Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Waste Management, Issue: India’s Urban Waste Management.
Context:
India’s urban waste challenge is deeply intertwined with its demographic boom, economic growth, climate commitments, and governance reforms.
Key Highlights:
Key Points:
- As the world’s most populous nation with urbanization projected at 50% by 2050 (from ~37% now), cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru generate disproportionate waste, exacerbating air quality crises (e.g., AQI often >400 in winters) and health burdens (e.g., vector-borne diseases from dumpsites).
- This aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities) and India’s NDCs under Paris Agreement, targeting 45% GHG intensity reduction by 2030.
Link to Key Government Initiatives:
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 1.0 & 2.0 (2014–ongoing): Achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2019; Urban 2.0 (2021–2026) focuses on GFC, source segregation (75% target), and 100% dumpsite remediation. Budget: ₹1.41 lakh crore; rated 1,100+ cities ODF+/GFC.
- Mission LIFE (COP26, 2021): India’s “LiFE” push for circular lifestyles; ties into waste as resource, promoted globally.
- Global Backdrop: COP30 (Belém, Nov 2025) launched “No Organic Waste” (NOW) with funds for methane cuts; endorsed circularity for inclusive growth. Builds on COP26/27 pledges.
Key Waste Types and Management Opportunities:
Over half of municipal waste is organic (compostable/biogas convertible), one-third dry (recyclable), with plastics and construction/demolition (C&D) waste as major threats.
- Organic Waste: >50% of total; process via household composting, large biomethanation, or Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants for green fuel/power, cutting methane per COP30’s NOW initiative.
- Dry Waste (Including Plastics): 1/3 of total; requires source segregation, material recovery facilities (MRFs), and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for industries like cement.
- Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste: 12 million tonnes, often unplanned construction; dumped illegally, causing urban blight.
- Wastewater: Linked to water security; recycle for agriculture/industry under AMRUT/SBM. States must prioritize as water is scarce.
Transition to Circularity: Strategies and Models:
Circularity minimizes waste, recovers energy/resources, echoing Mission LIFE’s “deliberate utilization” from COP26.
- Core Shift: From linear to circular – segregate at source, optimize collection/processing, market recycled products.
- Tech and Infrastructure
- Policy Boosts: SBM Urban 2.0, C-3 Coalition (Asia-Pacific, Jaipur 2024), national urban conclaves.
- Citizen Role: Promote 3Rs (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle);
Hurdles to Overcome:
- Operational Gaps: Inefficient segregation, logistics, processing; recycled products face quality/marketing issues.
- Regulatory Shortfalls: Incomplete Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), poor C&D tracing; weak inter-departmental coordination.
- Resource Constraints
- Behavioral Barriers
By adopting a comprehensive and integrated approach to waste management, India can transform its waste-ridden cities into cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban centers, contributing to a circular economy and a more resilient future.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/transforming-a-waste-ridden-urban-india/article70464788.ece
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