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European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 05

May 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 1576

Solid Waste Management in India – Planning, Evolution and Technologies

KARNAN. P

PG Student

PRIST (Deemed to be University), THANJAVUR.

Abstract - Being a developing nation, rapid increase in urbanization, industrialization, population

explosion and per capita income lead to generate more municipal solid waste. Inorganic waste includes E-waste and

plastic wastes also contribute to total waste stream significantly. These wastes may cause hazard to health humans

and environment. In India, unscientific way of approach is followed towards Solid waste management. Collection

efficiency of solid wastes in Indian cities is about 70 to 95%. Major portion of solid waste is disposed off by

dumping indiscriminately on outskirts of cities without any treatment. This may lead to spoil groundwater and

increase air pollution. Recent reports reveal that out of total solid waste, nearly 75% can be used as such in different

place or by recycling. Waste segregation in improper way and other factors affect recycling sector and managed by

obsolete technology. Also, plastics and paper recycling have been especially growing due to consumption of both

the commodities in large extend. This paper describes about current status of municipal solid waste management in

different parts of India and consisting of a collective, scientific, systematic to improve implementation of legal

frameworks, technological frameworks, financial provisions, operations management, public participation and

awareness of integrated solid waste management systems.

Keywords: Solid waste, waste generation, segregation, reuse, recycle, disposal, landfill, municipal solid waste

management, management system.

India, the second country is having largest population in the world after China with more

than 1.27 billion population contributing 17.6% of world’s total population. Population is

increasing in urban areas day by day since independence due to industrialization which also

contribute to urbanization. Migration of large number of people is from villages to cities for

better opportunities. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with 7.60% GDP.

It is projected that by 2030 India will be growing with GDP of 10%. Higher GDP will result into

better living standards. Over-population, rapid industrialization, uncontrolled urbanization and

improved living standards thereby lead to increased rate waste generation.

At present, 0.14 million tons per day of municipal solid waste is being generated due to

various domestic, commercial and institutional activities. Solid wastes such as municipal waste

and certain industrial waste have comparatively significant impact on environment. A substantial

amount of these wastes is extremely dangerous to the living organisms including human beings.

It may reduce groundwater quality by leachate percolation and also cause air pollution by

emission of greenhouse gases through various treatment processes. Nowadays, inorganic wastes

include e-waste and nuclear wastes are other waste streams which are requiring attention due to

fastest growing electronics and nuclear sector. To overcome this problem, effective solid waste

management system must be followed and implemented. The objectives of solid waste

management system are to control, collect, and process, utilize and dispose of solid wastes in

such an economical way which protects human health and natural environment. In 1989, in this

regard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) adopted hierarchy of waste

management practices, viz: Reduction at source, reuse, recycling, combustion and landfill.