Re- Sustainability (ReSL), an environmental management services provider in Asia, partnered with the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on Friday hosted a seminar on hazardous waste management challenges and opportunities to commemorate World Earth Day, which falls on April 22.
The seminar took place at Engineering Staff College of India, where experts and stakeholders from across the country discussed the pressing issue of hazardous waste management and shared their insights and experiences on the latest advancements in waste management practices, including hazardous waste management, resource recovery, circular economy initiatives, and more.
Goutham Reddy, MD at ReSL, said, ” Evolution of hazardous waste management has been a long and challenging journey, and the US played a significant role in shaping it through the Resource Conservation Recovery Act of 1976. India recognised hazardous waste management early on, but progress was slow due to the lack of infrastructure and regulation. However, debates and discussions started happening in the late 90s, and one of the crucial debates was about the materials to be used in disposal facilities. The definition of hazardous waste has always been a matter of debate worldwide, starting from the very definition of waste itself. We must work together to find innovative solutions that are sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible.”
The seminar was aligned to the theme of the World Earth Day, “Invest in Our Planet,” emphasising the critical role that hazardous waste management plays in environmental protection. It consisted of three technical and information-intensive sessions, which are Current practices in hazardous waste management, Circular economy opportunities in hazardous waste management, and New developments in hazardous waste management- towards sustainable growth.
Another significant issue addressed was the prevention of groundwater contamination through sustainable treatment and aquifer remediation. The role of technology in remediation, such as soil retorting and mercury-contaminated site treatment, was also highlighted. The event culminated in an engaging Q&A session which covered mapping unregulated waste, the cost of remediation, and the quantum of waste generation, acknowledging that while it is not possible to regulate the entire waste, efforts must be made to reduce waste and ensure proper treatment.
