Urban Solid Waste Management and its Challenges

In urban India, solid waste management (SWM) has become one of the biggest development challenges. Numerous studies show that improper waste disposal produces hazardous gases and leachates as a result of microbial decomposition, environmental factors, and land-filling practices. India produces more than 150,000 tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) each day, with Mumbai ranking as the fifth most wasteful city in the world. However, only 83% of waste is collected, and only 30% of that is processed. A key component of sustainable Metropolitan growth is Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM). To reduce its damaging effects on the environment, solid waste is separated, stored, collected, moved, transported, processed, and disposed of. Unmanaged MSW contributes to the spread of a wide range of illnesses.

Solid Waste Management

Solid Waste Management is the process of controlling the generation, storage, collection, transport or transfer, processing, and disposal of solid waste materials. It encompasses planning, administration, finance, engineering, and legal tasks within its purview. The methods used to manage solid waste can vary depending on the type of producer-residential or industrial, urban or rural, developed or developing nation. Local government agencies are responsible for managing non-hazardous waste in metropolitan regions while the management of hazardous waste materials is normally the responsibility of those who produce it.

Need for Solid Waste Management

• In India, only 75–80 percent of all municipal waste is collected, and only 22–28 percent of that is handled and disposed of. A significant amount of the collected waste is frequently thrown carelessly, obstructing the sewerage and drainage systems. These serve as breeding places for insects and rodents that spread dangerous diseases. 
• According to a report published by ICRIER in January 2020, Ahmedabad collects the most trash (95 percent), while Delhi collects the least (39 percent)
• Solid Waste management will protect biodiversity, natural resources, and human life. 
• Additionally, it is beneficial for the economy as it will increase the employment required to run an effective waste management system. Waste management is gaining importance over time—not just for protecting the environment, but also as a growing industry for the economy.

Challenges posed by Urban Solid Waste in Metropolitan Planning

• One of the major problems faced in Metropolitan Planning is the Solid waste segregation problem. Neither at the level of the household nor at the community, there is any coordinated and scientifically designed segregation of Urban Solid Waste. Garbage sorting is primarily carried out by the unorganized sector and rarely is it done by waste producers. The unorganized sector segregates only valuable discarded elements, making segregation and sorting extremely dangerous and harmful processes with a poor level of effectiveness.
• Nearly every city, town, and hamlet in India adopted an illogical method for disposing of Urban Solid Waste.
• Landfill management problems: Violations of the laws governing the site of landfills, the installation of security measures such as compound walls, CCTV cameras, firefighting tools, and water tanks, and the regularization of rag pickers. Also, the burning of landfill sites affects health and air quality as they release methane gas. Many of these landfills have been operating past the designated deadline. With urban growth comes the need to reclaim old landfills and find new locations.
• The scarcity of information about garbage makes it difficult to find solutions that are suitable for the specific types of waste that are generated in a certain area.
• India is currently battling to build a successful waste-to-energy plant. Importing economically viable and tested technologies is necessary. In addition, the garbage that has been appropriately classified and separated must be sent to waste-to-energy facilities in accordance with their needs.
• Lack of coordination between the Center and the State is another big problem. The lack of coordination for a defined action plan and a weak strategy at the execution level by ULBs.
• Urbanization and a lack of adequate funding have led to most dump sites in major cities becoming overfilled. It is made worse by a lack of funding to address the waste management issue. Due to a lack of funding, ULBs lack the infrastructure needed to offer effective solutions.

Steps were taken by Government for Solid Waste Management:

• Swachha Survekshan: An annual survey of sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness in Indian cities and towns is known as the Swachha Survekshan. Under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, it debuted as a component of the Swachha Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U). It awards cities and towns with no trash stars based on a number of criteria.
• Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign: It promoted cleanliness by involving all relevant parties in the “Jan Andolan” (National Movement).
• A multi-media campaign called Compost Banao, Compost Apnao was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on waste-to-compost under Swachha Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM- U). The intention was to get people to compost their kitchen scraps so that less garbage ends up in landfills and can be used as fertilizer.
• Promotion of Waste to Energy: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) established the Program on Energy from Urban, Industrial, Agricultural Waste/Residues, and Municipal Solid Waste to support the establishment of Waste-to-Energy projects and to provide centralised financial support.
• SWM is also a part of the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (2010), one of the eight missions included in the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC). This mission focuses on habitat sustainability issues, particularly those relating to metropolitan areas.

Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016:

• Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016 replaced the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules of 2000.
• These rules are now applicable beyond municipal are to urban agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, areas under Indian Railways control, airports, airbases, ports, and harbours, defense establishments, special economic zones, State and Central government organizations, pilgrimage sites, and sites of religious and historical significance.
• The 2016, Solid waste management rules place a strong emphasis on the separation of waste at source, manufacturer responsibility for packaging and sanitary waste disposal, and user costs for bulk generator collection, disposal, and processing.
• Now it is the responsibility of generators to segregate the waste at the source into three types: wet (biodegradable), dry (plastic, paper, metal, wood, etc.), and domestic hazardous wastes (diapers, napkins, empty containers of cleaning agents, mosquito repellents, etc.)
• Biodegradable waste should be processed, treated, and disposed of on-site using composting or bio-methanation. The remaining trash should be given to the waste collection service or agency as directed by the local authorities.
• The recommendations promote the use of compost, waste-to-energy conversion, and alterations to landfill location and capacity parameters.
• In order to oversee the entire application of the legislation, the government has also formed a Central Monitoring Committee, which is led by the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Food, and Climate Change.
• The Rules for the Safe Treatment of Legacy Waste require the use of bio-remediation and bio-mining at all open dumpsites and currently operational dumpsites in India.
• In addition, every Indian citizen is required under Article 51 A (g) of the Indian Constitution to safeguard and enhance the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and animals, as well as to exhibit compassion for all living things.

Way Forward:

• In order to rebuild India’s waste management system, research and development should be encouraged. Recycling and recovery from garbage should be prioritized over landfilling. Additionally, it’s critical to promote e-waste recycling in order to address the issue of e-waste. 
• Public-Private Partnership methods for trash management should be promoted.
• Both biomining and bioremediation are excellent, straightforward processes that are not only economical but also environmentally friendly. The land that was formerly a landfill can be made available for alternative uses.
• In areas where they are appropriate, it is crucial to make biomining and bioremediation mandatory. Municipalities shouldn’t have the authority to determine whether or not there are geographical restrictions on the application of these tactics.
• If capping is necessary, it should be done scientifically using underground pits with solid bottoms and sideliners, appropriate plumbing, and gas extraction devices to stop leachate and gases from escaping.
• Decentralization of waste management is crucial. Two excellent examples of this are Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh and Vellore, where waste was collected decentralized, composted naturally, and then planted.

Conclusion:

Solid Waste Management is a significant issue in India due to population increase and, in particular, the emergence of megacities. India now relies on an insufficient garbage infrastructure, the unorganized sector, and waste disposal. Public participation in trash management raises serious challenges as residents often don’t take responsibility for their waste. To create effective and sustainable waste management systems, it is essential to raise community awareness and alter people’s attitudes toward garbage.