Municipal Solid Waste Management in India- Revisited

Abstract

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a socioeconomic activity that entails with solid waste generation. Management of municipal solid waste is a national problem and is faced in all the cities of India. Urbanization contributes enhanced municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and unscientific handling and final disposal of MSW degrades the urban environment and causes health hazards. Various collection systems engaged by the municipalities collect less than half of the total waste generated. As a result, wastes are either scattered in urban centres or disposed of in an unplanned manner in low lying areas or open dumps, or fired by the residents in their backyards. Insufficient collection and inadequate have made the situation exasperating due to which various environmental and health related issues are increasing. Keeping in mind of the present situation, the current paper reviews about municipal solid waste management system in the country and initiative to be taken by education institutions.