Selective Cleanup: MP's uneven firecracker waste management

The gun powder and chemicals emitted from firecrackers and fireworks do not just disappear into the thin air; when it burns and comes in contact with oxygen, it causes a chemical reaction called combustion, and this chemical reaction has two results: first, you get short-lived entertainment, and second, the atmosphere gets toxic pollutants.

This short-lived visual pleasure and entertainment of yours not only contributes to climate change by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter in the air, but the perchlorate emitted from it also contaminates soil and water. Keeping all these adverse effects in mind, arrangements were made to segregate this firecracker waste and dispose of it safely after Diwali this year in Indore and Bhopal cities of Madhya Pradesh. This is definitely a good start, but the scope of this work still needs to be expanded.

Citizens extended hands to clean up cracker waste

In a significant initiative this year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development launched the Swachh and Shubh Diwali campaign, focusing on the principles of Swabhaav Swachhata-Sanskar Swachhata. The campaign aimed to motivate citizens to extend cleanliness efforts beyond their homes to neighbourhoods and public spaces.

Bhopal demonstrated remarkable community participation in this campaign. Following Diwali, residents in over 100 colonies voluntarily collected firecracker waste and delivered it to municipal corporation vehicles. 

Bhopal Municipal Corporation Commissioner Harendra Narayan highlighted the campaign's success, stating,

"This year, Safai Mitras segregated 15 tonnes of firecracker waste, collecting it at the Garbage Transfer Centre and subsequently sending this hazardous waste to Pithampur for scientific disposal."

He emphasised that this was a crucial step toward environmental conservation.

What makes firecracker waste hazardous?

The classification of firecracker waste as hazardous is based on established regulatory guidelines. Waste is considered hazardous when it potentially threatens human health or the environment due to its physical, chemical, reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive, or corrosive characteristics. Fireworks, with their complex chemical composition and explosive properties, fall squarely within this definition, necessitating specialised disposal methods.

Madhya Pradesh has addressed this challenge through dedicated infrastructure. The Common Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) in Pithampur Industrial Area, operational since November 2006, serves as the primary disposal site for the state's hazardous waste. This facility ensures that potentially dangerous materials are handled with the utmost care and environmental responsibility.

Same efforts not seen in smaller municipalities

While Indore has been celebrated for its exceptional waste management, a stark contrast emerges in nearby Sehore city. Despite claims of systematic waste disposal, our investigation revealed a different reality at the local landfill site the day after Diwali.

Santosh, a sanitation worker responsible for collecting city waste, explained the systemic challenges.

"We were not instructed to segregate firecracker waste here," he said. "When people don't even separate wet and dry waste, how can we expect specialised segregation of firecracker waste?" 

An employee working at the solid waste management facility at the Sehore landfill site said,

“After the firecrackers are burnt, only paper remains, so what is the need to separate it?”

Amit Yadav, the solid waste management officer for Sehore Nagar Palika, attempted to counter these observations. He asserted, "We have separated the firecracker waste collected on the road and are preparing to send it to Pithampur." However, his claims were unsubstantiated as he did not provide any supporting data. 

The problem extended beyond Sehore city. In the surrounding municipal bodies of Ashta and Ichchhawar and various Gram panchayats, no efforts were made to handle firecracker waste responsibly. Roadside areas and landfill sites bore witness to the indiscriminate mixing of hazardous firecracker waste with general municipal waste.

The disconnect highlights a critical gap in waste management strategies. Despite progressive initiatives and claims of systematic waste disposal, the ground reality in many smaller municipalities remains far from the ideal. The haphazard disposal of potentially dangerous fireworks waste not only poses environmental risks but also undermines the broader goals of sustainable urban waste management.

Hazards of waste mixup

The hazards of mixing firecracker waste with general municipal waste are profound and multifaceted, according to Dr. Neeraj Verma, Chief Chemist at the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board in Bhopal.

"Even after firecrackers burn, residual gunpowder containing sulphur and heavy metals remains," Dr. Verma explained. "When such waste reaches landfill sites, it can generate leachate—a toxic liquid that seeps into the ground, potentially contaminating groundwater resources."

The environmental risks extend beyond water pollution. Mixing firecracker waste with organic waste compromises the quality of manure (produced with wet waste), rendering them potentially toxic. Moreover, the inherent flammability of firecracker residues poses significant fire hazards in garbage sites, which could generate poisonous smoke and further environmental degradation.

"It is critically important," Dr. Verma emphasised, "that firecracker waste be properly segregated and then disposed of through scientific methods."

The expert's insights underscore the urgent need for specialised waste management protocols, particularly during festive seasons when firecracker usage peaks. Proper segregation and disposal are not merely environmental best practices but essential measures to protect public health and ecological systems.

Effective waste management requires a comprehensive approach that prioritises careful sorting, specialised handling, and scientifically sound disposal mechanisms.

Fireworks in the sky have adverse effects on the ground

In India, the celebration of momentary joy through fireworks extends far beyond Diwali and New Year's Eve. Fireworks have become a ubiquitous spectacle in wedding processions and political victory celebrations. From the infamous 1000-bomb strings marking political triumphs to the 20-shot fireworks that create kaleidoscopic displays during weddings—these pyrotechnic displays offer fleeting visual pleasure at a significant environmental cost.

The environmental impact of these celebrations begins the moment fireworks burst into the sky. These spectacular displays leave behind a toxic legacy that persists long after the colours fade. At the heart of this environmental challenge is perchlorate, a chemical compound that serves as an oxidiser, enabling fireworks upward propulsion and creating their mesmerising patterns.

How does it pollute the soil?

When fireworks explode, they scatter chemical debris across the ground. Perchlorate, a key component, contaminates soil and water systems. This chemical is easily absorbed by vegetation, embedding itself in the natural ecosystem for extended periods. Research conducted in Kerala in 2021 confirmed the widespread soil contamination caused by fireworks.

The environmental degradation extends beyond chemical contamination. Firework particles can fundamentally alter soil nutrients and increase the acidity of surface water, creating cascading effects on local ecosystems. Atmospheric sulphur components, such as sulphur dioxide, can cause direct damage to plant life, impeding the growth of trees and leaves.

One more concern is the impact on aquatic environments. When these chemical residues enter water bodies, they can significantly disrupt fish growth and overall marine ecosystem health. The seemingly momentary celebration leaves a prolonged and profound imprint on the environment.

These findings underscore the need for a more environmentally conscious approach to celebrations, challenging the current cultural norm of using fireworks as a symbol of joy and festivity.

Conclusion

The environmental toll of firecrackers extends far beyond momentary spectacle. We must urgently transform societal awareness, helping people understand that their fleeting moments of celebration inflict long-lasting damage on our fragile ecosystems.

Administrative units bear a critical responsibility in implementing rigorous waste management protocols and scientific disposal mechanisms. As climate change presents increasingly complex challenges, mitigating human activities that harm nature becomes paramount. By making informed choices and prioritising environmental preservation, we can collectively reduce our ecological footprint and strengthen our resilience against global environmental threats.

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