World Environment Day 2023: India can transform its massive waste problem into an engine of energy, economy, and empowerment
Picture this – a procession of 7,500 garbage trucks, each day, hauling off 50 million tonnes of solid waste every year. What we throw, gathers in an expanding sea of 3,150 dumpsites across our country, staining our landscape. But what is more alarming is that this number is predicted to triple by 2030, swelling to 165 million tonnes of waste annually. To hold this waste, we would need a landfill that outstrips the sprawling size of Mumbai, our treasured City of Dreams, transforming it into a sobering City of Dumps.
Re-evaluate our approach
India's urban and industrial organic waste alone holds a staggering potential of approximately 5,690 MW of energy. Visualise that for a moment. The power thus generated could fulfil all energy needs of over 2,500 households for an entire year, and imagine all this is possible from what we discard.
But the benefits aren't just ecological. Our rubbish could be an economic gold mine. A serious, innovative approach to waste management can unlock a bounty of INR 30,000 crore each year through the recycling industry. It's time we shift our perspective from viewing waste as a nuisance to be swept away, to a reservoir of untapped opportunities.
Owning up our waste
Reflect on the monumental heap of waste we are grappling with, and it becomes clear - it is high time we all step up our efforts. Every citizen, corporation, and government entity must intertwine their efforts and confront this issue with firm resolution and intent.
To wholly embrace waste management and seize its inherent opportunities, we must champion this tripartite participation model. The private sector can collaborate with the Government to educate the last-mile consumer about waste segregation and help build waste management infrastructure. In turn, local authorities can enforce regulations requiring households to segregate waste.
Source segregation is the cornerstone of a sustainable waste management ecosystem. A significant amount of waste recycling resources are expended in separating degradable and non-biodegradable waste, an issue effortlessly resolved by source segregation. A well-structured awareness campaign, involving communities and last-mile workers, can bolster this goal. It is essential that people and resident associations internalise this system, making it the bedrock of scientific waste segregation, collection, and disposal.
India is home to approximately 1.5 million waste pickers, the unsung heroes who collect 80% of all recyclable waste. Most of these workers operate informally, with little protection and safety. Investing in their skill development is a vital aspect of holistic waste management. By providing basic protective gear, raising awareness of their socio-economic rights, enabling access to basic identity proofs, and facilitating access to government policies, we can significantly strengthen our recycling systems.
Ultimately, tackling the vast expanses of waste is a responsibility that we all must shoulder collectively. The focus must be on transparency, establishing robust recycling systems, and educating individuals about their waste footprint and the importance of source segregation. It's time we turn our waste into treasure.
(Gayatri Divecha is head – Good & Green, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies.)