Navigating the Waste Management Challenges in Delhi

Delhi’s Waste Management Crisis

The Supreme Court has brought attention to Delhi’s alarming daily generation of 3,800 tonnes of untreated solid waste, highlighting a serious violation of citizens’ right to a pollution-free environment.

Current Challenges

• Over 45% of Delhi’s municipal solid waste is currently dumped in landfills, resulting in severe environmental degradation and health risks.
• Legacy waste, which has accumulated over decades, poses a significant challenge for remediation efforts.

Lack of Segregation and Sustainable Practices

The city is failing to enforce waste segregation at the source, which hampers recovery, reuse, and recycling processes. Furthermore, there is a lack of integration of waste-pickers and waste-dealers into the formal waste management system. To address these issues, collaboration between state governments, self-help groups (SHGs), and other relevant stakeholders is essential.

Issues with Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Plant

• In Delhi’s Sukhdev Vihar area, approximately 2,000 tonnes of mixed waste are incinerated daily at the WTE plant.
• The plant has faced scrutiny due to its environmental impact and its location in a densely populated residential area, which raises concerns regarding emissions of PM2.5 and dioxins.
• Residents have voiced demands for the relocation of the plant, citing its disregard for the Delhi Master Plan, 2021, and the absence of a nearby landfill.

Fragmented Management

Waste management responsibilities in Delhi are split among various ministries. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is responsible for urban sanitation and cleanliness, while the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change oversees guidelines concerning plastic waste, construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and electronic waste (e-waste). This division results in a lack of cohesive strategy and hampers effective coordination.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban)

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban), managed by MoHUA, aims to foster cleaner cities but faces formidable challenges due to the fragmented nature of waste management oversight. While this initiative has focused on urban sanitation and cleanliness, it has not comprehensively addressed critical issues such as e-waste and construction waste.

Need for a Unified Approach

To tackle the waste crisis effectively, a holistic and integrated strategy is crucial. This requires consolidating efforts across ministries to create a unified framework for waste management. Collaboration with industry stakeholders and local communities is vital to develop innovative solutions and implement best practices. Partnerships for advanced technological solutions and standardized operating procedures for efficient waste management should be scaled up and backed by robust policy frameworks.

Addressing E-Waste

E-waste poses significant environmental and health risks; however, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) initiative does not adequately cover e-waste management. A coordinated approach with clear strategies and regulatory measures is urgently needed to mitigate these risks.

Call to Action

India’s waste crisis necessitates a concerted effort from all levels of government, private sector players, and civil society. By integrating efforts across ministries, fostering collaborations, and embracing technological advancements, India can progress towards a sustainable and circular waste economy. Unified efforts and cohesive strategies are essential to enforce regulations that prioritize environmental sustainability and public health.