Urban India generates about 55 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) annually (Source: Planning Commission Report, 2014). As per a 2009 report of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), per capita waste generation is increasing by about 1.3% annually. It is estimated that 10-25% of the total MSW generated in Indian cities is Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, of which only 5% is recycled and reused. The total quantum of waste from the construction industry was estimated to be around 100 million tonnes per annum in 2018 (NITI Aayog, 2019). According to MoEF&CC, MSW generation is expected to reach 0.45 million tonnes per day (TPD) by 2031, and 1.19 million TPD by 2050. The relationship between solid waste and GHG emissions is well established. GHGs can be avoided through scientific management of waste. The first principle of the integrated waste management hierarchy is reduction of waste generation at source. Therefore, it is essential for cities to prioritise actions for waste reduction and accordingly plan their future waste management operations and infrastructure requirements.
On 2nd October 2014, SBM-U was launched by MoHUA, with the objectives of making the country Open Defecation Free (ODF) and promoting scientific SWM. With this vision, India has embarked on the journey of cleanliness, duly advocating compliance with the SWM Rules 2016, C&D Waste Rules 2016, and the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, among others. At the time of the launch of SBM-U, 26,000 TPD of waste was being treated, which has been enhanced substantially in the last 6 years of the Mission to approximately 96,000 TPD (as reported by the states/UTs in November 2020). The total waste generated is about 0.15 million TPD. About 98% of the total municipal wards have door-to-door collection, 68% of the total waste generated is processed, and 77% of the total wards practice source segregation. In order to enhance the progress and sustain the achievements, the proposal to continue the Mission under SBM 2.0 is under examination by the government.
Since 2016, in order to create healthy competitiveness and to evaluate the performance of ULBs, the Annual Swachh Survekshan (cleanliness survey) is carried out, under which the ULBs are ranked based on various parameters of cleanliness. In the first round of Swach Survekshan, 73 million-plus cities were evaluated. Similarly in 2017, the survey was conducted among 434 cities. Swachh Survekshan 2018 and 2019 covered 4,203 and 4,237 ULBs respectively. The Swachh Survekshan 2020 covered 4,242 cities, and introduced the concept of ‘Continuous Survekshan’ to ensure that the Mission outcomes are sustained through a continuous quarterly monitoring and verification.
SWM Rules 2016 emphasises on source segregation of waste into three streams (i.e., bio-degradable, non-bio-degradable, and domestic hazardous waste) and proper transportation and treatment of solid waste. The Rules insist that all industrial units, located within 100 km from the refused-derived fuel (RDF) and waste-to- energy plants based on solid waste, shall make arrangements within six months from the date of notification of these Rules to replace at least 5% of their fuel requirement by refused derived fuel so produced. As per the latest amendment to the Electricity Tariff Policy 2006 by the Ministry of Power, it is mandatory for the state electricity distribution companies (Discoms) to purchase all power generated from MSW at the rate determined by the appropriate authority. Further, as per the Policy on Promotion of City Compost, the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers will provide a fixed market development assistance of INR 1,500/metric tonne of city compost for scaling up and consumption of the product. Initially, the marketing and promotion of city compost will be done through the existing fertiliser companies.
