Page 46 - CIJ Nov 2024 Digital Edition

WASTE MANAGEMENT

India to generate 0.7kg

waste per person per day: by 2025:

Report

The rise in living standards fuelled by the industrial revolution and economic growth
has dramatically reshaped consumption patterns, resulting in complex challenges for
solid waste management (SWM). This shift in lifestyle has significantly increased the
proportion of inorganic materials in waste, complicating SWM and elevating it to a
global concern. A Report

reviously, most the urgent need for effective waste positions, respectively, in terms of
waste was organic management strategies. waste generation.
and could be safely Solid waste management in India The Central Pollution Control
disposed of in low- is a critical issue driven by rapid Board, along with State Pollution
Plying areas, integrating urbanization, growing populations, Control Boards and Committees,
naturally into biogeochemical cycles. and shifting consumption patterns. formulates environmental policies
However, with the rapid growth According to the Central Pollution and oversees pollution monitoring
in the production of industrially Control Board’s (CPCB) latest report, and reporting at both the central
manufactured materials — such India generates approximately 160,038 and state levels. At the local level,
as metals, glass, plastic, paper, the tonnes of solid waste daily. However, municipal agencies and cantonment
volume of inorganic waste has surged. only about 50% of this waste is treated, boards are responsible for
This modern waste includes with the remaining portion often implementing plans and regulations
municipal solid waste from ending up in landfills or disposed of within their jurisdictions. They are
residential and commercial areas, improperly, leading to environmental tasked with developing infrastructure
construction and demolition debris degradation and public health concerns. for the collection, segregation,
like stone and steel, biomedical waste This situation highlights the urgent transportation, storage, treatment,
from healthcare facilities, e-waste need for an efficient waste management processing, and disposal of solid
from electronic devices, and various system that can address India’s waste. India’s SWM rules mandate
hazardous and toxic wastes. The escalating waste crisis in a sustainable that citizens segregate waste at the
increase in manufactured materials and effective way. household level and strictly avoid
has been driven by expanding The current rate of solid waste littering streets, ensuring waste
urbanization, rising consumerism, generation in India stands at 0.34 kg is delivered through the systems
established by civic bodies. Although
and a rapidly growing population, per person per day, and it is projected India’s SWM model was initially
each contributing to escalating waste to increase to 0.7kg per person basic, the recent incorporation of
generation across the globe. per day by the year 2025. By that concepts such as reduction, reuse, and

These factors have made SWM time, India is anticipated to surpass recycling (3R), along with material
a pressing issue that impacts Germany, Japan, and Brazil, which and energy recovery, has significantly
regions worldwide, highlighting currently hold the 4th, 5th, and 6th enhanced the model.

NOVEMBER 2024•Clean India Journal
46 www.cleanindiajournal.com