Solid waste management in India remains a significant challenge, with the Supreme Court of India recently criticizing the situation in New Delhi. Over 3,800 tonnes of untreated solid waste are present in Delhi alone, accumulating in landfills and posing a threat to public health and the environment. Effective measures are urgently needed for the safe disposal and treatment of solid waste in India.
STATUS OF SOLID WASTE GENERATION IN INDIA
Solid waste refers to any unwanted or discarded material that is not in a liquid or gaseous state. The solid waste includes a wide range of materials generated from various sources such as households, industries, commercial establishments, construction sites, and institutions.
Common examples of solid waste include paper, plastics, glass, metal, textiles, food scraps, yard waste, and electronic waste.
According to CPCB report, only 50% of total solid waste generated in the country is treated. The processing of solid waste in India has improved significantly, from 19% in 2015-16 to 50% in 2020-21.
In the corresponding period, the proportion of solid waste landfilled has fallen from 54% to 18.4%.
About 50-55% of the waste generated in Indian cities is biodegradable wet waste, about 35% is non-biodegradable wet waste and 10% is an inert component.
CHALLENGES WITH SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA:
Rising Waste Generation: Rapid economic growth has led to higher consumption levels, resulting in increased waste generation. The expansion of the digital economy has also caused a significant rise in e-waste. For instance, a Planning Commission report estimated that India will generate 165 million tonnes of waste by 2030.
Lack of Proper Waste Management:
Poor Processing: Only 50% of the waste produced in India is processed. About 30% of waste is unaccounted for, and 20% ends up in landfills, highlighting inadequate waste disposal methods.
Incorrect and Inadequate Segregation Techniques: There is poor segregation of waste at the source. Hazardous waste and e-waste are not properly sealed and labeled, leading to improper disposal. For example, valuable materials like aluminum and plastics end up in landfills instead of being recycled.
Reuse/Recycling of Waste: The reuse and recycling of waste are mostly handled by the informal economy, which lacks access to advanced technology.
Littering and Illegal Dumping: Due to inadequate disposal methods, nearly half of the waste is placed in uncontrolled dumps and landfills. These landfills generate methane gases, leachates, and fires, adversely affecting the surrounding environment.
Lack of Land Resources: Urban areas in India lack sufficient land resources to set up waste processing plants. For example, waste processing plants in Delhi require large parcels of land, about 30-40 acres each, for treatment.
Lack of Public Awareness: The lack of public awareness regarding proper waste management practices leads to littering and improper disposal habits.
Lack of Regular Waste Collection Services: The absence of regular waste collection services contributes to the accumulation of waste and littering. Illegal dumping in open areas and water bodies increases the pressure on municipal bodies, requiring more resources for cleanup.
IMPACTS OF POOR WASTE MANAGEMENT
Health Issues: Improper waste management results in several health problems
Open Burning of Waste: This produces harmful particles that can cause lung diseases.
Poor Collection: Accumulated garbage serves as breeding grounds for rats and mosquitoes, which can spread diseases like malaria and dengue.
Environmental Issues: Inadequate waste management techniques lead to various environmental problems:
Unscientific Dumping in Landfills: This generates harmful chemicals that seep into the soil and groundwater, rendering groundwater unfit for drinking and causing multiple diseases.
Formation of Harmful Gases: Waste in landfills produces harmful gases that contribute to air pollution. For example, 90-98% of landfill gases consist of methane and carbon dioxide, while the remaining 2-10% includes nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, sulfides, hydrogen, and other gases.
Marine Pollution: Much land-based waste eventually ends up in the sea, causing marine pollution.
Economic Impacts: Poor waste management has significant economic consequences:
Expansion of Landfills: This occupies valuable land, leading to the inefficient use of economic resources.
Impact on Tourism: General filth in cities due to poor waste management negatively affects tourism potential.
Urban Flooding: Inadequate waste collection leads to clogged drains, contributing to urban flooding and resulting in economic losses.
GOVT.INITIATIVES TAKEN UP
The Government of India (GOI) has formulated various Rules and Regulations under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. These include: a. Solid Waste Management Rules b. e-Waste Management Rules c. Plastic Waste Management Rules
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Mechanism
Swachh Bharat Mission for Solid Waste Management
Compost Banao, Compost Apnao Campaign
Promotion of Waste to Energy
BEST PRACTICES-LADAKH
In its latest report titled ‘Waste-Wise Cities-Best practices in municipal solid waste management,’ the NITI Aayog said that in 2020, with the help of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) the municipal committee installed a 30 tonne per day capacity solar power-based solid waste management plant which is running successfully.
With that, the reports said that Leh has achieved 100 per cent source segregation and 90 per cent material recovery at the facility to generate revenue from recyclables and compost have been successful and the system works efficiently.
Under the project, a setup has been put in place to turn waste into revenue-generating goods, such as curtains, toys and cushion covers while wine or beer bottles and broken glass are reused in the construction of roads and buildings by local construction companies.
WAY FORWARD:
Waste management planning should be based on robust scientific and engineering studies. These should take into account waste composition, capital and long-term operating costs, transport distances, and the geographical location of waste processing and disposal facilities.
Integrating technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), into waste management can provide long-term benefits. For example, RFID-enabled door-to-door waste collection monitoring can enhance collection efficiency, and GPS-based vehicle tracking can enable real-time monitoring.
Stringent implementation of policies supporting recycling and processing of waste is crucial. Waste processing methods like composting, vermicomposting, and bio-methanation should be adopted for treating organic waste.
Bio-methanation (anaerobic digestion), which uses microorganisms to convert organic waste into methane for fuel, should be scaled up. Additionally, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), consisting of plastics, paper, and textile waste with high calorific value, can be used to generate power in waste-to-energy projects.
Waste Management Rules incorporating the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ need to be strictly enforced to penalize non-compliance.
Self-help groups, residents’ welfare associations, and community-based organizations should be encouraged to educate the public on effective waste management strategies, including separation, recycling methods, drop-off centers for recyclables, and composting.
PRACTICE QUESTION
Q: Discuss the challenges and impacts of poor solid waste management in India. Suggest a comprehensive way forward to address these issues effectively, highlighting the role of scientific and technological advancements. (15M, 250W)
