Waste Reduction in India – Challenges and suggestions

With rapid urbanization, industrialization and economic growth, the world is facing an exponential challenge of waste management and India is no exception. Did you know that India generates over 62 million tons (MT) of waste in a year? According to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) only 43 MT of total waste generated gets collected, with 12 MT being treated before disposal, and the remaining 31 MT simply discarded in wasteyards. The Indian Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has projected that annual waste generation in India will increase to 165 MT by 2030.

Classification of waste

Besides the biodegradable waste like kitchen and food waste, sanitary waste and flower and fruit waste and non-biodegradable waste like plastics, metals, glasses and various types of wrapping, there is another kind of waste called the Domestic Hazardous Waste (DHW). The alarming fact is that most of it is used in our daily lives. Be it nail paint, LED bulbs, tubelights, pesticides or car batteries, these are thrown away casually along with our daily waste generation.

Most of the waste generated not only remains untreated but inadequate waste collection and disposal have become major causes for environmental and public health concerns in the country. 

If you thought disposing of waste out of sight is a solution, then think again. It does not solve the problem but indirectly increases the problem manifold and goes beyond control. It poses threat to health hazards and results in soil, water and air pollution. It not only affects the human health but the entire ecosystem is put at risk. It is therefore essential to focus on proper management of waste. 

Challenges

Some of the challenges that India faces in waste disposal are:

Waste segregation: Though many municipalities provide segregation bins, but same is not true at the source. Many households do not have separate bins and everything ends up in a single bin. 

Landfills

More than 50% of India’s solid waste is dumped into landfills, which is a major problem due to inefficient waste management systems. 

Low Public awareness

Low public awareness on the importance of segregation of dry waste and solid waste and the harmful effects it can cause on human and environmental hazard. Lack of public interest and participation in waste management is also a huge area of concern.

Infrastructure concerns

The generation of municipal solid waste is expected to rise to 165 million tonnes by 2030 due to changing consumption patterns and rapid economic growth but there are no enough bins, area for disposal or even number of waste collectors are not increasing at that rate. 

Community Intervention

Managing waste or reducing of waste is not only the job of an individual but that of a community as a whole. 

Be informed – It is important to be informed about the harmful effects of irresponsible waste management. One should read about the ill-effects and also act as ambassadors in the neighbourhood and share the information.

Separate garbage – As it is said, charity begins at home, even segregation of waste should begin at home. Make separate bins for dry and wet waste and dispose it in the same way. There are NGOs who accept domestic hazardous waste and treat it in a scientific manner. Instead of just casually tossing things in the bin, you can even share them with your maids, labours and other needy people. 

Compost – Compositing is very simple and one of the easiest and quickest ways of disposing of organic waste. You can also have neighbours start a vermiculture bin. 

4 Rs – Last but not the least, make 4Rs the motto of your life – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Consume less and stop from un-necessary purchases. Reuse things that can be done and recycle with friends and family. 

With some small changes, we can bring in big changes in our life and society. 

Nilanjana Bose

(Professional and mother)