Future Perspective for Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in India: A Review

Abstract

Presently urban areas are reported for supporting 56% of the total world population, accountable for generating significant amount of municipal solid waste (MSW). Seventy percent of which ends into landfills, 19% is recycled and 11% is employed for energy generation. Generation of municipal solid waste in India is increasing day by day. The average per capita generation of waste was about 500 g/day in 2007 and it will increase to 925 g/day by 2047. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of the key components of India’s prominent mission ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’. Rising urbanization, faster economic growth and lifestyle changes all contribute to higher waste generation in India. Unscientific treatment, improper collection and low use of technology based solutions for handling MSW lead to hazards like environmental degradation, water pollution, air pollution and soil pollution. The most important step to be used for management of this waste would be minimising its generation but this is not really possible. Then to manage waste sustainably, the waste to wealth route remains a viable solution although in India it is not common practice. Maximum recycling, composting with organic municipal solid waste and waste to energy generation should be utilised for MSW management. This approach of sustainable waste management can solve the problem of land required for waste disposal and resulting pollution problems of air, ground, surface water, soil etc.