Conversion of cities into metropolitan areas leads to socio-economic development but it also leads to complex city management problems. India's urban population grew at a rate of 31.8% during the last decade to 377 million, which is greater than the entire population of US, the third largest country in the world according to population. Country is facing a sharp contrast between its increasing urban population and available services and resources. Solid Waste Management (SWM) is one such service where India has an enormous gap to fill. Proper municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal systems to address the burgeoning amount of wastes are absent.
It is estimated that at least 50% of this waste is re-usable and has an economic value in the market.
We need proactive approach to create “Waste Management Infrastructure” for scientific management of waste.
Various approaches to privatisation exist, offering cost savings, new technologies, improvement in efficiency and effectiveness and reduction in the need for permanent sanitation staff. However, new approaches require flexibility and adaptation to become effective.
