Page 68 - Clean India Journal Magazine June 2019 Issue

WASTE SOLUTIONS

convert MSW to biofuels. If
there is a policy framework
with appropriate budgetary
support to convert municipal
and agrarian waste into fuel,
India can easily meet its biofuel
blending targets. Accordingly,
the Budget should incentivise
investment in ‘waste to biofuel’
plants. A clear timeline should
be set for the introduction
of GST in petroleum sector
so that taxation of bio-fuel
may be integrated with the
taxation of petrol/diesel and
bring in greater efficiencies
in manufacturing, storing and
transportation of bio-fuel.

What are biofuels?

Biofuel is a renewable source that has been compressed and or used in place of their non-
of energy derived from biomass: transmuted to a source of energy renewable equivalents.
agricultural, commercial, domestic, over millions of years; biofuel First-generation biofuels include
and/or industrial wastes (if the consists of the same biomass, bioethanol and biodiesel, second-
waste has a biological origin). which is converted to a readily generation biofuels include that
usable form of energy by a waste-
Conventional/non-renewable to-energy plant. Bioethanol, biogas produced from municipal solid
source of energy such as coal and and biodiesel are the three main waste, while third-generation
natural gas are essential biomass biofuels, and can be blended with, biofuels include bio-CNG.

Why biofuels?

• They are produced from biodiesel extends the life hubs like Punjab, Haryana
biodegradable matter and are of catalytic converters in and Uttar Pradesh around
themselves biodegradable, engines, and the lubricating Delhi, will help prevent crop
nontoxic and produce fewer property of the biodiesel residue burning and reduce
pollutants when burnt may lengthen the lifetime of the air pollution which
completely. engines. blankets the city every year.
• Biofuels can be used in their • They drastically cut down • Since this agricultural waste
pure form, as well as when on carbon emissions, and are is purchased from farmers, it
blended with petrol or diesel. environment-friendly. One will increase farmer income
litre of bio-ethanol saves
at no extra cost to farmers.
• They can also be distributed around 20,000 tonnes of • Biofuels will bring down
through existing fuel pumps. carbon dioxide emissions. India’s oil import bill as they
New infrastructure does not • Biofuels can consume can easily be blended with
need to be set up. agricultural waste; setting up petroleum products and used
• The lack of sulphur in 100% bio-fuel plants in the agrarian seamlessly.
CIJ

68 Clean India Journal www.cleanindiajournal.com
June 2019