|
Background
The share of Andhra Pradesh in edible oil production is significantly high in the country. The state has big conglomeration of edible oil industries of large, medium, and small scale and produce edible refined oil from a wide range of raw materials such as sunflower, groundnut, palm oil, rice bran, and cotton seed. The edible oil manufacturing units are mostly concentrated in the Districts of Kurnool, Anantapur, Rangareddy, Mahbubnagar, Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari, and East Godavari. The edible oil industry, particularly, the refined oil and vanaspati manufacturing units generate large quantities of waste in the form of waste water, solid waste, and gaseous pollutants. In large majority of these units, there are no appropriate environmental management systems to minimize waste generation. This has resulted in wastage of valuable resources- raw materials, water, energy, and other chemicals besides polluting the environment significantly. On the other hand, these units are facing immense pressure from the local Pollution Control Boards to comply with the environmental regulations or close down the operations. Waste Minimization (WM) approach can effectively tackle these problems and can help the edible oil industry in a significant way by reducing generation of all forms of pollution therefore comply with the environmental norms and also facilitate efficient use of resources such as raw materials, water, and energy and therefore contribute to improved profitability of the manufacturing units.
Considering the various environmental challenges associated with the edible oil industry and the promising scope for improvements through waste minimization approach, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEf), Government of India commissioned a project to Winrock International India (WII) to conduct waste minimization study, identify / prioritize, recommend WM measures for edible oil sector in Andhra Pradesh, and also train the industry personnel on applying waste minimization principals on a sustainable basis.
Objective
The objectives of the project were: - To promote the adoption of waste minimization measures to tackle environmental pollution in edible oil units and promote more resource-efficient processes and operations, particularly, water pollution and solid waste, thereby positively influencing the local and global climate change
- To enhance the performance and competitiveness of small & medium-scale edible oil units in Andhra Pradesh by raising environmental awareness
- To build the capacity of units to adopt waste minimization approach on a sustainable basis
- -To develop and promote environmental actions those are instrumental in alleviating poverty, improving health, and safety conditions.
Activities
The specific tasks implemented under the project are as follows:- Conducted waste minimization study in three representative cotton seed based edible oil refineries in Gunture and Prakasam Districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Identified waste minimization measures, conducted techno economic feasibility and environmental impacts for the identified measures, prioritized the WM measures and recommended the final waste minimization measures for implementation in the respective units
- Prepared detailed waste minimization study reports for three representative units and held consultations with the industry and finalized the schemes for implementation
- Demonstrated select no-cost/ low-cost WM measures in the industries where waste minimization studies were conducted
- Conducted a project review committee (PRC) meeting at Hyderabad to review and finalize the WM recommendations. PRC was chaired by Ex-Head of Environment Division of IICT and attended by experts from APPCB, JNTU, Consulting companies, and WM experts
- Conducted training and dissemination workshop at Guntur on waste minimization opportunities and benefits for edible oil industry personnel.
- Prepared a reference booklet highlighting the findings of the study and WM schemes for cotton seed based edible oil industries. The copies of the booklets were distributed to MoEF, APPCB, industry, experts, and consultants
Achievements
The study was conducted for the first time in India for cotton seed based edible oil industry of MSME scale.
The project was successful in identifying and prioritizing a range of techno-economically viable waste minimization measures for the industry and these measures were categorized as under:- Better housekeeping and change of operating practices
- Change of raw materials
- Better process control
- Retrofitting measures in the existing systems
- Change of technology
- Identify measures/ areas/ systems for reuse, recover and recycle
- Prepare techno-economic analysis for the identified measures and the environmental impacts
- Prioritize of the measures based on overall assessment of the measures
The project was successful in creating awareness among the edible industry on environmental issues, scope, opportunities, and benefits of implementing waste minimization schemes.
The study identified a range of technically viable and economically viable schemes for cotton seed refinery industry that could save the material and energy costs by 20 to 25%, if implemented. The schemes were categorized into short- term, medium term, and long term measures.
The final workshop conducted helped in training and capacity building of edible industry personnel on applying waste minimization on a sustainable basis in the industries.
The project produced a guidebook on waste minimization in cotton seed oil refineries, which is first-of-its kind effort. The guidebook copies were distributed to the industry personnel widely.
The project facilitated linkages between key stakeholders such as edible oil industry, technology suppliers, and bankers, and experts. This would go a long way in sustaining the efforts beyond the project. |
