Published Paper Details:

Solid waste management is a pressing global concern driven by urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. The judiciary plays a vital role in shaping effective solid waste management practices through policy direction, enforcement, and public awareness. This paper explores judicial trends in solid waste management by examining landmark cases and judicial pronouncements across various jurisdictions. Key cases, such as Almitra H. Patel vs. Union of India in India, City of Chicago v. Environmental Defense Fund in the United States, and European Commission vs. Italy, demonstrate the judiciary's impact on waste management policies and practices. Judicial principles like sustainable development and the polluter pays principle have been emphasized to ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Despite significant judicial interventions, challenges such as implementation issues, judicial overreach, and consistency in rulings persist. This paper highlights the critical role of judicial decisions in driving policy reforms, enforcement, and public advocacy in solid waste management, providing insights for future policy development and judicial action.