Page 52 - CIJ Nov 2024 Digital Edition

WASTE MANAGEMENT

fields joined this movement, driven Additionally, municipalities At the same time, caste dynamics
by the need to protect public may experience a delayed deepen class distinctions and
health through pollution reduction. response to the accumulation neglect of waste in fewer volumes
In response, India enacted the of waste following significant of rural-urban distinction in waste
Water (Prevention and Control health epidemics. Financial management practices, placing the
of Pollution) Act in 1974 and the constraints also play a major waste management burden on the
Air (Prevention and Control of role, as local governments are poor. This has led to new diseases
Pollution) Act in 1981, followed primarily responsible for waste impacting humans, plants, animals,
by the Environmental Protection management but may lack the and ecosystems. Health concerns
Act of 1986, emphasizing the necessary funding. Consequently, related to waste have shifted from
management of liquid and air all these factors have contributed isolated outbreaks and epidemics
pollution and material handling in to a slower regulatory response to a broader spectrum of health
industries. regarding waste management. The issues, which political leaders often
The 1990s marked a significant approach to addressing this issue underestimate.
shift in the focus on climate change has typically leaned towards neo-
and the need to balance economic environmentalism, where economic Recent concerns raised by the
growth with environmental considerations, resource efficiency, National Green Tribunal (NGT)
protection. Experts from various and private sector involvement are regarding the health impacts
fields — including economics, prioritized, emphasising creating of a waste-to-energy plant in
public policy, law, and social “wealth from waste”. Delhi, along with the increasing
sciences — began contributing to The private sector has occurrences of plastics found
this discussion. significantly improved waste in blood and tissues, and the
Resource economics, circular management in India. Many bioaccumulation of metals and
economy, and fiscal and market- municipal corporations have plastics in the food chain, highlight
based instruments gained formed Memorandums of important issues that warrant
prominence during this time. Understanding (MoUs) utilizing a careful consideration.
However, attention to the scientific public-private partnership model. To date, the health benefits
management of solid waste was Non-governmental organizations associated with waste management
largely lacking until the bubonic (NGOs) and civil society groups have not justified the investments
plague outbreak in Surat in have also contributed by promoting made (and there are not enough
1994. Even today, solid waste decentralized waste management studies in the literature to support
management in India is governed solutions, sometimes as part of or refute the claim). Solid waste
by guidelines and rules, and the trendy initiatives. The focus of management programs often lack
country still lacks established these efforts tends to revolve key indicators like cost-benefit
standards and performance around financial considerations, ratios or financial evaluations of
measurement, unlike the long- payback periods, and long-term benefits. However, the effectiveness
standing standards in place for contracts. However, discussions of these investments can be
water and air quality over the past on health implications, which were measured in terms of savings
fifty years. the primary driver of policies and related to human health and
The disparity in waste quality standards, have diminished productivity.
management regulations can be in favour of engineering and
attributed to several factors. Firstly, economics approaches. Focusing on health in waste
there is often no direct correlation The current waste management management clarifies objectives
between health outcomes and solid approach has overlooked key for engineers and policymakers.
waste management, unlike the more issues, requiring a health-focused Health considerations are as crucial
evident relationships observed strategy in light of new challenges. as equipment and infrastructure,
with water and air quality. The While high-tech solutions and leading to a people-centred
common belief is that solid waste informal recycling have addressed approach in designing and
impacts primarily air and water; some aspects, they often prioritise operating waste systems. Engaging
therefore, enforcement of water financial gains, leaving behind stakeholders such as medical
and air emission standards will unique issues for policymakers professionals, health workers,
automatically mitigate the health in India. Large garbage piles on educators, women, and social
risks associated with waste, which urban peripheries generate harmful scientists is essential for realizing
is not entirely accurate. vectors and methane. this vision. – Source ICWMR CIJ

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