Tackling the waste problem

Source: The post is based on the article “Tackling the waste problem” published in the Business Standard on 15th June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Pollution

Relevance: About the Solid Waste Management.

News: A recent report by World Bank, “What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management”, stated that 2.9 billion people lived in metropolitan areas 10 years ago, producing 0.64 kg of Municipal solid waste (MSW) per person daily. However, around 3 billion people live in cities today, producing as much as 1.2 kg of municipal solid waste per person per day.

What is Solid Waste Management?

What are the key findings of the World Bank report on Solid Waste?

-Over 200 million metric tonnes of municipal waste are produced worldwide each year by the United States and China.

-Daily per capita waste generation in high-income nations is estimated to climb by 19% by 2050, while in low and middle-income countries it is projected to rise by around 40% or more.

-In terms of total waste production, the East Asia and Pacific region produces the most waste (23%), and West Asia and North Africa produce the least (6%).

-Currently, more than half of the waste is openly dumped in these areas.

Why solid waste management is essential?

Municipal waste management is not only paramount but a necessary function of city governance, especially in a post-pandemic world. This is because a) Poorly managed waste typically results in expenses that are higher in the long run than it would have been to manage the waste effectively in the first place, b) Poor waste management has a significant detrimental effect on health, the environment both locally and globally, and the economy, and c) Municipal waste plays a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions.

About India’s solid waste generation and management

According to the Task Force on Waste to Energy Report, 62 million tonnes of MSW waste are produced annually by 377 million people in India’s urban areas in 2017.

Residents of urban areas generate nearly twice as much waste as those in rural areas. The level of industrialisation, socialisation, and regional climate all impact MSW generation rates. Unsanitary, unscientific and poor disposal of solid waste could further result in environmental deterioration and health issues.

The lack of proactive governance mechanisms in cities to manage waste sustainably and the consumption patterns and behaviour of citizens will lead to tremendous amounts of waste generation.

What should be done to ensure better solid waste management in India?

Integrated strategy for waste management: It involves the planning, funding, construction, and operation of facilities for the segregation, collection, transportation, recycling, treatment, and final disposal of waste. This should be taken into consideration to manage the present issues of urban waste management.

Focus on sustainability: Urban local bodies should increase their operation and maintenance of solid waste management systems sustainably. This requires a) significant capital investment, b) the introduction of cutting-edge, cost-effective technologies, c) public-private partnerships in waste management, as well as d) the introduction of appropriate waste management practices.