The paper reports on the material flow analysis and integrated bio-systems of a conceptual Micro Treatment Plant Model (MTPM'2000)  for urban solid waste in Indian context. Seven optional technological sub-systems namely,
vermicomposting, bacterial composting, sanitary refill, fuel pellets, boiler fuel, bio-gas/vermicomposting and mushroom growing have been validated for Environmental Sound Technology (EST) determinants for sustainable scales of operation. The conceptual model is primarily based on operational treatment plants and their working parameters viz., minimum size of the unit, volume of garbage, holding time, useful mass throughput, quality of waste input, waste generated and infrastructure, labour and capital cost parameters viz., land area required,  capital investment, labour employed, product/energy  recovered and net returns per ton of solid waste processed etc..

Earlier a conceptual model'94  was developed under a bilateral  development project supported and facilitated by the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands and KSCST (Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology)
respectively. The model was  based on field research studies conducted during 1992-1994 in the cities of  Bangalore, Hyderabad and Madras, India. The study was taken up essentially  to establish linkages between formal and informal sectors  involving various stake holders. Practical micro treatment plants in the past have undergone significant design changes leading to optimizations and have expanded in numbers in both metropolitan and medium size urban settlements.

The paper reports, operational community models re-visited and verified in field conditions for their actual material flows and integration of various bio-systems, as  MTPM'2000. Enhancing ecological literacy for efficient material segregation at households, waste minimization, need based training of the waste handlers and supervisors in local authorities, optimizing material flows  based on environmental sound technology are recommended. The need for integrating informal sector waste picking urban poor  surviving on solid waste collection, segregation and handling  is felt essential.

Selected technological determinants  of main inputs and outputs in typical four subsystems:

Vermicomposting :  min. size 1mX1mX0.3m:  min.vol. of waste treated 0.3 cu.m/day : min.viable size 0.25 tons/day: useful mass throughput 0.25 by dry wt. : holding time 15+25 days, labour employed 2 mandays, value of product Rs,2000-5000 per ton

Bacterial composting:    min size 5mX4mX1.5m : min. volume of waste treated  30 cu.m/day, 0.3 useful mass throughput by dry weight: holding time 49 days: labour employed 10-15 mandays , value of product Rs.300-500 per ton

Fuel Pellets :  one plant, min volume of waste treated  30-100 cu.m/day:  holding time 3-7 days, energy recovered 1170 kcals/kg:  value of product Rs.3000 per ton

Mushroom :  min size 6mX2mX1.5m : min volume of waste treated  0.6 cu.m/day: holding time 30+21 days: labour 3 mandays: energy recovered 735 kcal/kg :  value of product Rs.20,000 per ton

Er.V.Jagannatha, 42 yrs,a qualified environmental engineer/training manager/auditor, is an external Ph.D Scholar in harnessing urban waste waters for Bangalore at Bangalore University, India. Contributed in the planning and design of multiple reuse of domestic waste waters for non-potable uses such as A/C cooling water, flushing  cisterns and horticulture(1984-95). Formerly Director, Environmental Training Institute - a need based training institute technically and finacially supported by DANIDA in pollution prevention for industries, local authorities, polution control board and NGOs (1995-97). Practising environmental auditing for voluntary groups  Public Hearing since 1998. Convener, Mysore Local Agenda Network (MLAN) and a founder trustee of the Mysore Environment Trust (MET) for effective community participation in the Sustainable Development of Mysore region, S. India based on AGENDA-21. Served as a steering committe member in the Dutch sponsored field research for urban solid waste management linkages for the cities of Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore, India (1990-92). Recipient of NIQA honor as ENVIRONMENTALIST and Earth Summit Sustainable Development Library Gift from IIED, UK. Serving as a resource person for Community Based Solid Waste Management in Mysore and Bangalore, India (since 1990). One of the Environmental Education Model Ecological and Environmental Studies by Students (EESS-1990) concieved, designed, developed and validated the model presently refered as one of the best initiatives in the Eco-Education Guide for Earth Day network, Web site : http://www.earthday.net/worldwide