Author Archives: Alok Gogate

Solid waste management in India is a major challenge due to the large and rapidly growing population, urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure. To finance and sustain solid waste management services, city administrators in India can adopt different financial and revenue models.

Some of the common financial and revenue streams in solid waste management in India are:

User fee model:

In this model, the city administration charges a fee from households and businesses for the solid waste management services provided to them. The fee can be fixed or variable based on the quantity of waste generated by the households or businesses. The user fee model can provide a sustainable revenue stream for solid waste management services and encourage households and businesses to reduce their waste generation.

Example of cities using the user fee model in India:

• Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) collects user fees for solid waste management from all households, apartments, and commercial establishments within its jurisdiction. The fees are collected based on the type of waste generated and the size of the property.
• Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) charges a user fee for solid waste management to all households and commercial establishments. The fee is based on the type of waste generated and the quantity of waste produced.

Open market revenue streams:

City administrators can generate additional revenue streams by selling recyclable materials or byproducts of solid waste processing, such as compost or energy. The sale of recyclable materials can be done through auctions or contracts with private recyclers or waste processing companies. Similarly, compost or energy generated from solid waste can be sold to industries or households for their use. The open market revenue streams model can help offset some of the costs of solid waste management services and create job opportunities in the waste processing sector.

Example of cities using the open market revenue streams model in India:

• Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has implemented a solid waste management system that includes waste-to-energy plants, composting facilities, and recycling units. The GHMC generates revenue from the sale of energy produced by the waste-to-energy plants and the sale of compost and recyclable materials.
• Surat: The Surat Municipal Corporation has implemented a waste-to-energy plant that generates electricity from the waste generated in the city. The electricity generated is sold to the Gujarat State Electricity Corporation, generating revenue for the municipality.

Public-private partnership (PPP) model:

Under this model, the city administration partners with private companies to provide solid waste management services. The private companies invest in infrastructure and equipment for waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal, while the city administration provides regulatory oversight and monitoring. The PPP model can leverage private sector expertise and resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of solid waste management services.

There are several cities in India that have successfully implemented the PPP model for solid waste management.

Some examples include:

• Indore: Indore, a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, has implemented a PPP model for solid waste management in collaboration with a private sector company called Antony Waste Handling Cell. Under this model, Antony Waste is responsible for collecting and transporting waste from households and commercial establishments to the designated landfill sites. The company also provides waste segregation and recycling services.
• Surat: Surat, a city in the state of Gujarat, has implemented a PPP model for solid waste management in collaboration with a private sector company called Hanjer Biotech Energies Pvt. Ltd. Under this model, Hanjer Biotech is responsible for collecting and transporting waste from households and commercial establishments to the designated landfill sites. The company also provides waste segregation and recycling services.
• Bengaluru: Bengaluru, a city in the state of Karnataka, has implemented a PPP model for solid waste management in collaboration with a private sector company called Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. Under this model, Ramky Enviro is responsible for collecting and transporting waste from households and commercial establishments to the designated landfill sites. The company also provides waste segregation and recycling services.

Overall, the PPP model for solid waste management has been successful in several cities in India, as it has allowed for the efficient provision of waste management services while also promoting private sector participation in the sector. However, there are also some challenges associated with this model, such as ensuring transparency in the selection of private sector partners and the need for effective regulation and monitoring of their performance.

Grants and subsidies:

City administrators can also seek grants and subsidies from the central and state governments, multilateral organizations, or philanthropic foundations to fund solid waste management services. Grants and subsidies can help cover some of the capital and operational costs of solid waste management services, especially for low-income communities that cannot afford user fees.

One example of a grants and subsidies model for solid waste management is the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched by the Government of India in 2014. Under this program, financial assistance is provided to urban local bodies (ULBs) for various activities related to solid waste management, including procurement of equipment, construction of waste processing facilities, and community awareness campaigns. The funding is provided in the form of grants and subsidies, with ULBs required to provide a matching contribution.

For instance, in the city of Chennai, the SBM has provided a subsidy of 35% of the project cost for the construction of a waste-to-energy plant. Similarly, in the city of Bengaluru, the SBM has provided a grant of INR 61 crore for the construction of a new waste processing facility.

In addition to the SBM, other grants and subsidies models are also being implemented in India to support solid waste management initiatives. For example, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) program provides funding for various urban infrastructure projects, including solid waste management. Under this program, ULBs are required to prepare detailed project reports and submit them for approval, following which they receive grants for project implementation.

Moreover, many state governments in India also provide grants and subsidies for solid waste management initiatives. For instance, the government of Maharashtra has launched a scheme called the “Mukhyamantri Shuddha Paryavaran Yojana,” under which ULBs are eligible to receive grants for various activities related to solid waste management, including the procurement of equipment, construction of processing facilities, and the implementation of door-to-door waste collection.

Pit composting and Windrow composting are two common methods of composting organic waste. Let’s look at them in detail.

Pit Composting:

Pit composting is a small-scale method of composting that involves digging a pit in the ground and adding organic waste materials. The pit is covered with soil and left to decompose over time. The capacity of a pit composting system can vary depending on the size of the pit and the amount of organic waste generated. In India, the CPHEEO guidelines recommend the following minimum and maximum capacity for pit composting facilities:

• Minimum capacity: 100 kg per day
• Maximum capacity: 5 tonnes per day

Technical guidelines for pit composting in India:

• Location: Choose a location that is well-drained, away from water bodies, and at a safe distance from residential areas to prevent odor nuisance.
• Size of the pit: The size of the pit depends on the quantity of waste generated. For a household, a pit of dimensions 1.5m x 1.5m x 1m is sufficient. For larger quantities of waste, the pit can be scaled up accordingly.
• Lining the pit: The pit should be lined with a layer of concrete to a thickness of at least 5cm to prevent leachate from seeping into the ground.
• Preparing the composting material: The composting material should be a mixture of brown and green organic waste, such as dry leaves, grass clippings, kitchen waste, and cow dung. The carbon to nitrogen ratio should be between 25:1 and 30:1.
• Adding the composting material to the pit: The first layer of the composting material should be about 10cm thick. The subsequent layers should be added as the waste is generated.
• Moisture management: The composting material should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Sprinkle water on the composting material if it appears dry.
• Turning the compost: The compost should be turned every 10-15 days to aerate it and ensure that it decomposes evenly.
• Composting time: The composting process takes between 4-6 months. The compost is ready when it is dark brown, crumbly, and has an earthy smell.
• Using the compost: The compost can be used as a soil amendment in gardens, agriculture, and horticulture.
• Maintenance of the pit: The pit should be cleaned after every composting cycle. The concrete lining should be checked for cracks and repaired if necessary.

These guidelines can help in setting up a concrete pit composting system that is efficient, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly.

Windrow Composting:

Windrow composting is a large-scale method of composting that involves piling organic waste materials in long rows, or windrows, and turning them periodically to aerate the compost. The capacity of a windrow composting system can vary depending on the size of the operation and the amount of organic waste generated. In India, the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) guidelines recommend the following minimum and maximum capacity for windrow composting facilities:

• Minimum capacity: 5 tonnes per day
• Maximum capacity: 200 tonnes per day

Technical guidelines for windrow composting in India:

• Site selection: Choose a site that is well-drained, level, and away from water sources to prevent contamination. The site should also be easily accessible for the transport of organic waste and finished compost.
• Size of windrow: The size of the windrow will depend on the amount of organic waste generated and the available space. Windrows should be between 1.5 to 2 meters wide and up to 2 meters high. The length of the windrow can vary depending on the amount of organic waste available.
• Composting materials: The organic waste used in windrow composting should be a mixture of carbon-rich (e.g. dry leaves, straw) and nitrogen-rich (e.g. food waste, green leaves) materials. The ideal carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio is between 25:1 and 30:1.
• Windrow construction: Begin by creating a base layer of coarse materials such as twigs or branches to promote air circulation. Then, alternate layers of carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials, watering each layer lightly to achieve a moisture content of around 50%.
• Turning the windrow: The windrow should be turned every 7-10 days to promote aeration and decomposition. Turning can be done using a front-end loader or manually using a pitchfork.
• Composting time: The composting process can take between 2-6 months, depending on the size of the windrow, moisture content, and temperature.
• Monitoring: Regular monitoring is essential to ensure that the windrow is decomposing properly. The temperature should be checked using a thermometer, and the moisture content should be monitored using a moisture meter. Adjustments can be made to the windrow, such as adding water or adjusting the C:N ratio, as needed.

Windrow composting is a low-cost and effective way to manage organic waste in India. By following these technical guidelines, you can produce high-quality compost for your garden or farm while reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Further reading resources: Composting for improved at-source wet waste management >

After processing wet and dry waste properly whatever inert part remains which will not be processed further is sent to sanitary landfills for safe disposal and ultimately the completion of the solid waste management process.

In India, the guidelines for the sanitary landfill site for solid waste disposal are provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The technical details for designing and constructing a sanitary landfill site are also specified in these rules.

Key guidelines and technical details on sanitary landfills

• Site selection: The landfill site should be located at least 500 meters away from residential areas, 200 meters from water bodies, and 20 meters from highways or roads. The site should also have a natural slope for proper drainage and be free from flooding, earthquakes, or landslides.
• Design and construction: The landfill site should have a lining system at the bottom made of a geomembrane or clay layer to prevent leachate from contaminating the soil and groundwater. The site should also have a leachate collection system, a gas collection and control system, and a cover system to prevent odors and littering.
• Operation and maintenance: The landfill site should be operated and maintained by a qualified operator who is responsible for ensuring proper waste management practices are followed. The operator should also monitor the landfill’s performance and take corrective measures if necessary.
• Closure and post-closure care: Once the landfill site reaches its capacity, it should be closed following the guidelines provided by the MoEFCC. The site should be capped with a layer of soil and vegetation, and the leachate and gas collection systems should be continued for at least five years after closure.

In addition to the above guidelines, there are also specific technical details regarding the size and capacity of the landfill site, the design of access roads and drainage systems, and the monitoring and reporting requirements. These technical details are specified in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and should be followed strictly to ensure the safe and effective management of solid waste in India.

The best Case Studies for Sanitary Landfill Sites of Solid Waste Management in India

Okhla Landfill, Delhi:

The Okhla landfill site is located in Delhi and is one of the largest landfill sites in India. The site was established in 1996 and receives around 2,700 metric tonnes of waste per day. The site has been designed to meet international standards and has a leachate treatment plant, gas extraction system and a landfill gas power plant. The site has been able to reduce the amount of methane emissions and generate electricity from the landfill gas. (Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India)

Deonar Landfill, Mumbai:

The Deonar landfill site is located in Mumbai and is one of the oldest and largest landfill sites in India. The site was established in 1927 and receives around 5,000 metric tonnes of waste per day. The site has faced numerous problems such as fires, leachate pollution, and health hazards for the nearby residents. In 2016, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation initiated a plan to convert the site into a scientific landfill with a leachate treatment plant, waste-to-energy plant and a composting plant. (Source: Mumbai Municipal Corporation)

Ghazipur Landfill, Delhi:

The Ghazipur landfill site is located in Delhi and is one of the tallest landfill sites in India. The site was established in 1984 and receives around 2,000 metric tonnes of waste per day. The site has faced numerous problems such as fires, leachate pollution, and health hazards for the nearby residents. In 2018, a portion of the site collapsed and resulted in the death of two people. The Delhi government has since then initiated a plan to close down the site and convert it into a green area. (Source: The Hindu)

Bhandewadi Landfill, Nagpur:

The Bhandewadi landfill site is located in Nagpur and is one of the most successful landfill sites in India. The site was established in 2008 and receives around 1,000 metric tonnes of waste per day. The site has a leachate treatment plant, a biogas plant and a composting plant. The biogas plant has a capacity to generate 2.8 MW of electricity from the landfill gas. The site has been able to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill and has been able to generate revenue from the electricity and composting. (Source: Nagpur Municipal Corporation).

For more, read some of our other expert articles.

Driving Responsible Product Disposal and Environmental Sustainability

EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, which is a policy framework that makes producers responsible for managing the end-of-life disposal of their products. The objective of EPR is to ensure that the producers take responsibility for managing the environmental impact of their products, including the waste generated by their products.

In the Indian scenario, EPR has been implemented for several products such as e-waste, plastic waste, and hazardous waste. The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, requires producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to collect and manage e-waste generated by their products. Similarly, the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, requires producers of plastic products to take measures for collecting, segregating, and disposing of the plastic waste generated by their products.

The implementation of EPR in India has helped in reducing the environmental impact of products and has also led to the development of a recycling industry. However, there are still challenges in the effective implementation of EPR, such as the lack of infrastructure for the collection and disposal of waste, lack of awareness among consumers, and the need for more stringent regulations to ensure compliance

In India, EPR policy implementation is at different stages for different types of waste.

Current targets and implementation stages for specific types of waste:

E-waste:

The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, make producers responsible for the collection and management of e-waste generated by their products. The e-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, also cover the management of CFL and other mercury-containing lamps.
Reading Material: Policy Guidelines on e-Waste

Plastic waste

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, require producers of plastic products to take measures for collecting, segregating, and disposing of the plastic waste generated by their products.
Reading Material: Policy Guidelines on Plastic Waste

Batteries:

The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001, require battery manufacturers and importers to take responsibility for the collection and disposal of their waste batteries.

Reading Material: Policy Guidelines on Battery Waste

Hazardous waste

The Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, require the producers of hazardous waste to take responsibility for the safe disposal of their waste.
Reading Material: Policy Guidelines on Hazardous Waste

Extended Producer Responsibility Policies on Specific Types of Waste

Electronic Waste (E-waste):

The EPR policy for e-waste in India is regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016. The EPR targets for e-waste management have been set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the following categories:

• Producers of electronic goods such as TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, etc.
• Producers of electronic components such as chips, resistors, capacitors, etc.
• Bulk consumers of electronic goods such as government departments, public sector undertakings, etc.

Currently, there are over 100 companies in India that have implemented EPR policies for e-waste, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, Samsung, LG, etc. These companies have tie-ups with authorized e-waste recyclers to collect and dispose of their e-waste.

Plastic Waste:

The EPR policy for plastic waste in India is regulated by the MoEFCC under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The EPR targets for plastic waste management have been set by the CPCB for the following categories:

• Producers of plastic packaging waste.
• Producers of multi-layered plastic (MLP) products.
• Brand owners who use plastic packaging for their products.

Currently, there are several companies in India that have implemented EPR policies for plastic waste, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, Unilever, etc. These companies have tie-ups with authorized recyclers to collect and dispose of their plastic waste.

Paper Waste:

The EPR policy for paper waste in India is regulated by the MoEFCC under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The EPR targets for paper waste management have been set by the CPCB for the following categories:

• Producers of paper and paperboard products.
• Brand owners who use paper and paperboard packaging for their products.

Currently, there are several companies in India that have implemented EPR policies for paper waste, including ITC, Hindustan Unilever, Nestle, Coca-Cola, etc. These companies have tie-ups with authorized recyclers to collect and dispose of their paper waste.

Key manufacturers and producers implementing EPR policy in India

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL):

HUL is one of the largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in India, with a wide range of products in the personal care, home care, and food and beverages categories. The company has committed to achieving 100% plastic waste collection and management by 2025, as part of its larger goal to become a “circular economy” business. To achieve this target, HUL has launched several initiatives, including setting up a network of plastic waste collection and recycling infrastructure, working with waste pickers and recyclers, and promoting awareness among consumers about responsible plastic waste management.

Procter & Gamble (P&G):

P&G is a multinational consumer goods company with a wide range of products in the personal care, home care, and health care categories. The company has committed to achieving 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030, as part of its “Ambition 2030” sustainability goals. To achieve this target, P&G is investing in research and development to find innovative packaging solutions, working with suppliers to source more sustainable materials, and partnering with recycling companies to improve recycling infrastructure and processes.

ITC Limited:

ITC Limited is a diversified conglomerate with interests in the fast-moving consumer goods, agri-business, hotels, paperboards, and packaging industries. The company has set a target to achieve 100% plastic waste collection and management in its value chain by 2030, as part of its “Responsible and Sustainable Business” strategy. To achieve this target, ITC is investing in recycling infrastructure, promoting the use of sustainable materials in its packaging, and working with waste pickers and recyclers to promote responsible waste management.

Overall, while many of these companies have made significant progress towards their EPR targets, there is still a long way to go to achieve a truly sustainable and circular economy in India. Stronger regulatory frameworks, greater public awareness, and more effective partnerships between government, industry, and civil society will be needed to drive the necessary changes.