Answer: Solid waste management (SWM) is a critical issue in India, especially in urban areas. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generates approximately 62 million tons of solid waste annually, of which about 45 million tons is collected and only 12 million tons is treated. With the rapid urbanization and industrialization, this amount is expected to increase to 165 million tons by 2030.

Challenges associated with the Solid waste management (SWM) in urban areas: 

• Lack of infrastructure and resources: According to CPCB, Indian cities produce around 62 million tonnes of solid waste every year, of which only 58% is collected, 11% is treated and only 31% is disposed off in a safe and scientific manner.
• For example, in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, only around 25% of the collected waste is disposed off properly.
• Inadequate waste disposal methods: A large portion of the waste generated is dumped in open landfills, which is harmful to the environment and human health.
• For example, in India, 77% of waste is disposed of in open dumps, 18% is composted and just 5% is recycled.
• Lack of public awareness and citizen participation: There is a lack of understanding of the importance of proper waste disposal, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
• For example, there is poor implementation of laws like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and ban on plastic bags.
• Informal sector involvement: The informal sector plays a significant role in SWM in India, with waste pickers and recyclers collecting and processing a significant portion of the waste generated. However, they operate outside the formal waste management system and face various challenges, including lack of recognition, job insecurity, and low wages.
• For example, informal waste economy employs about 0.5% - 2% of the urban population worldwide. Waste-pickers alone account for 0.1% of India’s urban workforce.
• Institutional Factors: Urban local bodies (ULBs) are responsible for keeping cities and towns clean. However, most ULBs lack adequate infrastructure and face various strategic and institutional weaknesses, such as poor institutional capacity, financial constraints, and a lack of political will.
• Technology and innovation challenges: The adoption of technology and innovation in SWM faces various challenges, including a lack of awareness and knowledge among stakeholders, inadequate research and development, and high implementation costs.

Government of India has taken various measures to address the challenges of urban solid waste management 

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission): The campaign aims to achieve an open-defecation-free India and improve solid waste management through various initiatives.
• Waste-to-Energy (WtE) projects: The Government of India has promoted the development of WtE projects to manage solid waste and generate energy.
• The Union budget 2023-24 aims to establish 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme for promoting circular economy.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the e-Waste Management Rules, 2016: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concept aims to promote waste reduction, reuse, and recycling and reduce the burden on municipal solid waste management.
• Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 and 2016: The rules provide guidelines for waste collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal, and promote source segregation, decentralized waste management, and the involvement of the informal sector.
• Public-private partnerships: The government has promoted public-private partnerships (PPPs) in solid waste management to bring in private sector expertise, technology, and investment.
• For example, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) launched a PPP project to improve solid waste management in the city.

Most of the legislations for waste disposal have failed to achieve their objectives due to a lack of clarity and awareness amongst the stakeholders and poor enforcement by the regulators. There is a need to streamline waste management practices using technology and make the SWM system techno-economically viable and sustainable.