WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA
With 66.1% recycling, Germany is the best recycling country in the world. Austria is close by with Germany in waste management. These two countries are followed by Taiwan, Sweden and South Korea in the list of best waste managers in the world. In 2003 Kamikatsu municipality of Japan made history by producing zero waste. While these are the names of the toppers, annoyingly, our country is among bottom 12 of the list in best waste managers in the world. The amount of municipal solid waste generated in India in 2021 was 1,60,000 metric tons. Considerable amount these waste are combustible and can be used for electricity generation. For instance, China is producing 2.7 million tonnes of waste per year. They generate 2.7 billion kilowatt hours.of electricity every year.
Waste from paper, plastic, glass, wood, metal, electronics, battery, cloth and such many items are recycled and brought into new products.
If we Indians use our waste properly for recycling and electricity generation, we can create large employment and bring new products to the market. Unfortunately, even for rejected waste our governments are not able to take timely and proper decisions. Our people also are least bothered about such matters. If the subject is politics our government and people instantly get activated.
On the environment performance index of 2024 India ranks 176 among 180 countries in the world. The reason for this not one but many. Most important is that we don't give adequate consideration for waste management at various levels like homes, schools, Panchayats, Municipalities, State and Central governments. The governments seems to be thinking that waste collection and disposal is the work of the people as a whole and the salaried workers going for collection. I think there should be a seperate ministry for waste management. Recycling of waste should be introduced in all states with definit results. Electricity should be generated at different locations under different managements. Unfortunately, may be because of the peculiarities of our vast law, our judiciary is not able to interfere voluntarily and arrange to pick the offenders.
K V George
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