Page 48 - CIJ Nov 2024 Digital Edition

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The financial constraints faced by
Waste Composition municipalities further exacerbate is inconsistent due to enforcement
challenges at the municipal level,
The composition of solid waste in these infrastructure challenges. including limited human resources,
India differs markedly from those Limited funds affect everything lack of technical expertise, and
found in Western countries. On from basic waste collection to the insufficient monitoring systems.
a wet-weight basis, the physical development of advanced waste Strengthening policy implementation
composition of India’s solid waste treatment facilities. The lack of through more localized training
comprises the following: financial resources also impacts programs, regular audits, and
(a) biodegradable organic matter maintenance, as many SWM simplified guidelines could address
accounting for 51.3±8.3%, facilities operate with outdated these enforcement challenges,
(b) recyclables constituting up to technology and inadequate making the SWM rules more
17.48±5%, workforce training. Public-private actionable for local authorities.
partnerships (PPPs) and increased
(c) ash content ranging from 30-40%, funding allocations are becoming To address the challenges in
(d) paper making up about 3-6%, and potential solutions to bridge this gap, SWM, India must promote waste
(e) inert materials such as glass, allowing for more comprehensive segregation at the source, improve
plastic, and metals comprising up waste management systems public awareness, and enhance
to 1-6%. being developed, operated, and infrastructure with more waste
Organic waste primarily consists maintained. recovery, recycling and treatment
of food and other biodegradable For example, Corporate Social facilities. Decentralized solid
materials, while recyclables include Responsibility (CSR) funding is waste management, such as on-site
items like paper, plastic, and playing a significant role is boosting composting, can reduce the burden
metal. However, due to inadequate the waste management system in on the landfills while providing
segregation at the source, these India by investing in technologies valuable organic compost.
materials often get mixed, making the for recycling, improving source Additionally, establishing more
process of recycling or composting segregation rates, building the waste-to-energy plants could convert
more difficult and costly. This issue, supply chains for waste commodities non-recyclable waste into energy,
compounded by a lack of awareness which otherwise were not getting reducing the amount of waste
and motivation for waste segregation collected (such as low-commercial that ends up in landfills. These
at the household level, poses a value plastic waste). improvements, combined with
significant barrier to effective waste Public awareness and participation financial and policy support, could
management in India. remain crucial but underdeveloped create a sustainable SWM model in
components of effective waste India that meets the needs of both
Challenges & solutions management. The CPCB report urban and rural areas.

India’s SWM infrastructure indicates that despite government In conclusion, solid waste
struggles to keep pace with the rising campaigns, only a small portion of management in India is at a
the population actively participates
waste generation. According to in waste segregation and other crossroads. Addressing this
CPCB data, only about a quarter of environmentally responsible issue requires a collaborative
India’s over 4,000 waste processing practices. This lack of public approach involving government
plants operate at full capacity. involvement makes it challenging to agencies, private sector partners,
Many municipalities lack sufficient implement SWM programs at scale. and the public. By enhancing
facilities for segregation, recycling, waste segregation, expanding
and composting, which limits the Awareness initiatives and infrastructure, and promoting public
volume of waste that can be processed community involvement in waste awareness, India can mitigate the
effectively. In many cases, waste reduction practices can significantly adverse environmental and health
that could be recycled or composted impact the success of waste effects of its waste crisis.
ends up in landfills, contributing to management policies and help
environmental pollution. Additionally, shift the public mindset toward With the implementation of
India’s reliance on landfills — most sustainability. the policies and active public
of which are overburdened and poorly India has established policies such participation, the country can move
managed — poses serious risks, as the Solid Waste Management towards a more sustainable and
including groundwater contamination, Rules, 2016, which outline the roles effective SWM system, securing a
air pollution, and greenhouse gas and responsibilities of stakeholders healthier and cleaner future for its
emissions. in SWM. However, implementation citizens. – Source: IPCA

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