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India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country in 2023, and its urban population is expected to nearly double to 814 million by 2050, according to United Nations data. It has been reported.
It is reported that the amount of waste generated in urban areas in India will be 0.7 kg per person per day by 2025, an increase of approximately 4 to 6 times compared to 1999.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, India currently generates 62 million tonnes of waste annually, including recyclable and non-recyclable waste, with an average annual growth rate of 4%. It has become. According to the ministry, solid waste, plastic waste and electronic waste are the main types of waste.
Air pollution in India is also a serious health problem. In 2018, 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were reportedly in India. At least 140 million people in India are breathing air more than 10 times the WHO safe limit, according to a study based on 2016 data.
It has been reported that the amount of waste generated in urban areas in India is expected to reach 0.7 kg per person per day by 2025, approximately four to six times the amount in 1999.
A mission to turn waste into wealth
With the launch of the Swachh Bharat movement, India has started on the path to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Established under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council, the ‘Waste to Wealth’ mission leverages global technological capabilities to generate socio-economic benefits for 1.4 billion Indians. This is an initiative by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. By addressing the problems of waste disposal, deteriorating air quality and increasing pollution of water bodies.
The mission, led by the Chief Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, aims to identify, test, validate and deploy waste treatment technologies to:
1. Generate energy.
2. Recycle materials.
It extracts valuable resources and provides a technical database of national and international technologies to help urban local bodies tackle waste issues.
The mission will support and strengthen Swachh Bharat and smart city projects by leveraging science, technology and innovation to create circular economy models that:
1. Economically viable and;
2. Sustainable waste management to streamline domestic waste disposal.
Type of waste
According to a report published by Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), 1.45 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated per day in urban areas of India. According to the report, although 67% of urban areas have door-to-door collection of municipal solid waste, only about 23% (33,215 tons/day) of the total waste generated is treated/processed. and is reported to be 72 tons per day. cents, or 1.22 million tons/day, goes to landfill.
In terms of plastic waste, the country generates approximately 0.025 million tonnes (MT) of plastic waste per day, which is expected to increase to 34 million tonnes (MT) per year by 2031. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the proportion of plastic and rubber in municipal solid waste (MSW) rose to 9.22 per cent in 2017, compared to 0.66 per cent in 1996. .
When it comes to e-waste, India is the world’s largest producer of e-waste, producing around 2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, according to a United Nations report.
Air pollution is the leading cause of illness and death worldwide, causing 3 million premature deaths worldwide each year. In India, more than 80% of people living in urban areas where air pollution is monitored are exposed to air quality levels that exceed acceptable levels mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the report, the main causes contributing to air pollution are:
1. Old vehicles.
2. Contamination of fuel.
3. Industry.
4. Power plants using solid fuels, and;
5. Traffic jams.
water pollution
When it comes to water pollution, currently only one-third of India’s wastewater is treated, resulting in raw sewage flowing into rivers, lakes and ponds, ultimately contaminating groundwater.
The medical costs associated with water pollution are estimated to be around Rs 10 million. 470-610 billion ($6.7-8.7 billion) annually, nearly 70 percent of India’s water is reportedly contaminated, and three out of four Indians and contributes to 20 per cent of India’s disease burden.
Recent government announcement provides one-off financial support to waste recycling startups
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Saturday, September 21, 2024, that the Center will provide one-time financial assistance to start-ups focusing on waste recycling. The minister said the initiative will also prioritize energy and water conservation, while enforcing a ban on single-use plastics. He said the government’s focus is on saving energy and water, banning single-use plastics, stopping food waste, promoting healthy lifestyles and disposing of electronic waste.
epilogue
Overcoming waste management challenges requires a focus on strengthening education and awareness campaigns to foster a culture of waste reduction and recycling. Additionally, it is believed that improving waste collection systems and investing in state-of-the-art recycling facilities will help increase recycling rates. However, some argue that cooperation between governments, the private sector and the public is essential to building a sustainable waste management ecosystem.
Next, build the right infrastructure to create a sustainable waste management ecosystem, including:
1. Waste collection facility
2. Isolation;
3. Recycling and;
4.Processing is required.
Public participation and awareness campaigns can have a significant impact on reducing waste generation and promoting recycling in the informal sector. Therefore, a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, the private sector and the public is considered key to building a sustainable waste management ecosystem.
Building a sustainable future by implementing effective waste management policies, improving infrastructure and promoting public awareness can create cleaner, healthier cities while conserving precious resources. Masu.
Therefore, the Modi government’s determination to promote a healthy lifestyle among the people through waste recycling by providing one-time financial support to waste recycling startups is commendable.
The views expressed above are the author’s own.
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