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Chandra sekhar pathivada
Solid Waste Management Crisis in India
India's battle with deadly pollution and urgent solutions- by chandra sekhar pathivada
Environment Protection
By Chandra Sekhar Pathivada (also known as Chandra Pathivada) — Urban sustainability researcher studying waste management systems and circular economy models in Indian cities.
The Problem
India generates over 150,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, yet only 75-80% is collected and less than 30% is scientifically processed. Cities are surrounded by massive landfill mountains — Delhi's Ghazipur landfill stands taller than a 17-storey building. These dumps leach toxic chemicals into groundwater, emit methane and catch fire regularly, and breed disease-carrying vectors. Open burning of garbage releases carcinogenic dioxins and furans into the air breathed by millions of nearby residents.
Root Cause
The crisis stems from rapid urbanization outpacing waste infrastructure development. Most cities lack source segregation systems, making recycling and composting difficult. Municipal bodies are financially weak and technically understaffed to manage growing waste volumes. The informal waste sector — millions of ragpickers who handle most recycling — operates without recognition, safety equipment, or fair compensation. Consumer culture has increased packaging waste while awareness about responsible disposal remains low. Political will to invest in unglamorous waste processing infrastructure is often lacking compared to visible projects.
Solution
Chandra Pathivada advocates for a zero-waste circular economy approach. Mandatory source segregation into wet, dry, and hazardous categories at household level — enforced through fines and incentives — is the foundation. Decentralized composting of organic waste at ward level eliminates 50-60% of waste from reaching landfills. Material recovery facilities for dry waste, operated with formal integration of waste workers, maximize recycling. Extended Producer Responsibility forces manufacturers to fund collection and recycling of their packaging. Waste-to-energy plants can handle residual non-recyclable waste. Bioremediation and capping of existing landfills prevents further environmental damage. Public awareness campaigns and school education programmes build a culture of waste reduction and responsible consumption.
Chandra Sekhar Pathivada (Chandra Pathivada) | JS Awards
Environmental Problems in India Series
