ENS 510 – SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (1+1)TANNERY & FOOD

PROCESSING WASTE MANAGEMENT

BY: SATHEESH, 2024531016

SUNDARESHWARI, 2024531017

SWATHI, 2024531018

TANNING

The process by collagen fibers in a skin reacts with chemical agents such as Tannin, alum
or other chemicals.

Hides and skin absorbs tannic acid and other chemical substances which prevent them
from decaying and make them damp resistant to wet and keep them durable.

WASTE GENERATION STEPWISE:

Fleshing (56%-60%)

Chrome shaving, chrome splits , buffing dust (35%-40%)

Skin trimming (5%-7%)

Hair (2%-5%)

Leather recovery is only 16 % (150 out of 1000 Kg)

35 m3 waste water / ton of waste.

CONSTITUENTS OF TANNERY EFFLUENT

Solids:

Suspended solids: Insoluble matter

Settleable solids: settles down

Gross solid: Large like leather pieces

BOD

Nitrogen: Proteinaceous material from liming and unhairing

Sulphides: From sodium sulphide, sodium hydrosulphide used in unhairing.

Neutral salts: Sulphates & Chlorides

Oil & grease: released from within the skin.

Chromium compounds: Cr 3+, Cr 6+

COMMON EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT

PRELIMINERY TREATMENT:

Screening

Grit removal

Oil & grease removal

PRIMARY TREATMENT:

Equalization: The process of balancing the flow and quality of wastewater before it enters
the treatment system. It helps ensure consistent treatment efficiency.

Neutralization: The process of adjusting the pH of acidic or alkaline wastewater to a

neutral level (typically around pH 7) before discharge or further treatment. Chemicals
used- H2SO4, HCl, NaOH, lime etc. Tannery effluent is slightly alkaline.

Sedimentation: Process in wastewater treatment where suspended solids settle down by

gravity in a sedimentation tank or clarifier.

SECONDARY / BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT

1) Activated sludge: Biological oxidation of organic pollutants using micro-organisms in

presence of air to form sludge.

Trickling filter process: A bed of gravel, sand or plastic is made on which microbial
slimy layer is present. The microbes adsorb on organic pollutants and oxidises them. The
air flow maintained by natural convection & bottom layer is anaerobic

Anaerobic contact reactor:

Wastewater enters the reactor.

2. Microbes digest organic matter anaerobically.

3. Treated water exits, and sludge is partially recycled.

4. Biogas is collected

Up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket:

Wastewater flows upwards through a dense blanket of anaerobic sludge (microbes) that
digests organic pollutants.

Wastewater enters from the bottom.

2. Flows upward through sludge blanket.

3. Microbes digest organics → produce gas.

4. Gas helps mix the sludge and separates treated water.

Fixed bed reactors:

Microorganisms grow on a stationary (fixed) medium like plastic, stone, or gravel.

Wastewater enters the reactor.

2. Passes through the packed bed with media.

3. Microorganisms attached to media consume pollutants.

4. Treated water exits the system.

Tertiary treatment:

Sand filters

Carbon filters

Micro filters

Ultra filters

Retention ponds

Nao filters

Reverse osmosis

Treatment of synthetic organics:

Paints, pharmaceuticals etc.

Oxidation

Distillation

Adsorption
Vitrification

Incineration

Chemical immobilisation

Landfill disposal.

Treatment of acid or alkali: Done by the process of neutralization

Treatment of grease & oil: By skimming devices.

Treatment of chrome: pH 3 converted to 6-7 by adding MgO. The chrome is then settled
at bottom & the clean water supernatant is pumped out, chromes sludge is removed.

Economical & efficient treatment

CASE STUDIES

Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India:

Vellore, a major leather production hub in India, has experienced significant groundwater
contamination due to tannery operations.

Studies indicate that over 50% of groundwater samples exceeded permissible chromium
levels, primarily attributed to tannery effluent discharge.

The region's groundwater, predominantly of the Na⁺-Cl⁻ type, reflects the mixing of
tannery effluents and natural processes.

Efforts have been made to improve effluent treatment and implement rainwater recharge
structures to mitigate pollution.

2. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India:

Kanpur, known as the "Leather City," houses over 400 registered tanneries, many of
which discharge untreated waste into the Ganges River.

This has led to severe water pollution, affecting both the river ecosystem and local
communities.

Despite initiatives like the Namami Gange project aiming to clean the river, challenges
persist due to inadequate infrastructure and enforcement.

3. Kasur City, Punjab, Pakistan:

Kasur, a significant leather processing center in Pakistan, faces critical groundwater

contamination issues.
Studies have shown elevated levels of chromium and other pollutants in groundwater,
posing health risks to residents.

The Kasur Tanneries Waste Treatment Plant (KTWTP) was established to address this,
but operational inefficiencies have limited its effectiveness.

4. Ambur, Tamil Nadu, India:

In Ambur, extensive tannery activities have led to the deterioration of groundwater

quality.

Research indicates high concentrations of sodium, chloride, and chromium in water

samples, exceeding safe limits.

The contamination is primarily due to the discharge of untreated tannery effluents,

necessitating improved waste management practices.

FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The Food Industry is a complex, global collective of diverse businesses that supplies
most of the food consumed by the world population.

Food industry produces large volumes of wastes, both solids and liquid, resulting from
the production, preparation and consumption of food.

These waste causes environmental pollution.

Food processing industry: Fruit processing, beverage industry, jam, pickle, packed foods
etc.

Food processing wastes have a potential for conversion into useful products of higher
value as by product, or even as raw material for other industries, or for use as food or
feed after biological treatment.

The food processing industry is one of the largest industries in India and ranks fifth in
terms of production, consumption and exports.

It constitutes 14 % to India’s GDP.

India's exports of processed food and related products (inclusive of animal products)
grew at a CAGR of 11.74 per cent, reaching US$ 16.2 billion.

Sectors include: Dairy, grain, fruits, vegetables, meat & poultry etc.

India: Britannia, ITC, Nestle, Parle Agro, Dabur, Amul etc.

SOURCE OF WASTE
Fruits & vegetable processing

Dairy industry

Meat & poultry

Beverage production

Cereal & bakery processing

TYPES OF WASTE

Organic waste (peels, seeds, pulp)

Wastewater (containing fats, proteins, starch)

Packaging waste (plastic, glass, metal)

Chemical waste (cleaners, preservatives)

IMPACT OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF WASTE

Environmental pollution (air, water, soil)

Public health risks (Diarrhea in Odukpani and Akamkpadue to poor waste management)

Loss of reusable resources (many of the by products of industry can be used as raw
material for other industry like grain husk can be used as bedding material for poultry)

WASTE MANAGEMENT HEIRARCHY

WASTE MANAGEMENT METHODS

VALUE ADDITION FROM WASTE

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

Environment Protection Act, 1986- Umbrella law under which various waste
management rules are notified. Empowers Central and State Pollution Control Boards to
regulate industrial waste.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974- Mandates industries to treat
effluents before discharge. Requires consent from SPCB (State Pollution Control Board)
to establish and operate.

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016- Applies to food industries generating solid
waste.- Emphasis on segregation, composting, and recycling.
4. The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), 2006- Ensures food safety, including safe
disposal of expired/contaminated food. Mandates hygienic waste handling in food
processing units.

5. Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016- Covers disposal of chemical, oil, and
cleaning agent residues from processing units.- Requires proper storage, labeling, and
disposal.

6. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Guidelines- Sector-specific effluent discharge

standards. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) promoted in water-scarce areas.

CASE STUDIES

Amul Dairy, Gujarat (India)Industry: Dairy

Challenge: Large volumes of wastewater with high BOD/COD levels

Solution:

Installed Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) with anaerobic digester

Generated biogas used for heating and power

Impact:

Reduced water pollution

Lowered energy costs by 30%

2. Parle Agro (India)Industry: Beverage manufacturing

Challenge: Fruit pulp and sugary wastewater

Solution: Adopted zero liquid discharge (ZLD) - Reused treated water for non-potable
applications

Impact: 90% reduction in freshwater use.

Compliance with CPCB norms

3. Nestlé India (Moga Plant, Punjab)Industry: Food and dairy

Challenge: High organic waste from milk processing

Solution:

Implemented composting and anaerobic treatment

Used waste heat recovery system

Impact:

Achieved 100% waste-to-resource model

Used compost in local farming

4. PepsiCo, USA Industry: Potato chips

Challenge: Solid peels, starch-rich wastewater

Solution:

Used peel waste for cattle feed

Anaerobic digesters to produce biogas

Impact:

Reduced GHG emissions

Lowered waste disposal cost

5. ITC Foods Division (India)Industry: Packaged foods

Challenge: Packaging and organic waste

Solution:

Source segregation and waste audits

Recyclable packaging initiatives

Impact:

Over 90% waste diverted from landfills

REFERENCES

Kavitha, P.R. et. al.(2015). Tannery process and its environmental impacts a case study:
Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Vol;[Link]-764.

Amitrajeet A. et. al.(2023).Tanneries in Kanpur and pollution in the Ganges: A

theoretical analysis. Regional Science Policy & Practice. Vol 15, Pg 1114-1124.

Nestle. Waste Not, Want Not: Nestlé 's Endeavors to Reduce Food Loss and Waste.
Parle Agro.(2005). Parle Agro’s Responsible Waste Recycling Activity. Clean India
Journal. Parle Agro’s responsible waste recycling activity - Clean India Journal.

THANK YOU