In 2016, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) introduced the new Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016, replacing the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000. This revision aimed to expand waste management regulations beyond municipal areas to encompass urban agglomerations, census towns, areas under Indian Railways, airports, air bases, ports, harbors, defense establishments, special economic zones, pilgrimage sites, and more. The primary objective was to address the substantial increase in solid waste generation across the country.
What is Solid Waste ?
Solid Waste, as defined by the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016, includes various types of waste such as solid or semi-solid domestic waste, sanitary waste, commercial waste, institutional waste, catering and market waste, non-residential waste, street sweepings, surface drain silt, horticultural waste, agricultural and dairy waste, and treated bio-medical waste.
In India, municipal areas generate a daily average of over 1.60 lakh (1,60,038.9) tonnes of solid waste, as per the 2020-21 annual report on SWM Rules implementation by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Approximately 95% of this waste is collected, with 52.3% undergoing treatment and 19.2% sent to landfills. However, 31.7% (50,655.4 TPD) remains improperly disposed of.
Solid-Generated Waste in India
Maharashtra leads in solid waste generation at 22,632.71 TPD, followed by Uttar Pradesh (14,710 TPD) and West Bengal (13,709 TPD). Lakshadweep has the lowest waste generation at 35 TPD, possibly due to its smaller population, followed by Sikkim (71.9 TPD) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (89 TPD). Chhattisgarh stands out as the only state that collects and treats all of its generated waste, with none sent to landfills.
Over the past six years, India has witnessed trends in solid waste management, with per capita solid waste generation fluctuating but ultimately remaining steady at 119.07 gm/day in 2020-21. There has been a notable increase in solid waste processing, rising from 19% in 2015-16 to 49.96% in 2020-21. Additionally, the percentage of waste sent to landfills has decreased from 54% in 2015-16 to 18.4% in 2020-21.
Managing Waste: A Comparison of Sanitary Landfills and Dumpsites in India
In terms of waste disposal methods, India distinguishes between “sanitary landfills” and “dumpsites.” Sanitary landfills are designed to ensure the safe disposal of residual solid and inert waste, preventing pollution of groundwater, surface water, and the air. Presently, India has identified 1,924 sites for landfill, with 305 constructed, 126 under construction, 341 in operation, 17 exhausted, and 11 capped. The states with the most active landfill sites are Maharashtra (137), Karnataka (52), and Uttar Pradesh (86).
On the other hand, dumpsites are temporary solutions for waste disposal without following sanitary landfill principles. India currently has 3,184 dumpsites, with 234 reclaimed and eight converted into landfills. These conversions occurred in Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, and Chandigarh.