Highlights
- Non-segregation of wastes is a hurdle to poor solid waste management
- 62 million tonnes of solid waste is produced in the country every year
- This figure is expected to rise to 436 million tonnes by 2050
New Delhi: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in a step towards “environmental aesthetic value”, has proposed guidelines on the management and control of solid municipal waste. The CPCB has invited comments from stakeholders on its guidelines till April 10. “In the Indian scenario, it has been taken as granted that the resident in and around the municipal solid waste site are supposed to live within an odorous environment,” the CPCB pointed out last month.
It adds to lack of awareness, regulation and mismanagement of municipal solid waste and inappropriate site selection as the reason of gross inconvenience caused.
About 62 million tonnes of solid waste is produced in the country every year — of which only 43 million tonnes is collected, only 12 million tonnes treated and the rest dumped.
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This figure is expected to rise to 436 million tonnes by 2050. Around 4.5 million tonnes is hazardous waste that includes bio-medical waste. Three million tonnes in plastic and 3.2 million tonnes of e-waste is generated annually in India.
Non-segregation of the type of wastes is another hurdle ahead of the poor solid waste management.
No segregation of the solid waste in biodegradable, non-biodegradable and inert waste is done at site or by generator, inadequate area, and inadequate collection by the local bodies, listed CPCB as some of the shortcomings crating huge landfill sites.
CPCB suggested building a green boundary around the landfill sites with suitable species of plants and trees as natural media for reduction of odour pollution and restriction of odour in and around landfill sites.
The problem in existing landfill site is the encroachment of the site in and around by new development and residential areas in absence of guideline for proper definition of buffer zone, CPCB states.
Also Read: Waste Management: How India Is Drowning In Garbage
