Solid Waste
- It includes garbage, construction debris, sludge from waste treatment plants and other discarded solid materials coming from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations and from household and public activities.
Issues
- Waste Segregation at Source: Limited awareness and lack of proper infrastructure hinder effective waste segregation at source (household level).
- Informal Sector: A large informal waste picking sector operates with minimal support and faces health risks.
- Inadequate Collection and Transportation Systems: Inefficient collection systems, especially in rural areas, leave a significant portion of waste uncollected.
- Limited Landfill Capacity: Existing landfills are reaching capacity, and establishing new ones faces social resistance due to pollution concerns.
- Waste-to-Energy Plants: Limited capacity and high operational costs restrict the effectiveness of waste-to-energy plants.
Initiatives
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Launched in 2014 to achieve cleanliness and sanitation. Focuses on eliminating open defecation and improving solid waste management.
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016: Comprehensive guidelines for effective waste management. Mandates segregation of waste at source, composting, and waste-to-energy.
- The Municipal Solid Waste (Management) Rules: Mandate waste segregation, composting, and establishment of processing facilities.