Dumpsite Fires

Subject: Environment

Section: Pollution

Context- Third dumpsite fire in a month points to systemic failure of waste management in Delhi.

Concept-

The fire that broke out at North Delhi’s Bhalswa dumpsite April 26, 2022 is the third landfill fire in a month and has been raging for over 72 hours.
The previous two blazes were reported at Ghazipur dumpsite in East Delhi. Delhi’s environment minister called an urgent meeting with the waste sector experts to discuss various solutions to tackle fire.

Causes of Dumpsite Fire:

Natural fires are very common at dumpsites.
Dumpsites not scientifically Planned without adequate segregation of waste.
These landfills receive mixed waste, including organic waste as well as ignitable material and plastics.
The biodegradable or food waste decomposes over time.
- The anaerobic decomposition (breakdown of organic waste in the absence of oxygen) of organic waste generates methane gas and heat.
Methane is present in air only in traces. But at dumpsites, methane can range between 3.5% and 13%. If there is anything combustible at the dumpsite, it can catch fire quickly.

What can be done?

To avoid these fire outbreaks in the future, the city authorities must prepare a city waste management plan.
Source segregation non-negotiable: Treating ‘mixed waste’ is challenging.
No biodegradable organic waste in dumpsites: Biodegradable waste should not be dumped at landfills because the biodegradation process is responsible for generation of methane that contributes significantly in dumpsite fires.
- Converting organic waste into bio-compressed natural gas (CNG) also can be a game-changer.
Dry waste recycling: The segregated dry waste can be processed in decentralised material recovery facilities.
Adopt a zero-landfill model: This model is based on resource recovery and principles of circular economy.
- It identifies a “zero-landfill city” as one that ensures maximum quantities of waste are subjected to scientific treatment and recycling, thus reducing the amount of residual solid waste and minimising the need to construct new landfills. The objective is to achieve 100 per cent waste treatment.
Biomining of dumpsites must: Legacy waste treatment and fresh waste treatment should be planned parallelly.
Thick Soil Cover: At sanitary landfills, waste should be compacted and a thick soil cover should be placed over it. Soil acts as a fire suppressant and restricts the passage of oxygen that is required for combustion.