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Why Waste Management Needs a Revolution in India.pdf
1. Why Waste Management
Needs a Revolution in India
India, a country with a thriving culture and extensive history, is
facing an increasing problem with garbage management. Waste
generation is approaching critical levels due to increased
urbanisation and an ever-growing population. The existing system
is having trouble keeping up because of its many inefficiencies and
antiquated procedures. Not only is a revolution in waste
management required, but it is also a national obligation.
2. The Imminent Crisis: Increasing Waste Mountains
Over 62 million tonnes of rubbish are produced in India each year,
which is astounding [source: Central Pollution Control Board]. This
corresponds to about 400 grams per person every day, and this
amount is expected to increase.
The improper source segmentation exacerbates the problem. Waste
that is both biodegradable and non-biodegradable is frequently
combined, which makes processing and disposal challenging. When
this mixed garbage is dumped in landfills, it contaminates the water
and soil, harming the ecosystem. Another common practice is the
open burning of rubbish, which releases dangerous toxins into the
atmosphere, harming human health and accelerating climate
change.
A closer look at the issues ailing India’s waste management
system is provided below:
3. Inadequate Collection and Transportation: Particularly in
peri-urban areas, inadequate infrastructure and labor force result in
partial garbage collection. As a result, trash heaps deteriorate,
drawing pests that spread disease and resulting in unhygienic
circumstances.
Absence of Processing and Treatment Facilities: India is
devoid of a strong network of waste-to-energy, recycling, and
composting facilities. As a result, there is a significant reliance on
landfills, which are rapidly filling up.
Informal Waste Pickers: Although they are essential to the
waste collection process, informal waste pickers frequently operate
in hazardous environments and are not provided with protective
gear or health benefits.
Beyond Landfills: An Ideation for an India Sensible
to Waste
4. A significant change is required in India’s waste management
situation. From garbage generation to disposal, we want a
transformation that places a premium on a comprehensive strategy.
Some salient features of this revolution are as follows:
Source Segregation: It’s critical to teach businesses and people
how to properly separate their trash. The effectiveness of waste
management can be greatly increased by using a two-bin system at
the source that separates biodegradable and non-biodegradable
waste.
Decentralized Processing: You can speed processing and save
money on transportation by placing smaller processing units closer
to the locations where trash is generated. Reliance on landfills can
be reduced by using composting facilities for biodegradable trash
and waste-to-energy plants for non-biodegradable garbage.
Giving Informal Waste Pickers More influence: Giving
informal waste pickers more influence inside the official system can
5. enhance their living and working situations. Enabling them with
social security, equipment, and training can help build a waste
management ecosystem that is more sustainable and effective.
Producer Responsibility: Manufacturers might be encouraged
to design items that are simpler to recycle or reuse by enacting
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. By doing this, the
initial waste generation can be greatly decreased.
Public Participation and Awareness: It is essential to educate
the public about the value of recycling, reuse, and trash reduction.
Community projects and educational efforts can motivate people to
participate in ethical waste management techniques.
Technology as a Change-Catalyst
Technology has the potential to significantly transform waste
management in India. Here are a few encouraging paths:
6. Smart Bins: By optimizing collection routes and monitoring waste
levels, sensor-based bins can ensure effective waste pickup.
Apps for trash management: Mobile applications can help
residents exchange recyclable products, learn more about waste
segregation, and connect with waste collection agencies.
Blockchain Technology: By tracking garbage from its origin to
its disposal, blockchain technology helps to maintain accountability
and transparency in the waste management system.
A Revolution with Benefits Beyond Waste
A successful waste management revolution in India will not
just address the growing waste crisis, but will also unlock a
multitude of benefits:
Environmental Sustainability: Proper waste management will
reduce pollution, conserve land resources, and contribute to a
cleaner and healthier environment.
7. Public Health Improvement: Effective waste management will
lead to cleaner surroundings, reducing the spread of diseases and
improving overall public health.
Economic Opportunities: A robust waste management system
can create new job opportunities in the waste collection, processing,
and recycling sectors.
Resource Recovery: Recycling and composting can turn waste
into valuable resources, reducing dependence on virgin materials
and promoting a circular economy.
In summary, a joint endeavor towards a sustainable future
India has to revolutionize garbage management, and this will
require cooperation from the public sector, private sector, and
citizens. India may make progress toward a more sustainable future
in which trash is utilized as a resource rather than a burden by
putting the above-mentioned solutions into practice. Let’s seize this
8. opportunity to create a more prosperous, healthier, and clean India
for future generations.