109
in the urban centres are often attributed to the poor financial status of the managing
ULBs. Funds for SWM in India are typically assigned as part of the annual municipal general budget. Moreover, the rules regarding SWM have not pushed for decentralized management of waste but have encouraged centralized treatment such as
waste-to-energy, the present state of which is not good in the country. Also, the
informal sector has been considerably neglected in the new rules. Apart from the
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), there has been no
national level effort required to address the problem. Even though JNNURM was
phenomenal in stimulating the industry and local governments, it is not enough to
address this gigantic problem. This is because JNNURM is not a long-term financing programme. In the regional context, especially in the northern states, there is
lack of skills and awareness of the need to adopt proper MSWM services, resulting
in the inadequate allocation of financial and human resources by the public authorities and a general public apathy, and therefore, the existing scenario of MSWM has
become quite disordered. Finally, lack of proper database regarding quality and
quantity of waste at micro- as well as macro-level also creates difficulty to undertake proper management policy. Although waste management is under negligence,
in general, the good thing is that in different parts of India, ULBs have started to
recycle and process SWM to reach zero waste city tag. Increased attention has been
given in recent years to handle this problem in a safe and hygienic manner. In this
regard, government’s initiative of the smart city is highly appreciable as sustainable
waste management is a core element for smart urban planning by retrofitting new
technologies into existing waste management structures. Following recommendations which are based on successful case studies from different Indian urban areas
could solve or minimize the problems associated with SWM:
• The serious problem of garbage management is not about finding the right technology for waste disposal. The problem is how to integrate the technology with
a system of household level segregation so that waste does not end up in landfills,
but is processed and reused (Narain 2016; Rana et al. 2015). It is clear that there
will be no value from waste, as energy or material, if it is not segregated. But this
is where waste management system stops short. Therefore, segregation at source
should be at the heart of municipalities’ solid waste management system. For this
segregation of waste should be made mandatory at ground level for all the residents with the levy of user charges. At the same time there may be a tax rebate
for those who have onsite waste disposal facilities.
• Community participation in waste management activities is critical for ensuring
a well-functioning collection system. Involvement of the community in the primary collection system, specifically in determining the timings for waste collection, is important for the effective planning and implementation of the primary
waste collection system. Community initiatives need to be inclusive (Agarwal
et al. 2015; Chakrabarti et al. 2009). Active engagement of men, women, youth
and children should be given equal importance. Separate group discussions,
involvement of community leaders, community associations, SHGs and local
5 Environmental Pollution and Municipal Solid Waste Management in India
in the urban centres are often attributed to the poor financial status of the managing
ULBs. Funds for SWM in India are typically assigned as part of the annual municipal general budget. Moreover, the rules regarding SWM have not pushed for decentralized management of waste but have encouraged centralized treatment such as
waste-to-energy, the present state of which is not good in the country. Also, the
informal sector has been considerably neglected in the new rules. Apart from the
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), there has been no
national level effort required to address the problem. Even though JNNURM was
phenomenal in stimulating the industry and local governments, it is not enough to
address this gigantic problem. This is because JNNURM is not a long-term financing programme. In the regional context, especially in the northern states, there is
lack of skills and awareness of the need to adopt proper MSWM services, resulting
in the inadequate allocation of financial and human resources by the public authorities and a general public apathy, and therefore, the existing scenario of MSWM has
become quite disordered. Finally, lack of proper database regarding quality and
quantity of waste at micro- as well as macro-level also creates difficulty to undertake proper management policy. Although waste management is under negligence,
in general, the good thing is that in different parts of India, ULBs have started to
recycle and process SWM to reach zero waste city tag. Increased attention has been
given in recent years to handle this problem in a safe and hygienic manner. In this
regard, government’s initiative of the smart city is highly appreciable as sustainable
waste management is a core element for smart urban planning by retrofitting new
technologies into existing waste management structures. Following recommendations which are based on successful case studies from different Indian urban areas
could solve or minimize the problems associated with SWM:
• The serious problem of garbage management is not about finding the right technology for waste disposal. The problem is how to integrate the technology with
a system of household level segregation so that waste does not end up in landfills,
but is processed and reused (Narain 2016; Rana et al. 2015). It is clear that there
will be no value from waste, as energy or material, if it is not segregated. But this
is where waste management system stops short. Therefore, segregation at source
should be at the heart of municipalities’ solid waste management system. For this
segregation of waste should be made mandatory at ground level for all the residents with the levy of user charges. At the same time there may be a tax rebate
for those who have onsite waste disposal facilities.
• Community participation in waste management activities is critical for ensuring
a well-functioning collection system. Involvement of the community in the primary collection system, specifically in determining the timings for waste collection, is important for the effective planning and implementation of the primary
waste collection system. Community initiatives need to be inclusive (Agarwal
et al. 2015; Chakrabarti et al. 2009). Active engagement of men, women, youth
and children should be given equal importance. Separate group discussions,
involvement of community leaders, community associations, SHGs and local
5 Environmental Pollution and Municipal Solid Waste Management in India