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Application of Green Technology in Management of Industrial Wastes

 
5.6  Application of Green Technology in Industrial Waste Management
 
Development of Green Technology
  • The introduction of National Green Technology Policy in 2009 has paved a way for a wider utilisation of Green Technology in various sectors in Malaysia. 
  • Community awareness towards environmental pollution and climate change has:
    • Sped up the efforts in producing and utilising Green Technology while sustainably managing resources.
  • Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Centre, which is also known as GreenTech Malaysia:
    • Is a government agency responsible for initiating various programmes and incentives to encourage the adoption of Green Technology in various economic sectors in Malaysia.
  • The usage of Green Technology is not solely limited to the industrial sector but it is very broad across various aspects of life.
  • In applications involving manufacturing of products or services, the use of technology with environmentally friendly approachesis adoptedstartingfromtheutilisation and management of resources to waste management.
 
Definition of Green Technology
Technology or application developed to minimise the negative effects of harmful human activities.
 
Green Technology Sectors in Malaysia
Sector Examples of Application
Energy supply

Renewable energy such as;

  • Solar
  • Hydro
  • Geothermal
  • wWind
Transportation
  • Vehicles using alternative fuels.
Buildings
  • Use of environmentally friendly building materials and energy saving buildings.
Waste and Wastewater Management
  • Recycling and Landfill Leachate Treatment Method.
Agriculture and Forestry
  • Use of compost and forest preservation.
Industry
  • Use of energy efficient tools and technology.
 
The image is a graphic titled ‘Green Technology Approaches in Waste and Wastewater Management.’ It features three numbered sections: 1. Waste disposal 2. Disposal site management 3. Wastewater treatment Each section is highlighted with a red border and light blue background. The logo of ‘Pandai’ is present on the left side of the title.
 
Waste Mangement
  • Rapid developments and growth in population have contributed to large quantities of generated solid waste or rubbish.
  • If not properly managed, the quality of life and public health will be affected.
  • Waste management does not only involve local authorities, but all communities also need to play a role in ensuring the effectiveness of waste management, especially solid wastes.
  • Leachate is contaminated liquid produced from water leached from solid waste.
 
Green Technology in Various Stages of Waste Management

This image illustrates the process of waste management. It begins with solid waste collection, where waste is gathered and transported by trucks to a waste sorting center. Here, waste is segregated into different categories. Organic solid waste is sent for composting. Non-recyclable waste is directed towards incineration, while recyclable materials are processed for recycling. The landfill is used for waste that cannot be otherwise processed, with leachate treatment facilities handling any liquid runoff. Methane gas recovery systems are in place to capture and utilize methane produced in the landfill.
 
Wastewater Management
  • Wastewater is a liquid waste that consists of human waste, food waste, oil and chemicals.
  • Wastewater can be divided into;
    • Domestic wastewater
    • Stormwater runoff
    • Industrial wastewater.
  • Compared to domestic wastewater and stormwater runoff, industrial wastewater may contain;
    • Acrylonitrile
    • Methylbenzene
    • Toluene
    • Heavy metals, such as arsenic, mercury and lead.
  • These hazardous chemicals are difficult to decompose biologically and require more systematic treatments so that they will not pollute the environment nor affect human health.
  • Landfill Leachate Treatment Method by using the electrolysis principle, which is also known as electrocoagulation process, is a Green Technology approach that can be used to treat wastewater, including industrial wastewater.
  • Carbon or copper electrodes are used while wastewater is the electrolyte in the electrocoagulation process.
  • Pollutants will form flocs and can be isolated from water and then removed as sludge.
  • After proper treatment, sludge can be used as fertilisers for the agricultural sector or disposed of by appropriate methods depending on the composition of the materials contained in sludge.
  • Wastewater that has been treated can be reused for crop irrigation, or discharged as effluent.
 
Wastewater Treatment Process

This image illustrates the wastewater treatment process. 1. Wastewater is pumped in. 2. Screening of solid waste occurs. 3. Electrocoagulation process is applied. 4. Solid and wastewater settling process takes place. 5. Collection of sludge happens. 6. Further treatment of wastewater is conducted. 7. Discharge of effluent to the water source is the final step.
 
The image is an infographic titled ‘IMPORTANCE OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY.’ It features a central icon of a light bulb with a check mark inside it, symbolizing green technology. Around the light bulb, there are five points connected by arrows in a circular flow: 1. A cleaner source of energy 2. More effective waste management 3. Quality of life increases 4. Driving new innovations 5. Mitigating global warming The Pandai logo is located in the top left corner of the image. The overall design uses shades of blue and green.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of Pandai.
Chapter : Consumers and Industrial Chemistry
Topic : Application of Green Technology in Management of Industrial Wastes
Form 5 Chemistry
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