Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Editor
On April 14, 2017, the Meethotamulla garbage dump in Sri Lanka collapsed, killing 30 people and leaving many more homeless. The disaster exposed a grim reality: the country's inadequate waste management systems have not only created an environmental crisis but also endangered human lives. When natural disasters create landslides, that is sad; but a garbage dump-created landslide is a national shame. Sri Lanka, with all her scenic and beautiful mountain ranges, should never have to see such unnecessary tragedies. This is a case of systemic failure in waste management and urban planning, where waste dumps like Meethotamulla and Karadiyana in Piliyandala have become symbolic of a lack of vision and foresight among policymakers.
Waste Management: A Global Perspective
Many countries, unlike Sri Lanka, have transformed waste into a resource. Switzerland, for example, does not have landfills; 53% of the waste is recycled. Germany recycles 65%. These countries employ scientific and technological ingenuity to convert waste into valuable resources.
Sri Lanka is no exception, and she too can follow these steps. A revolutionary plan presented by Farhills Ceylon and backed by the *World Innovation Fund*, is likely to bring a whole change in the face of waste management in the country. The three major components on which the proposal will be focusing are:
1. Pyrolysis of Plastics
2. Re-refining Waste Oil
3. Black Carbon Application
Plastic Pyrolysis: Waste-to-Fuel
Plastic is an organic compound, known to be highly difficult to decompose without affecting the environment negatively. Well, a method named *pyrolysis* degrades the plastic waste, heating it in a zero-oxygen environment to a lesser complicated molecule. There are three by-products that this gives: fuel, black carbon, and gas.
Fuel Production : The liquid compounds produced during pyrolysis can be further refined to generate diesel fuel for industrial use. This process not only reduces environmental harm but also creates economic opportunities.
Carbon Black : A key by-product, carbon black is widely used in the manufacturing of tires, paints, and pigments. This ensures that waste plastic is repurposed rather than discarded.
Waste Oil Refining: A Solution to Oil Pollution
Engine oil is normally discharged after use and has now become a serious environmental hazard. The novelty in the proposal is the refining of waste oil by mechanical filtration, heating, and chemical treatments. It enables waste oil to be put to reuse, thus reducing pollution and helping attain industrial sustainability. Â
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Carbon Briquettes: A Cleaner Alternative to Fossil Fuels
The other striking feature of the proposal is the manufacture of carbon briquettes from carbon black. These are used as an environmental substitute for conventional fossil fuel to reduce damage to the environment and also for economic gain.
Turning Waste into a Resource
This proposal changes the perception of waste from being a liability to an asset. It is through the embracing of such novel practices that Sri Lanka can reduce environmental hazards, cut economic costs, and enhance public health.
A Vision for the Future
Farhills Ceylon, together with its researchers headed by Suranga N. Pathirana and Dilip Sirisena is pioneering in this aspect. They intend to collaborate on an international level with bodies such as Alberta Innovations in Canada to initiate this implementation globally.
Benefits accruing from this proposal transcend the mere waste management issues at a local level. It addresses global challenges such as carbon emissions, plastic pollution, and global warming. More importantly, it offers a roadmap to prevent disasters like the Meethotamulla tragedy, creating a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for all.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The Meethotamulla tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for Sri Lanka. With innovative waste management practices, the country can turn its garbage problem into an opportunity for economic growth and environmental conservation. Investments in scientific solutions, such as those proposed by Farhills Ceylon, are not an option but a must to ensure a healthier planet and a better future for the generations to come.
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