Need For 'Waste Management Council' For India

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With the ever growing population and the basic need of fulfilling the promise of ‘ease of living’ and ‘living healthy’ for all Indians, it is imperative that the waste that we create is managed properly.

India is on the path of development, the buying power of the commoner is increasing and with this the consumption of everything is bound to increase. This will also result in the increase of waste that will be generated.

The waste can be domestic, construction, medical, green(plants), industrial, e-waste or whatever.

By managing the waste, in a need based manner, the country will not only save tremendously in its natural resources, which are not going to last forever, but also create an environment friendly atmosphere for all.

Going through the information provided by PIB in 2016, the waste composition of India includes 38 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Organic waste, 22 MMT of Recyclables and 9 MMT of Hazardous. This estimated will be much more today.

According to an article in Hindu Business Line, by 2030 India will be producing 165 MMT of municipal solid waste, which is likely to increase to 450 MMT by 2045.

THE COUNTRY CANNOT AFFORD TO WASTE THIS WASTE

In the same article of Hindu Business Line, it talks of a CPCB report which said that in 2014-15 91% of the solid waste created was collected. Out of this only 27% was treated and the remaining was dumped at dump sites. A recent study indicated that India would need a landfill of 88 sq km, to dump its waste by 2030.

Then, the recycling rates in India are very low, much below the international benchmarks - for packaging paper it is 27%, for plastics 60%, for metals just 20-25%. In Scandinavian countries, the average recycling rates have reached 90%.

Innovative ideas have to come
to use the waste
to extract precious material from the waste
for its disposal in hygienic eco-friendly manner.

WHAT WILL BE THE MANDATE OF THE PROPOSED COUNCIL

The Council will pursue the 3Rs
Recycle
Reduce
Reuse

The Council will ensure that recyclable waste does not end up in a dump yard.

It will set up a R&D Centre.

It will set up sub-branches in educational institutes to throw challenges for innovation and idea generation.

It will ensure citizen participation and engagement.

It will guide the industry to ensure manufacture of quality products to last longer, resulting in its delayed disposal as waste.

SERVICES WHICH SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL

Motivate and guide innovators to develop best practices within the country.

Provide guidance to implement approved practices on ground.

Institute awards at different levels to encourage innovation and to encourage implementation.

Promote global co-operation.

Organise seminars, workshops, exhibitions and publish subject reports for information dissemination.

WHO SHOULD CONSTITUTE THE PROPOSED COUNCIL

Representatives from:
PMO
Niti Aayog
Swachhata Mission
CSIR
Industry body
NGT

and from the ministries of:
Environment
Renewable Energy
Health
Industries
MSME
Urban
HRD