solid waste management in India
India's solid waste crisis is undermining the nation's efforts to improve public health, protect
the environment and stop climate change. India produces a staggering amount of municipal solid
waste every day, and the rate of production is expected to climb steadily as the nation becomes
more populated, urbanized and economically developed.
In October 2000, the Government of India enacted rules for the management and handling of municipal solid waste (hereafter referred to as the rules). The rules prescribe a package of practices that emphasize recycling and composting to significantly reduce waste, with the objectives of improving public health, protecting the environment and easing the burden on landfills. The government directed the authorities of all localities to comply with the rules by December 2003. The government also appropriated funding through many grants and schemes for local bodies to construct new waste management facilities and purchase necessary equipment. However, as of 2010, most localities have not fully complied, with the result that indiscriminate littering and dumping pollute roadsides, street corners and waterways throughout the country.
Exnora Green Pammal is one of many groups working to bring localities into compliance with the government's Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules.
You can learn more about the government's rules, as well as solid waste management challenges and solutions by reading our recent performance review, Inspiring Progress , by viewing our videos and from the following websites:
Environmental Support Group Trust
Community Environmental Monitoring
Mrs. Almitra Patel
Toxics Link
Government of India's Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000
Government of India's Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
India Environment Portal
