population of earthworms mimicking the condition prevalent in textile belt of Tamil Nadu, India where effluents are drained into the cultivable land through the water stream. Categories of earthworms were maintained and drained with calculated amounts of raw, chemically and biologically treated effluents for a period of eight weeks in which fecundity and growth were recorded. There was significantly high fecundity in the soil treated with raw effluent than that of control and the treated effluents suggesting us to use of these worms for bioremediation of textile effluent polluted soil.

Parameters evaluation of the co-composting of sewage sludge and grass clippings using the respirometric method

Abstract: Despite several previous studies, a better understanding of the sewage sludge composting process is necessary. This study evaluates the use of an automated respirometer with hermetic rotary reactor (ARHRR) to evaluate O2 consumption and CO2 production during the co-composting of sewage sludge and grass clippings. For this research, we used an apparatus consisting of an automated respirometer with hermetic rotary reactor (ARHRR), a gas analyser, and a microcomputer for automatic data acquisition. The results show that the use of the ARHRR reduces the composting time to 30 days and produce no odour during the process. The compost thus produced showed a carbon/nitrogen ratio of 16:1 and a pH of 8.02, making it suitable for use as an agricultural fertiliser. The evaluation of the ARHRR by means of co-composting sewage sludge and grass clippings enables its use as a parameter for the design, operation and control of the composting process applied to a real scale process.

Basic terms in managing of environmental protection against tailing dams

Abstract: The industrial era has left behind several of non-remediated tailing dams and approximately the same amount of abandoned mines worldwide. At the end of the last century, countries and societies became aware of the tailing negative impacts stemming from the uncontrolled disposal of tailings on the environment (such as water, soil and air pollution) which consequently have impact on human health. Thus, theories and practices of protection of environment against tailing dams have been developed rapidly. These can be found in literature under several terms: tailing re-cultivation, tailing rehabilitation, tailing remediation, tailing reclamation, etc. The dilemma as to manage the process of environment protection against tailing dams facility is which of the above terms is the right one regarding extent and amount of activities to be carried out for environmental protection against tailing dams. The conclusions of this study show that the above mentioned terms have different meaning and consequently they should be used according to the designed level and activities involving protection of the environment against tailing dams.

Implementation of graph theory in municipal solid waste management

Abstract: Solid waste management has always been a serious problem for cities throughout the world. Municipal solid waste management is one among the fundamental and essential services provided by municipal authorities in the country to keep urban centres clean. For better urban solid waste management, efficient waste collection and dumping system are required. Graph theory plays an important role in solving different problems where classical mathematics has some limitations. It has many applications and has proven to be an extremely useful tool in analysing various practical problems. In this paper, application of graph theory in municipal solid waste management is depicted. Solid waste management of three municipal areas of West Bengal is considered as test bed cases. The proposed method in this paper have the prospective to find the feasible solution not only in these three municipal areas but also in other transient economies where sustainable waste management practices are yet to meet a critical mass of success and it should be supported at all levels for waste minimisation and its proper utilisation.