doi: 10.3850/S1793924012001538

Studies on Accumulation of NBDSW in Mithi River of Mumbai

P. U. Singare Department of Chemistry, Bhavan’s College, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400058, India. pravinsingare@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

In this paper, an attempt has been made to quantify three major Non-Biodegradable Solid Wastes (NBDSW) viz. plastics, synthetic rubber and glass in the Mithi river of Mumbai. The results of present investigation indicates that in initial collection, contribution due to plastic materials varies from minimum 34.3% to maximum 62.7%, synthetic rubber materials between 35.0% and 59.5%, while glass materials between 2.2% to 6.2%. Similarly in final collection, contribution of plastic materials was minimum 23.4% and maximum 34.7%, that of synthetic rubber was between 62.0% and 70.1%, while glass contributes to minimum 3.5% and maximum 6.9%. These NBDSW materials where one of the major factor for water logging along Mithi river causing havoc among the urban people in general, and the poor, in particular, especially those living in sub-standard housing in the most vulnerable locations along the Mithi river during 26 July, 2005 deluge in Mumbai. The accumulation of most of NBDSW materials can be controlled by clearing them at the point source itself, by relocating the small scale processing unit, controlling the encroachment by hutments along the River, by recycling and incineration.

Keywords: NBDSW, Solid wastes, Plastics, Synthetic rubber, Glass, Mithi river, MPCB, Mumbai, India.

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