Solid Waste Management Practices in Indian Municipalities Policy Gaps and Governance Challenges

Dr. C. ESTHER BUVANA, MA. M.Phil., Ph.D., , P. M. VINOD KUMAR

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, Urban Governance, Waste Segregation, Informal Waste Workers, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Decentralized Waste Management, Waste Policy Implementation, Environmental Sustainability, Urban Infrastructure, Solid Waste Policy, Circular Economy, Waste Processing, Public Health, India.

India stands at a critical juncture in its urban development trajectory, with its cities experiencing unprecedented demographic, spatial, and economic growth. One of the most pressing consequences of this urbanization is the dramatic increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. As of 2025, India generates over 150,000 tonnes of MSW per day, and this number is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, fuelled by rising population, increased consumption, and changing lifestyles. The implications of this surge are profound--both in terms of environmental sustainability and the resilience of urban governance systems. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, were a landmark step in India's policy landscape, aiming to address long-standing inefficiencies in urban waste management. These rules introduced several progressive reforms, including the promotion of source segregation, the recognition of informal waste workers, the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and the emphasis on scientific waste processing. Despite this forward-thinking regulatory framework, the on-ground realities remain far from ideal. Recognizing these challenges, the Government of India introduced the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, under the umbrella of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. These rules marked a significant policy shift by expanding the scope of responsibilities to include not only municipal authorities but also citizens, institutions, and private sector actors. Key mandates include segregation of waste at source, scientific processing, formalization of informal waste workers, and closure of existing landfills. The rules also support decentralized waste management and encourage municipalities to recover value from waste through composting, recycling, and energy generation. A vast number of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) continue to struggle with the basic tasks of waste collection, segregation, transportation, and disposal. Even in major metropolitan cities, unsegregated waste is often dumped into poorly managed landfills or open dumps, leading to severe public health risks, air and water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. In smaller towns and peri-urban areas, waste management infrastructure is either completely absent or grossly underdeveloped. These inconsistencies point towards a larger, systemic issue: the governance and policy implementation gap. This paper presents a critical examination of the current solid waste management practices in Indian municipalities, highlighting the multifaceted challenges that hinder the transition towards a more sustainable and efficient urban waste management ecosystem. Using a qualitative methodology that combines analysis of government documents, policy frameworks, implementation reports, and case studies from diverse Indian cities, this study identifies policy gaps, structural weaknesses, and governance failures as core issues.

Volume 13 Issue 8, August-2025

Pages : f714-f720