India’s waste management crisis, a threat as well as an opportunity.
India ranks 2nd in the world when it comes to waste generation in the globe. According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), more than 60% of waste that is generated in India is not treated in the right manner. Cities are struggling to handle waste at scale especially major cities like Delhi and Mumbai where waste generation has exceeding the handling capacity are facing adverse repercussions. This is a major challenge but also an opportunity for the state to act and create the right ecosystem and infrastructure to promote circular economy in turn positively impacting the overall state.
According to the annual report of the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB) for the year 2020–21, more than 50%
of the waste generated in India is either landfilled or remains
un-accounted which eventually is the cause of major environmental issues and challenges. This has led to the strengthening of the waste management
rules and development of campaigns such as the Swachh Bharat Mission
(SBM) in the last decade. The challenge clearly highlights the need of the right infrastructure. Local governments will require major amount of investments and efforts in putting up the right infrastructure for the management of waste that is generated in cities and regions on a regular basis. At the same time, this brings in an opportunity of paving the way for a circular economy. Waste that goes into the landfill becomes of no use but the same waste if segregated and treated well then can be of great value. This same ecosystem creation will not only help in building a circular economy but will also help in create jobs and opportunities for regions who take the initiative in these lines.
The types of waste generated across different cities in different regions of
India vary at several levels. The present scenario is such that the waste
management system in the country is highly unorganised and informal. To
address the diversity and complexity of the challenge, an appropriate waste
management infrastructure and technology is needed. There is a crucial
role of the private sector along with the government in building the right
infrastructure, developing and implementing new technologies to ensure
sustainable end disposal of waste.
If the right infrastructure is created and right empowerment is provided to the private sector, this can help in making a 3-way socio-economic and environmetal impact.
