GS3 – ENVIRONMENT
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Draft Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2024, which are set to come into effect on 1st October 2025. These rules aim to address the adverse impacts of unmanaged solid waste, implement the principles of a circular economy, and enhance the monitoring of waste management practices across both urban and rural areas.
SWM refers to the process of managing the generation, collection, storage, transport, processing, and disposal of solid waste.
Key Highlights of the SWM Rules, 2024:
- Waste generators must store construction and demolition waste separately on their premises and dispose of it in accordance with the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.
- Bulk waste generators must obtain Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility Certificates from local bodies for environmentally sound collection and transportation of sanitary waste, etc.
- Non-recyclable waste with a calorific value of 1500 Kcal/kg or more should not be disposed of in landfills.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will establish a centralized online system for registration and annual returns filing for all obligated entities under these rules.
- Operators of treatment, storage, and disposal facilities must register on the centralized online portal.
- Local bodies are required to prevent the burning of agricultural and horticultural waste and impose heavy penalties on individuals involved in such open burning.
Challenges in Solid Waste Management:
- Lack of proper waste collection and segregation at the source.
- Indiscriminate dumping of electronic waste.
- Financial constraints on waste collection and transportation.
Initiatives Taken for Solid Waste Management in India
India has implemented several initiatives to address solid waste management (SWM) challenges. Some key initiatives include:
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Launched in 2014, this national cleanliness drive aimed to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management across urban and rural areas.
- Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: These rules mandate the reduction of plastic waste through extended producer responsibility (EPR) and encourage recycling and reuse.
- E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: The rules regulate the disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) and mandate producers to manage e-waste through collection centers and recycling systems.
- Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2000: These rules outline the responsibilities of municipal bodies in managing solid waste collection, treatment, and disposal.
- National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF): The fund promotes the development of waste-to-energy technologies to reduce landfill waste and produce renewable energy.
- Waste to Energy Projects: Several cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, have implemented waste-to-energy plants to generate electricity from solid waste, reducing the burden on landfills.
Mains Question – Critically analyze the challenges faced by India in implementing effective solid waste management practices. Suggest measures to overcome these challenges, considering recent government initiatives.