Recently, the Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern over the inadequate measures being adopted to address the problem of solid waste management in New Delhi. The Supreme Court pointed out that out of the 11,000 tonnes of solid waste generated daily in the national capital, about 3,800 tonnes is not disposed of properly. A large portion of this untreated waste is being deposited in landfills, causing serious problems to public health and the environment. The Supreme Court has stressed the need for immediate solution while keeping it away from political conflicts.
Issues with India’s Solid Waste Management
- Solid Waste comprises solid or semi-solid household waste, sanitary waste, commercial waste, institutional waste, catering and market waste, as well as other non-residential wastes.
- It also includes street sweepings, silt collected from surface drains, horticulture waste, agriculture and dairy waste, treated biomedical waste (excluding industrial, bio-medical, and e-waste), battery, and radioactive waste.
- India accounts for roughly 18% of the world’s population and 12% of global municipal waste generation.
- According to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India generates 62 million tonnes of waste each year. About 43 million tonnes (70%) are collected, of which about 12 million tonnes are treated, and 31 million tonnes are dumped in landfill sites.
- With changing consumption patterns and rapid economic growth, it is estimated that urban municipal solid waste generation will increase to 165 million tonnes in 2030.
Issues
Poor Implementation of Rules
- Most metro cities are littered with garbage bins that are either old, damaged or insufficient in containing solid wastes.
- One major issue is the lack of waste segregation at the source, leading to unprocessed mixed waste entering landfills in contravention of Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.
- Additionally, some areas lack regular waste collection services, leading to waste buildup and littering.
Problem of Dumping Sites
- Waste processing plants in metro cities face land scarcity, leading to untreated waste and exacerbated by illegal dumping and lack of stakeholder coordination, complicating municipal waste management.
- Despite waste-processing facilities in metro cities, a huge amount of solid waste remains unprocessed, leading to environmental hazards such as methane emissions, leachates, and landfill fires often turning into tonnes of legacy waste.
- Biomining efforts initiated in 2019, are now projected for completion by 2026, prolonging the environmental impact until fresh waste is properly managed, perpetuating the growth of landfills.
Lack of Data Collection Mechanism
- Without historical data (time series) or data on multiple regions (panel data), private companies cannot effectively assess the potential costs and benefits of participating in waste management projects.
- The lack of data makes it challenging for private entities to gauge the overall market size and potential profitability of waste management solutions in different regions of India.
- Formal and Informal Waste Management System: Municipal waste collection services often fall short in low-income communities, creating a gap filled by the informal sector.
- Informal waste pickers often face health risks due to unhygienic conditions and lack of safety gear, with child labour being a concern in some areas.
- Lack of Public Awareness: There is also a general lack of public awareness and proper waste management practices, leading to littering and improper disposal habits.
Solid Waste Management Rules 2016
- These rules replaced the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 and focused on the segregation of waste at source, the responsibility of the manufacturer to dispose of sanitary and packaging wastes, and user fees for collection, disposal and processing from the bulk generator.
Key Features
Responsibilities of Generators have been introduced to segregate waste in to three streams
- Wet (Biodegradable)
- Dry (Plastic, Paper, metal, wood, etc.)
- Domestic hazardous wastes (diapers, napkins, empty containers of cleaning agents, mosquito repellents, etc.) and handover segregated wastes to authorized rag-pickers or waste collectors or local bodies.