• Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched India’s first indigenous automated biomedical waste treatment plant at AIIMS New Delhi.

• The automated biomedical waste treatment rig, named ‘Srjanam’, was developed by CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology).

• This innovative, environmentally friendly technology offers a significant advancement in the sustainable management of biomedical waste.

What is the significance of this method?

• A report shows that India generates 743 tonnes of biomedical waste daily, presenting a significant challenge in its safe and proper disposal. 

• Improper segregation, open dumping, open burning, and inadequate incineration of biomedical waste lead to severe health hazards, including the release of carcinogens and particulate matter.

• Incineration is a costly, energy-intensive strategy that forces the stakeholders to adopt simpler and cheaper, but sometimes illegal means, to dispose of biomedical waste.

• Increased biomedical waste generation demands more transportation facilities, increasing the risk of accidents and spills. The WHO has also emphasised the importance of innovative and alternative protocols for pathogenic biomedical waste disposal.

• The new technology addresses this issue and presents an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional incineration methods.

• The ‘Srjanam’ rig can disinfect pathogenic biomedical waste such as blood, urine, sputum, and laboratory disposables, without the use of costly and energy-intensive incinerators. 

• Additionally, the rig imparts a pleasant fragrance to the otherwise foul-smelling toxic waste. 

• With a daily capacity of 400 kg, the equipment is capable of handling 10 kg of degradable medical waste per day in the initial phase. 

• Once validated, this technology will be ready for full-scale implementation after receiving approval from relevant authorities.

• With the growing demand for better waste disposal solutions, the ‘Sṛjanam’ rig offers a safer and more efficient approach, eliminating the risks associated with human exposure to harmful waste and minimising the chances of spills and accidents.

• The technology has been third-party validated for its antimicrobial action, and studies have shown that the treated material is safer than organic fertilizers like vermicompost.

• The CSIR-NIIST technology can also disinfect laboratory disposables for direct recycling. Soil studies have confirmed that the treated biomedical waste is superior to organic fertilizers like vermicompost.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)