What is municipal solid waste (MSW)? Municipal solid waste refers to everyday items discarded by the public. This includes household waste, packaging, food waste, plastics, paper, glass, metals, textiles, and certain hazardous materials.
How much waste does India generate daily? India produces approximately 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste each day, with urban areas contributing significantly. This figure is expected to rise due to urbanization and changing lifestyles.
What are the key components of waste management? The primary components include:
Why is segregation at source important? It enhances recycling and composting efficiency. Organic waste can be converted into compost or biogas, while dry waste like plastics and metals can be recycled. Hazardous waste requires special handling.
What are the challenges in India’s waste management system? The main challenges include:
How are Indian cities managing their waste currently? Cities employ a combination of decentralized and centralized approaches. Some metropolitan areas have waste-to-energy plants and composting units, while others still rely heavily on landfills.
What is the role of the Swachh Bharat Mission in waste management? This mission promotes door-to-door collection, 100% segregation, waste processing, and awareness campaigns, leading to cleaner public spaces and successful initiatives in cities like Indore and Ambaji.
What is a Material Recovery Facility (MRF)? An MRF is a specialized facility that receives, separates, and prepares recyclable materials for marketing, categorizing dry waste into paper, metals, plastics, and glass.
What are Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants and their limitations? WTE plants burn non-recyclable waste to generate electricity. Their efficiency relies on consistent waste quality, particularly low moisture and high calorific value, which is often compromised in India.
What are the environmental concerns linked to poor waste disposal? Issues include:
What are the economic opportunities in waste management? Waste processing supports circular economy goals. Compost from organic waste enhances soil health, while recyclables can be repurposed, generating large-scale employment by formalizing the informal waste sector.
How does Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) work? Under EPR, producers are responsible for managing post-consumer waste of their products, especially for plastic packaging, batteries, and e-waste, requiring companies to collect and recycle a certain percentage annually.
How is the informal sector involved in waste management? Waste pickers play a crucial role by collecting and sorting recyclables. Recognizing their contributions and integrating them into formal systems can improve efficiency and livelihoods while ensuring safer working conditions.
What are good global models India can learn from? Countries like Japan, Sweden, and South Korea offer valuable lessons through strict segregation rules, advanced WTE technology, and smart waste collection systems.
What are the most urgent reforms needed in India’s waste sector? Key reforms include:
Approach: Decentralized waste segregation and door-to-door collection. Achievements: Ranked India’s cleanest city for several years, with 100% source segregation and composting initiatives generating revenue.
Approach: Zero-waste model with community participation. Achievements: Transformed dumpsite into a public garden, supported by over 400 Self Help Groups for effective waste collection.
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