Domestic hazardous waste: Toxic ignorance: Most Indian cities way off segregating domestic hazardous waste

News: In the absence of a robust framework and infrastructure, segregation of domestic hazardous waste remains a distant dream for most Indian cities

What are the concerns associated with handling domestic hazardous waste?

No proper disposal: Harmful chemicals like sanitisers, power bulbs have become the norm. And often people don’t exercise care while disposing of them. These, though in small quantities, they pile up in landfills and dumping grounds. The legal framework for the disposal of domestic hazardous waste is non-existent.

No proper monitoring: As per census 2011, India has 8,000 towns, but there are no official estimates of domestic hazardous waste. In 2020, IIT Delhi and Bombay analyzed eight dump sites across major metros and found significant levels of toxic heavy metals and persistent organic contaminants like pesticides in them. But, still, no proper monitoring, how much harmful waste is dumped there.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the dangers of inadequate disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

Absence in the government rules: Domestic hazardous waste is not mentioned in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The rules even left out cigarette butts even though they contain traces of heavy metals and other chemicals. Also, the norms of segregating the waste into wet, dry, and domestic hazardous categories are not properly followed. (Apart from Indore, which follows the norms).

Not enough disposal facilities: A disposal facility should have engineered landfills that stop the percolation of toxic leachate into the ground. According to Handbook on Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management and Handling in India, there are only 45 of these facilities. At least 18 states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Bihar, and Assam, do not have safe disposal facilities. Other states, like Punjab and Haryana, have one facility for the entire state.

What should be the way forward for the safe handling of domestic hazardous waste?

India should consider including hazardous waste under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). India currently has an EPR policy only for plastic products and electronic and electrical equipment. It should learn from countries like Canada, where domestic hazardous waste has been under EPR since the 1990s.

Source: This post is based on the article “Toxic ignorance: Most Indian cities way off segregating domestic hazardous waste” published in the Down To Earth on 18th January 2022.