Impact of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill on Surrounding Environment: A Case Study

Abstract

Municipal solid waste in India is largely managed by disposal in landfill site due to its favorable economics. In this paper, the impact of municipal solid waste management and its disposal at Ghazipur landfill site which is approximately 72 acres is presented. The site on an average receives about 2000 tonne per day of MSW from North and South Shahdara, Delhi. The Ghazipur site is already matured and receives MSW over its full capability. The impact of Ghazipur landfill site on the surrounding environment was studied, and analysis of noise, air, soil, and groundwater pollution was conducted including a socio-economic impact survey. A comparative analysis of the above factors was done with the Boragaon waste dumping site in Guwahati. It was observed that the impact of this MSW on these sites to be negative on the surrounding environment which influences the nearby area greater than 10 km in diameter. Both the sites adversely affect the residents of the surrounding area and in near future with the increase of quantity of MSW, it would further result to a serious environmental hazard.