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WET WASTE TRANSPORT CASE STUDY
How a Municipal Waste Facility Achieved 95% Odour Control During Wet Waste Transport
Industry: Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSW Logistics & Urban Sanitation)
Location: Goa, India | Fleet Scale: 5 Trucks (9 Tonnes/trip, 100–135 Tonnes/day)
Primary Solution: OdoServe SprayGel Technology & OdoServe odour Control
90–95%
Odor Neutralisation Efficiency
2.5 Hours
Active Transit Odor Protection
25 km
Public Transit Corridor Protection
A municipal waste transportation facility in Goa, India, experienced persistent odour emissions during the transport of wet biodegradable waste, despite routine truck washing and sanitation. Amalgam Biotech implemented a customised odour control programme using OdoServe SprayGel on loaded waste and OdoServe Odour Control at the truck washing station. Following site-specific optimisation, the solution achieved 90 to 95% odour reduction and provided up to 2.5 hours of odour suppression, covering the majority of transportation cycles while improving vehicle hygiene and reducing off-site odour nuisance.
Background & Technical Challenge
Plant Overview
A municipal waste transportation facility in Goa, India, operated by one of India's leading integrated facility management and environmental services companies, manages the collection and transportation of predominantly wet biodegradable municipal solid waste from multiple urban locations. The operation serves an approximately 20 km collection radius using a fleet of five transportation vehicles, each carrying around 9 tonnes of waste per trip and completing 2 to 3 trips per day. Typical transportation time ranges from 30 to 50 minutes per trip.
Waste is loaded using mechanical loaders and JCB equipment before being transported to a central processing facility. Although the operation followed a structured vehicle hygiene programme, including truck washing after every trip, periodic deep cleaning after every 2 to 3 transportation cycles, and a dedicated truck washing station, persistent odour emissions remained a significant operational challenge during transportation and after vehicle cleaning. To address these issues, the facility evaluated a customised odour control programme using OdoServe SprayGel during waste loading and OdoServe Odour Control at the truck washing station.
The Technical Challenge & Risk
Large-Scale Waste Transportation: The facility operated a fleet of five waste transport vehicles, each carrying approximately 9 tonnes of wet biodegradable waste per trip across a 20 km operational radius, creating continuous odour management challenges throughout daily operations.
Odour Emissions During Transit: Decomposing wet municipal waste generated objectionable odours during transportation, with emissions dispersing along transportation corridors extending up to 25 km, affecting nearby communities and road users.
Absorbed Vehicle Residue: Liquid leachate and organic foulants penetrated the metal surfaces and crevices of garbage truck bodies, creating persistent absorbed odours that routine washing with water and conventional cleaning chemicals could not eliminate.
Worker Exposure: Drivers and waste handling personnel were continuously exposed to unpleasant odours throughout loading, transportation and unloading operations, reducing workplace comfort and hygiene.
Limited Performance of Conventional Treatments: Routine cleaning chemicals and fragrance-based products provided only temporary odour masking and failed to deliver sustained odour control during waste transportation.
Municipal Waste Site Assessment
Before implementing the odour control programme, Amalgam Biotech conducted a detailed site assessment to evaluate municipal waste loading operations, transportation routes, truck hygiene practices and major odour emission sources. The assessment helped identify the optimum application points for OdoServe SprayGel during waste loading and OdoServe Odour Control at the truck washing station to achieve effective odour control throughout the transportation cycle.
Assessment Highlights
Waste Handling Assessment: Evaluated wet biodegradable waste loading using JCB equipment and identified key odour generation points during collection and transportation.
Transportation Assessment: Reviewed the operation of five transport vehicles carrying approximately 9 tonnes of waste per trip, travelling within a 20 km operational radius over 30 to 50 minute transport cycles.
Vehicle Hygiene Assessment: Examined routine truck washing, periodic deep cleaning practices and residual odour build-up inside vehicle bodies after unloading.
Application Strategy: Determined the optimum SprayGel coverage during waste loading and the application of OdoServe Odour Control at the wash bay to maximise odour suppression throughout transit.
OdoServe Odour Control Strategy
Why OdoServe™ SprayGel & OdoServe™ Odour Control Were Selected
To control persistent odours generated during municipal wet waste transportation, Amalgam Biotech implemented a customised odour control programme using OdoServe SprayGel during waste loading and OdoServe Odour Control at the truck washing station. The solution was selected to suppress odour emissions throughout the transportation cycle while eliminating residual odours that remained after routine vehicle cleaning.
Unlike conventional cleaning chemicals and fragrance-based products that only provided temporary masking, the customised OdoServe programme was optimised according to the site's waste characteristics, transportation duration and operating conditions. Following formulation and application optimisation, the solution achieved 90 to 95% odour reduction while providing up to 2.5 hours of odour suppression, covering the majority of transportation cycles.
Key Benefits
Achieved 90 to 95% odour reduction after site-specific optimisation
Provided up to 2.5 hours of odour suppression during waste transport
Reduced odour emissions along transportation routes
Eliminated residual odours remaining after routine truck washing
Improved working conditions for drivers and waste handling personnel
Integrated easily into existing municipal waste transportation operations
Scalable for larger municipal waste transportation fleets
Dual-Stage Odour Control Strategy
The customised OdoServe programme combined SprayGel application during waste loading with OdoServe Odour Control at the truck washing station, providing continuous odour management before, during and after transportation.
Waste Encapsulation
SprayGel coats wet waste to reduce odour release during transport.
Transit Protection
Maintains odour suppression throughout the transportation cycle.
Wash Bay Treatment
Neutralises residual odours remaining inside truck bodies after washing.
Site Optimisation
Customised formulation and application improve performance under actual operating conditions.
Logistics Baseline Overview
A two-stage field trial validated the efficacy of the SprayGel programme under real operating conditions:
Initial Field Trial: Standard gel application achieved 60–70% immediate odor reduction.
On-Site Customisation: Amalgam bio-engineers adjusted gel viscosity, active concentration, and spray coverage for high-moisture tropical wet waste.
Validation Trial: Customised SprayGel achieved 90–95% overall odor neutralization with 2.0 to 2.5 hours active duration.
Operational Parameter | Baseline Metric |
Primary Waste Profile | Wet & Biodegradable Municipal Solid Waste |
Fleet Capacity & Size | 5 Vehicles carrying 9 Tonnes/trip |
Daily Fleet Output | 10 to 15 Trips/day (100–135 Tonnes transported daily) |
Transit Radius & Duration | 20 km Radius, 30–50 Minutes per trip |
Corridor Dispersion Risk | Up to 25 km along public roads |
*Values shown are project-specific and may vary depending on facility requirements and operating conditions.
Performance Results & Analytics
Key Metrics Achieved
95% Odour Reduction: Following site-specific optimisation, the customised OdoServe programme achieved 90 to 95% odour reduction, significantly improving odour control during municipal wet waste transportation.
Extended Transit Protection: The solution maintained effective odour suppression for 2.0 to 2.5 hours, covering the majority of transportation cycles without requiring re-application.
Reduced Transit Odour Emissions: SprayGel substantially reduced odour emissions during transportation, lowering nuisance levels along public transport routes and improving environmental acceptability.
Improved Vehicle Hygiene: OdoServe Odour Control reduced residual odours remaining inside truck bodies after routine cleaning, enhancing the effectiveness of the existing vehicle sanitation programme.
Operational Compatibility: The customised odour control programme was integrated into existing municipal waste transportation operations without requiring modifications to established loading, transportation or vehicle washing procedures.
Operational Benefits
Achieved 90 to 95% odour reduction during municipal wet waste transportation.
Maintained effective odour suppression for 2.0 to 2.5 hours, covering most transport cycles.
Integrated seamlessly into existing waste loading, transport and truck washing operations.
Enhanced the effectiveness of the existing vehicle sanitation programme.
Occupational Benefits
Improved working conditions for drivers and waste handling personnel.
Reduced exposure to objectionable odours during loading, transport and unloading.
Improved workplace comfort throughout daily waste transportation activities.
Community Benefits
Reduced off-site odour emissions along transportation routes.
Lowered the potential for public nuisance complaints from surrounding communities.
Improved public perception of municipal waste transportation activities.
Environmental Benefits
Reduced odour emissions from wet biodegradable municipal waste during transit.
Improved environmental acceptability of municipal waste transportation operations.
Supported cleaner urban sanitation and environmental management practices.
OdoServe SprayGel being applied directly onto wet municipal solid waste before transportation to suppress odour emissions throughout the transit cycle.
Client Feedback: Municipal Waste Transport Odour Control
"Persistent odours during wet waste transportation and residual truck odours after washing had become a major operational challenge for us. After implementing the customised OdoServe SprayGel and OdoServe Odour Control programme, odour emissions reduced significantly throughout transit, vehicle hygiene improved, and the solution integrated seamlessly into our daily operations. The customised formulation delivered consistent performance across our transportation fleet."
Operations Manager
Municipal Waste Transportation Facility, Goa, India
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Facing Public Complaints or Persistent Odors in Your Waste Logistics Fleet?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How did OdoServe SprayGel achieve 95% odour reduction during wet municipal waste transport in Goa?
OdoServe SprayGel Technology was sprayed directly onto 9-tonne loads of wet biodegradable waste during JCB loading. Combined with OdoServe Odour Control at the truck wash bay, it encapsulated volatile organic compounds and achieved 90% to 95% odour reduction across 25 km transport routes.
Performance Highlights:
Fleet Operations: Protected 5 transport vehicles carrying 100 to 135 tonnes/day over 10 to 15 daily trips.
Extended Protection: Provided 2.0 to 2.5 hours of continuous odour control, covering typical 30 to 50-minute transport times.
Wash-Bay Hygiene: Removed odours caused by leachate and organic residues trapped inside truck body crevices after routine washing.
Q2: Why do conventional cleaning chemicals and fragrances fail during wet waste transport?
Conventional fragrances only mask unpleasant smells with temporary scents that quickly disappear in hot and humid conditions. They do not neutralise volatile organic acids, amines, or sulphur compounds, allowing odours from absorbed leachate to remain inside truck bodies.
Engineering Comparison:
Fragrances & Deodorisers: Provide short-term odour masking but are ineffective during 30 to 50-minute transport journeys and do not prevent odour release.
OdoServe SprayGel: Forms a physical-chemical gel barrier over wet waste, trapping and neutralising odour-causing compounds at the liquid-air interface for up to 2.5 hours.
Q3: How does the dual-stage OdoServe odour control strategy work for waste transport fleets?
The dual-stage approach combines Stage 1, where OdoServe SprayGel is applied during waste loading to trap odours throughout transport, and Stage 2, where OdoServe Odour Control is applied in the wash bay to remove remaining odours and leachate residues after unloading.
Process Breakdown:
Transit Stage (SprayGel): Applied to the waste during loading to reduce odour release along 25 km transport routes.
Wash-Bay Stage: Applied during truck cleaning to neutralise odours trapped in metal joints, floor seams, and tailgates.
Q4: What site-specific customisations were made during the Goa municipal waste field trial?
The initial trial achieved 60% to 70% odour reduction. Amalgam Biotech bio-engineers improved the formulation by adjusting gel viscosity, active ingredient concentration, and spray nozzle distribution to suit high-moisture tropical municipal waste, increasing odour reduction to 90% to 95%.
Optimisation Parameters:
Gel Viscosity & Adhesion: Designed to remain attached to uneven waste surfaces during vehicle movement.
Moisture Resistance: Helps maintain performance despite high levels of liquid leachate inside open truck bodies.
Q5: What are the community and workplace benefits of using SprayGel on waste transport trucks?
OdoServe SprayGel helps reduce public odour complaints along 25 km transport routes, improves working conditions for drivers and loading staff, supports better workplace hygiene, and enhances the public image of municipal waste collection services.
Impact Summary:
Occupational Safety: Reduces worker exposure to odours generated by decomposing organic waste.
Community Protection: Helps prevent odour from spreading into nearby residential and commercial areas during transport.
Q6: Can OdoServe SprayGel be integrated into existing municipal waste collection operations without modifying trucks?
Yes, OdoServe SprayGel can be introduced into existing waste collection operations without modifying transport vehicles, loading equipment, or wash-bay facilities. It is applied using standard portable or vehicle-mounted spray systems during normal loading and truck cleaning operations.
Turnkey Support: Amalgam Biotech provides complete support across India, including site assessment, customised formulation, equipment selection, implementation guidance, and ongoing technical support for municipal and industrial waste transport fleets.
Written by Ashutosh Vadanagekar
Technical Director, Amalgam Biotech
Ashutosh Vadanagekar has over 22 years of experience in water and wastewater treatment, with expertise in process design and bioculture technology. He develops and implements eco-friendly biological treatment solutions for ETPs and STPs across industries, addressing challenges such as high COD and BOD, ammonia, FOG, odour and biological process instability. He also contributes technical expertise and practical insights to Amalgam Biotech’s wastewater treatment case studies. Connect on LinkedIn