Maharashtra has stepped up its efforts to combat plastic and other waste pollution with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) taking several initiatives to reduce, recycle and reuse waste of all kinds
Maharashtra joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) in 2022 as part of its efforts to combat plastic pollution. The move, announced during the WEF’s annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland, follows the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5), in which member nations agreed to be held legally accountable for their contributions to the global plastic pollution crisis.
The move reinforces Maharashtra’s commitment to reducing plastic pollution, raising its anti-pollution ambitions and guaranteeing accountability and inclusivity throughout the value chain.
It will bring together major stakeholders in the state, including business leaders, policymakers, civil society organisations and plastic experts to develop a state-wide plan to eliminate plastic pollution.
“Maharashtra has made significant efforts in managing industrial and other waste for sustainable industrial development. The state government has implemented stringent regulations, ensuring industries treat and dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner,” states Uday Samant, Maharashtra Industries Minister. To address the delicate issue of hazardous waste, Maharashtra enforced the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules 2016, with MIDC serving as the nodal agency for establishing Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Stabilization & Disposal Facilities (CHWTSDF). The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) also regularly conducts inspections and audits to ensure adherence to pollution norms. In addition, strong monitoring systems are in place to enforce compliance, and strict action is taken against any violations.
Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Ministry will work in collaboration with the GPAP to launch a National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), a platform to help tackle plastic pollution in Maharashtra. As part of the initiative, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has decided to set up a plastic park at the new industrial estate at Ajang in Malegaon taluka. Apart from food and textile units, MIDC has reserved over 70 industrial plots for plastic parks, which will house plastic processing units in one place. The new industrial estate at Ajang has a total of 318 industrial plots of varying sizes from 500 sq metre to 9,700 sq metre. Of these, MIDC has reserved 70 plots for plastic processing manufacturing units and the remaining 248 plots have been reserved for food, textile and engineering units. So far100 plots have already been allotted for food and textile units. Now, the process has also been started to allot the plots for plastic processing units there.
“Our duty is not only the industrial development and employment generation in the state but also to preserve our natural resources and conserve our ecosystem. We believe that it is imperative for the nation and the world to further develop sustainably,” states Dr. Vipin Sharma, chief executive officer, MIDC.
The government of Maharashtra has appointed Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) as the knowledge partner for formulation of new policy and development of circular economy parks on Maharashtra. The focus on the transition of use, recycle, reuse towards circular economy is expected to help achieve Maharashtra’s net zero mission.
“The idea is to make Maharashtra a recycling hub. The highlight of the circular economy park will be having smaller hubs and one large park in various regions like Nagpur, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Mumbai-Pune, Ratnagiri & Kolhapur looking at environmental concerns,” said Dr Harshadeep Kamble, principal secretary, industry & mines, Maharashtra state government, speaking at a conference organised by MRAI.
The government of Maharashtra is working with stakeholders of various sectors like steel manufacturing, metal manufacturers, solid waste, etc, and formulating a flexible circular economy policy. Apart from plastic processing units, MIDC has undertaken several key projects to safeguard our environment. One of these initiatives includes the establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP), Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Stabilization and Disposal Facilities (CHWTSDF) and Common Sewage Treatment Plants (CSTP) facilities. These facilities play a crucial role in treating industrial effluents, hazardous waste and sewage, ensuring their safe disposal and preventing contamination of water, air, soil, etc.
MIDC is the nodal agency for the establishment of Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Stabilizationand Disposal Facilities (CHWTSDF). MIDC has implemented and made operational the CHWTSDF projects at Taloja, Thane, Belapur (TTC), Ranjangao (Pune), and Butibori (Nagpur) by providing the required land.
“MIDC’s commitment to sustainable development is exemplified by our approach to balancing industrial growth with environmental concerns. MIDC has spearheaded impactful initiatives aimed at fostering a harmonious coexistence between industry and the environment. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure, including cutting-edge CETPs, CHWTSDFs, and CSTPs, successfully tackles the challenge of managing industrial waste and effluents,” stated Sharma.
As a facilitator, MIDC plays a pivotal role in supporting environmental initiatives. It not only provides land to associations at a nominal rate of Rs. 1 per square meter for the construction of CETP facilities but also retains a 20% financial contribution in project expenditures, demonstrating its commitment to shared responsibility in environmental endeavors. This partnership ensures the efficient management and sustainable operation of CETP/CHWTSDF/CSTP projects.
Furthermore, MIDC actively collects processing fees from the beneficiaries through water bills. After deducting a nominal 2% service charge from the collected amount, the corporation deposits the remaining amount to the CETP associations. This financial model is developed to sustain the functioning of vital environmental treatment facilities, promoting the long-term protection of our motherland.
Across 19 industrial areas in Maharashtra, MIDC has successfully established Common Effluent Treatment Plants, with a combined capacity of 231.65 Million Liters per Day (MLD). Presently, the existing CETPs operate at a capacity of 151.60 MLD, effectively treating industrial effluents and upholding environmentally stipulated standards.
The solid waste project to be set up in Ambernath, Badlapur and Ulhasnagar suburbs will be a pilot project for Maharashtra. This is the first cluster project of two municipal councils and one municipal corporation to solve the problem of waste.
The integrated solid waste management project in Mumbai Metropolitan Region has gained momentum with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) initiating the tender process after a long wait. The MMRDA has also issued a tender for construction of an integrated solid waste project of 600 metric tons capacity at Survey No. 188, Valivali, Badlapur. On project completion, the collected waste will be directly dumped into the machines for processing. While 13% waste like plastic, glass and textile will be processed, the wet waste will be converted into compost and sold. Out of the remaining 55% of waste, 22% is expected to be debris, which will be used to fill the mines in nearby areas.
MIDC’s dedication to continuous improvement is evident in its ongoing upgradation and expansion works of the 9 CETPs across Maharashtra. Industrial areas such as Tarapur Phase 3, Roha, Dombivli (DBESA), Ranjangaon, and additional Ambernath are currently undergoing expansion and enhancement. Proposals for upgradation and expansion projects are also being considered for TTC, Mahad, Dombivli (Chemical), and Badlapur locations.
Alongside these ongoing works, MIDC is currently constructing a state-of-the-art greenfield CETP with a capacity of 5 MLD at Additional Butibori and a CSTP plant in Waluj, Aurangabad. Furthermore, a functional Common Sewage Treatment Plant (CSTP) with a capacity of 4 MLD is already operational at Hinjawadi Phase I. Looking ahead, MIDC has proposed the establishment of a greenfield CETP in Hingana, Nagpur. These upcoming projects will play a crucial role in the efficient management of industrial effluents and wastewater generated from these areas.