India generates over 62 million tons of waste each year, collecting less than 60% and only 20% of treatment. With the acceleration of urbanization, it will be moved to cities every year, adopting an urban lifestyle that significantly increases waste production. This trend creates a shocking heritage of waste – land fills in the invasion of urban borders and makes a large amount of land uninhabitable. Today, India has over 3,000 traditional waste dumps, and forecasts suggest that municipal solid waste could reach an astonishing 165 million tons by 2030.
The Crisis of Legacy Waste: More and More Challenges
According to an estimate by the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD), Delhi alone fights three towering dumps (Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla) and generates over 11,000 tons of solid waste every day. Nearly 6,400 tons of this waste ended up in the city’s heavily burdened landfill. Despite several government initiatives, waste continues to accumulate and eventually, the height of these landfills continues to grow. For example, the Ghazipur landfill, which operates since 1984, is now 65 meters tall. Attempts to remedy these sites failed to a large extent due to the addition of fresh waste at the same time.
The environmental and health impacts of these landfills are severe. Huge fires caused by methane emissions are common, causing air pollution. Residents living near these dumps reported higher rates of respiratory illness, skin allergies and water contamination. Research by organizations such as the Indian Heart Care Foundation shows that air quality near these locations contains dangerous levels of PM2.5 and PM10, which makes it difficult for residents to live a healthy life.
Waste to energy: Potential game-changing
Globally, waste-to-energy (WTE) technology has become a promising solution to the twin problems of waste disposal and energy generation. By converting non-recycled waste into electricity, heat or fuel, WTE plants reduce the amount of waste and help reduce environmental pollution when unlocking the land. Recent reports suggest that India can generate 65 GW of energy from waste each year.
India has taken initial steps to adopt WTE technology. Delhi currently operates four WTE plants, processing about 4,500 tons of waste per day. However, the scale of operation remains insufficient compared to the total waste generated. Experts suggest that expanding WTE plants can help address new waste management and old-style waste repairs.
Implementation challenges
While the potential of WTE is undeniable, some challenges have hindered its widespread adoption in India. Building a WTE plant requires substantial financial investment, and the technology requires regular maintenance and skilled manpower. Furthermore, unlike developed countries, Indian waste has a high organic and moisture content, which reduces its caloric value and makes it unsuitable for combustion-based WTE technology. Additionally, WTE plants (even if not operated with strict controls) can emit harmful contaminants, including dioxins and Furans, thereby enhancing environmental and health problems.
Socio-economic factors also play a crucial role. Thousands of harlequins rely on landfill livelihoods. Any measures towards mechanized waste disposal need to explain its recovery and alternative employment opportunities.
The way forward: a multi-pronged approach
An holistic approach that combines WTE technology with other waste management strategies is crucial to effectively responding to the legacy waste crisis. Proper waste separation at home level can significantly improve the efficiency of WTE plants. Organic waste can produce bio-CNG against biomethylated plants, while non-recyclable waste can be plant fuel.
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Given the high organic content in Indian waste, investment bio-methylation provides a viable solution for the treatment of wet waste. Cities like Indore have successfully implemented dispersed biomethylated units that can serve as a model for other urban centers.
Upgrading existing landfills by scientifically closing and installing leachate treatment systems can prevent further environmental degradation. Meanwhile, bioremediation technology can help restore land and reduce the height of landfills.
Encouraging private sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPPs) can lead to much-needed investments and technical expertise. Successful PPP models in countries such as Sweden and Singapore show how collaboration can drive sustainable waste management. In addition, promoting recycling and compost at the community level can reduce the burden on landfills. Policies that incentivize waste reduction, reuse and recycling can create a more sustainable ecosystem.
Turn crisis into opportunity
The heritage waste crisis in India presents a huge challenge, but it also provides an opportunity to rethink and revolutionize waste management practices. By leveraging WTE technology and adopting comprehensive waste isolation, processing and disposal methods, India can convert its waste into a source of energy and economic value.
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Cities like Delhi can lead by setting ambitious goals for landfill repairs and new waste disposal. With the right policy framework, technological innovation and community engagement, the vision of Green India can become a reality. As the sentence passes, there is a place of wasted, and there is potential – it’s time to take advantage of it.
The author is Managing Director of Luthra Group, a waste recycling and management company.
