Waste management in India

Kolkata landfill
Solid Waste Disposal Ground in Kolkata
Recycler
India relies on large scale landfills and the informal sector to help address its growing waste management challenges

Waste management in India falls under the purview of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). In 2016, this ministry released the Solid Wastage Management (SWM) Rules, which replaced by the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, and 2000 of which had been in place for 16 years.[1] This national policy plays a significant role in the acknowledgment and inclusion of the informal sector (waste pickers) into the waste management process for the first time.

India generates 62 million tonnes (61,000,000 long tons; 68,000,000 short tons) of waste each year. About 43 million tonnes (70%) are collected, of which about 12 million tonnes are treated, and 31 million tonnes are dumped in landfill sites.[2][3]

Farmland in Uttar Pradesh polluted by littering

With changing consumption patterns and rapid economic growth, it is estimated that urban municipal solid waste generation will increase to 165 million tonnes in 2030.[4][5][6]

  1. ^ "Solid waste management rules, 2016". Civilsdaily. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Solid waste management rules, 2016". Civilsdaily. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Government notifies new solid waste management rules". www.downtoearth.org.in/. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  4. ^ "'Solid Waste Management Rules Revised After 16 Years; Rules Now Extend to Urban and Industrial Areas': Javadekar". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 - India Environment Portal | News, reports, documents, blogs, data, analysis on environment & development | India, South Asia". www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  6. ^ admin (6 May 2017). "Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management - IAS prep - Sept 2017 update". iascurrent.com. Retrieved 26 March 2019.