SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN BIKANER CITY, RAJASTHAN (INDIA)

Waste as one of the major environmental issues in the current world can be seen scattered ubiquitously. There is a dire need to properly manage the waste due to the negative effects on public and environmental health. The present study aims to do analysis of the solid waste management practices in Bikaner municipal area (Rajasthan). Solid waste samples were collected from 10 selected locations of the study area. Physical composition and physicochemical parameters of solid waste were determined. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, moisture content and organic matter of solid waste were analyzed by using the standard methods. Organic matter made the highest content (27% to 76%) in the composition of all solid wastes. However, glass, metal and wood comprised the lowest content (1%). The pH range of samples was 5.1 to 7.5. Water holding capacity (%) was below 100 in all the samples though organic carbon ranged from 15.4 % to 19.6 %. Goga gate dumping site showed the highest solid waste content. It was found that waste management practices in Bikaner municipal area are not sustainable yet due to improper waste collection, waste dumping and lack of awareness among people. Solid waste need to be segregated at the source and segregation of recyclable waste should also be done for effective waste management. The organic fractions of solid waste could be utilized in composting.