Implementing Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems in India: Moving Towards the Regional Approach

This document is intended for decisionmakers who are concerned with reducing the pollution and health hazards that are caused by the uncontrolled disposal of thousands of tons of waste each day in open dumps. It will also helpful for decisionmakers who are concerned with urban governance and urban management. While it does contain some technical informarion, the messages can be easily understood by those with an interest in municipal issues but no formal training in scientific or technical disciplines. The challenges of safe disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) were deliberated on at two workshops held in January 2007, under the auspices of the Ministry of Urban Development with the participation of a wide range of experts and practitioners, and the support of Water and Sanitation Program-South Asia (of the World Bank).

This document echoes the opinions expressed in these workshops. Information provided by the participants touched upon many critical issues. The speakers presented views and experiences from state, national, and international levels. In particular, N.C. Vasuki drew on experiences from Delaware in the United States as well as his extensive knowledge of the issue in the Indian context. Adrian Coad also provided inputs from global experiences on implementing sanitary landfills.

This report proposes some recommendations for an approach that can meet the basic and essential objective of minimizing risks to public health and to the environment. This approach provides a way for solid residues from all towns and cities to be disposed of in an engineered disposal facility at a cost taht is affordable.

This publication answers questions such as; to what extent are current solid waste management practices in India threatening our health and environment , What are the reasons for the current state of affairs , What are teh strengths and weaknesses of current strategies for disposing solid waste , and what are the economically and environmentally sustainable options for disposing waste from both large and small communities    

Contents:

Introduction

Objectives and Prioroties

Where are We Now

The Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules and Their Impact

What has Been Happening to Our Processing Plants

Obstacles to Safe and Sanitary Disposal

Sanitary Landfilling

Key Principles

Emphasis on Operations

The Regional Approach

What is a ’Regional Approach’

Why is a Regional Approach Appropriate

Challenges Associated with Regional Landfilling

What are the Arrangements

Realizing Regional Disposal

Sustaining a Rrgional Disposal System

Involving the Private Sector

How Does It All Fit Together

Chronological Planning

Institutional Structures

Financial Systems

Operational Procedures

Recommendations

Clarify Requirements and Objectives of MSW Rules

Develop Capacity

Enhance Knowledge Management

Inform, Involve, and Motivate Citizens

Ensure Financial Sustainability

Conclusions

Appendixes:
Appendixes A: Information about Workshops, and Presenters and Resource Persons
Appendixes B: Definitions and Data Notes