Waste Management Strategies for Mini Metro Cities

Abstract

Urban Solid Waste Management has become an important component of urban development. Various approaches have been developed all over the world for proper waste management and disposal. These include government schemes, NGO activities, private initiatives, community-based organizations, household initiatives and technological advancements. Similar solutions are seen in India, yet there are large tracts of land filled with waste in many parts of the country. This paper attempts to understand what goes wrong in these initiatives and schemes, and what could be done to improve them. Several reviews and reports were consulted to understand the situation in India. The city of Pune was surveyed to comprehend the ground reality. Stakeholders, such as the municipal authorities, private companies providing their services, and nonprofit organizations were interviewed. On the other hand, worldwide initiatives were studied from reports and reviews. The situation in India was compared to the worldwide scenario, and problems and loopholes were identified in the Indian context. From this assessment, possible, implementable solutions were conceived to improve the Indian scenario. It was found that the SWM in India fails due to in organization and non-cooperation among stakeholders, problems in implementation, and blind adaptation of foreign technology. The waste composition being different in India, it should be taken into consideration before adapting the technologies. Recycling should improve, and all stakeholders should be involved. The solutions suggested are inter-related; improving one could improve the rest, thus leading to a better managed waste management system in India.