SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. Context

The Supreme Court's recent criticism has highlighted a pressing issue in New Delhi: solid waste management. The city struggles with a significant amount, over 3,800 tonnes, of untreated solid waste. This poses a major threat to public health and the environment as the waste ends up in landfills.

2. Status of Solid Waste Management (SWM) System in Delhi

As of now, Delhi's solid waste management (SWM) system faces significant challenges. According to the 2011 Census, the population of New Delhi was approximately 1.7 crore, expected to reach around 2.32 crore in 2024.
With an average per capita waste generation of 0.6 kg/day, the city generates roughly 13,000 tonnes per day (TPD) of waste, equivalent to about 1,400 truckloads, totalling approximately 42 lakh tonnes annually.
With the projected population increase to 2.85 crore by 2031, waste generation could surge to 17,000 TPD.
About 90% of the waste generated in Delhi is collected by the three municipal corporations: the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Cantonment Board, and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Typically, 50-55% of the waste in Indian cities is biodegradable wet waste, 35% is non-biodegradable wet waste, and 10% is inert.
Consequently, Delhi generates around 7,000 TPD of wet waste, 4,800 TPD of dry waste, and 2,000 TPD of inert waste.

3. Solid Waste Management (SWM) Processing Capacity in Delhi

New Delhi operates waste-processing facilities at Okhla, Bhalswa, Narela, Bawana, Tehkhand, SMA Industrial Area, Nilothi, and Ghazipur. These facilities collectively possess a design capacity of approximately 9,200 TPD. This capacity encompasses composting facilities handling around 900-1,000 TPD and waste-to-energy projects capable of processing 8,200 TPD.
However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is currently disposing of 3,800 TPD of unprocessed waste in the three designated landfills: Gazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla. These landfills, filled with unprocessed wet and dry waste, emit methane gases, and leachates, and are prone to landfill fires, posing serious environmental hazards.
The accumulation of unprocessed waste in these landfills has resulted in a staggering 2.58 crore tonnes of legacy waste occupying over 200 acres of land. While the MCD initiated biomining efforts to reduce this waste in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted these endeavours. Originally slated for completion by 2024, this task now faces a delay of two to three years.
The environmental repercussions will persist until fresh waste is effectively and scientifically processed. With the ongoing accumulation of 3,800 TPD of unprocessed waste, the landfills will only continue to expand both in size and height.

4. Challenges Faced by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)

The MCD grapples with numerous challenges in managing waste within the city. One primary issue is the absence of waste segregation at its source. Many households and commercial establishments neglect this crucial step, leading to the disposal of unprocessed mixed waste into landfills.
Moreover, establishing waste processing plants necessitates substantial land parcels, approximately 30-40 acres each, which is a considerable challenge given Delhi's limited space. Consequently, a significant portion of waste remains untreated.
Another challenge lies in the lack of public awareness regarding proper waste management practices. This contributes to littering and improper disposal habits, diverting the MCD's resources towards clearing open points rather than focusing on processing wet waste.
Furthermore, irregular waste collection services in certain areas exacerbate waste accumulation and littering. Illegal dumping in open areas and water bodies further strains the municipal body, demanding additional resources for cleanup operations.
Lastly, a lack of coordination among various stakeholders, including multiple municipal corporations, results in inefficient waste management. This lack of collaboration complicates the MCD's efforts to effectively address the city's waste management challenges.

5. Efforts Needed for Waste Separation

To effectively manage the increasing daily waste in Delhi, efforts must focus on scaling up processing capacity in line with growing waste generation rates. Anticipating a rise in both population and per capita waste generation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) should devise a waste management plan capable of serving approximately three crore people, with the total design capacity of the city's waste processing facilities set at 18,000 TPD.
Biodegradable wet waste presents a significant portion of Delhi's waste stream and should be diverted from landfills through composting or biogas generation. Establishing a wet waste processing system with a design capacity of 9,000 tonnes is crucial. Typically, composting facilities handle around 500 tonnes per day, indicating the need for at least 18 composting or biogas plants to ensure all biodegradable wet waste is processed. This undertaking will require substantial efforts from the MCD to identify suitable land, establish composting facilities, and oversee their operations.
Regarding non-biodegradable dry waste, approximately 2% is recyclable and should be directed to recycling facilities. The remaining 33% consists of non-recyclable dry waste, known as refuse-derived fuel (RDF), comprising plastics, paper, and textile waste. RDF possesses a good calorific value and can be utilized to generate power in waste-to-energy projects.
Although waste-to-energy projects may entail slightly higher costs for power generation, the primary objective is to manage waste scientifically and alleviate environmental impacts, particularly those stemming from landfill fires. This strategic approach prioritizes sustainable waste management and environmental preservation.

6. Decentralization of Waste Processing

Given the challenges associated with identifying large land parcels in Delhi, collaboration with neighbouring states becomes essential for setting up composting plants. Moreover, there exists a market for organic compost produced from wet waste in states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the potential for cross-border partnerships.
Delhi, with its 272 wards, can draw inspiration from states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which have established decentralised Micro-Composting Centres (MCCs) at the ward level, each with a capacity of five TPD. These MCCs have the potential to manage approximately 20% of the city's wet waste. Similarly, Bengaluru has implemented ward-level Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) with a capacity of 2 TPD each, capable of handling about 10% of the dry waste.
To effectively manage waste, Delhi's SWM system should integrate decentralized options for both wet and dry waste. These initiatives should be complemented by larger processing facilities to ensure all generated waste undergoes scientific processing. The city must maximize the utilization of existing processing facilities while simultaneously constructing new ones to prevent any waste from remaining untreated.
Furthermore, urban local bodies should actively seek to learn from best practices implemented in other Indian cities and abroad regarding efficient SWM processing. By adopting such approaches, Delhi can enhance its waste management infrastructure and address its waste challenges more effectively.

7. Way Forward

By implementing the comprehensive strategies, Delhi can move towards a more sustainable waste management system. This will not only address the immediate challenges but also safeguard public health and the environment for the future.

For Prelims: Solid Waste Management, Environment Pollution

For Mains:

1. How can waste-to-energy plants contribute to sustainable waste management in India? Evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of this approach. (250 Words)

Previous Year Questions

1. In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2019)

(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998

(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999

(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

Answer: C

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Article

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

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