Managing solid waste at a city level : case of Aligarh

Abstract

Due to rapid increases in population over the last few decades, uncontrolled urbanization, industrial growth, and rise in living standards, the generation rate of municipal solid waste in Indian cities and towns have also accelerated. Improper waste handling poses serious health and environmental problems. Unattended solid waste gives rise to unsanitary conditions especially in densely populated areas. Municipal solid waste management remains one of the most neglected areas of urban development in India The purpose of this study is to assess the current practices and state of solid waste management systems (SWMS) in one medium-sized Indian town, identifying main issues and problems to its ineffectiveness, inefficiency and to gain some suggestions and recommendations to improve the SWM infrastructure and practices in such Indian towns. A case study of Aligarh city is carried out to know its solid waste management systems. This study also presents the estimation on the quantity and characteristics of municipal solid waste and its sustainable management options in Aligarh city. Study has revealed that the amount of municipal solid waste collected by the municipal corporation in Aligarh city is of the order of 415 tons per day. Segregation of waste at source is neither practiced by the residents nor by the municipal corporation. It was found that the collection efficiency of the Aligarh Municipal Corporation is about 42%. Present Practices of SWM in Aligarh city are very weak. Approximately 42% of the collected wastes are disposed as open dumping. There is no sanitary landfill in Aligarh City. Aligarh, having a population of about 0.9 million was selected for this study. An extensive literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical framework. Field visits were conducted to collect the primary data and to understand the SWMS of the city, including interaction and interviews with the various officials and workers of the municipality responsible for SWM and residents of the city. A protocol was developed to analyze the sources, quantification, and to determine the composition of waste streams. Despite all efforts being made by the local municipality within their limited resources, the solid waste management situation in Aligarh is still not adequate. The waste is being dumped on low lying or open areas in the outskirts of the city without engineering and scientific methods. This situation of SWMS can be compared with other Indian towns of similar size. The study discusses problems, opportunities and perspectives in the existing solid waste management system in Aligarh city and assesses the potential for its improvement by promoting 3R, improving public participation, and involving informal sector in waste management system, strengthening institutional capacity building of AMC, etc.