You will be shocked to know that India generates 62 million tonnes of waste annually. Out of this, only 43 million tonnes, i.e., about 70% of waste is collected. Furthermore, 12 million tonnes of waste undergo treatment while the remaining 31 million tonnes of waste find its way into the landfills. These are alarming numbers for sure, especially as we know about the high rate at which dumping grounds are overflowing with waste with no additional spaces now available to create new landfills.
Rising population, lack of education and awareness, untapped recycling infrastructure, and limited finance to explore the world of innovative waste management technologies are some of the key reasons responsible for the above. That said, we at the Tribhuvan College of Environment and Development Sciences, a renowned environmental science college in Delhi NCR, believe that change is important, which, to a great extent, can be met by bringing modern waste management strategies into play.
What’s Lacking in India’s Waste Management Strategies?
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Poor Segregation of Waste at Source:
One of the most underrated strategies in terms of waste management in India is active participation in waste segregation at source. This is something that has almost always been overlooked in India. Waste segregation is viewed as the responsibility of waste pickers. This is where sensitization drives need to be initiated by authorities in order to inform the masses about the different types of waste, namely dry waste, wet waste, e-waste, and hazardous waste so that people at large can get involved in waste segregation right at the source. Once the difference is understood, segregation shall become easier, eventually leading to improved recyclability and treatment.
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Untapped WTE Initiatives:
At the Tribhuvan College of Environment and Development Sciences, we have participated in multiple awareness programs with the objective of drawing people’s attention away from non-renewable sources of energy.
What many people do not know is that there is untapped power in WTE that is Waste to Energy initiatives. The objective here is to utilize non-recyclable waste and convert it into energy. Let us not forget the add-ons here namely reduced pressure on the landfills, and, of course, steps in the direction of sustainable energy production, making this a vital waste management strategy for India.
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Lack of Intelligent Management of Organic Waste:
India’s Waste Management Strategies so far have failed to see organic waste as an independent component that can be tackled in a different manner. This is the change we seek. The improved and improvised strategies in this regard need to revolve around using the best of community-level composting in order to manage organic waste.
The goal should be to introduce more decentralized composting initiatives, especially at household levels, which will not just help in the creation of nutrient-rich soil but at the same time, reduce the waste content and excess pressure on the landfills.
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Narrow Attention on Recycling:
If there is one thing we at the Tribhuvan College of Environment and Development Sciences would like every individual to understand through this blog post, it is the need for increased attention and support to recycling.
Recycling strategies are currently at their preliminary stage in India because, first, people do not know which materials can be recycled, and second, they are unaware of where this process can be initiated.
This is where India’s waste management strategies need to focus on increased education related to recycling while offering the said industry the necessary support and incentives to full-heartedly be the face of change. This should also include proactive steps on the part of the authorities to infuse recycling infrastructure into the system.
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Mediocre Technologies and Innovation:
In order to upgrade the way in which we function with respect to tackling the rising problem of waste, it is vital that innovation continues to remain in play while mediocre technologies are substituted with their high-quality counterparts.
Unfortunately, this is something India’s current waste management strategies have been unsuccessful in fulfilling. This is where change needs to be introduced by giving a boost to innovation in the waste management arena. This can be done by altering strategies to support innovation in the form of guidance and monetary incentives, which can come together to build sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
On the technology front, strategies can be modified to develop and introduce smart technologies, which function basis the IoT sensors to guide waste collection, monitor landfill capacities, and improve the overall efficiency of the waste management chain.
India Stands Together Against WASTE:
In this blog post today, we at the Tribhuvan College of Environment and Development Sciences, a well-known environmental science college in Delhi NCR, have attempted to highlight areas in which India’s waste management strategies need to be altered in order to fight the bigger problem.
Amidst this, it is important to note that this goal is only attainable when we as a nation come together, join hands, and work towards smart tackling of waste. There is a lot we can do at an individual level too, be it saying no to disposable items, turning to sustainable foods, and even reducing food and water waste for that matter. This shall only support India’s Waste Management Strategies 2.0.