India is known for its culture, traditions and modernization. As cities grow, there is a need for sustainable practices. For instance, waste recycling, management and transformation. The rate of waste generation in 2025 is predicted to be a 38-67 % increase of the current waste generation rates for the lower to middle-income countries.
India produces over 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste a day. Only 8% of it is recycled, with the rest mismanaged, incinerated or dumped. Landfill is another challenge. Landfills leak toxins which also contribute waste into the environment. The Indian government promotes the conversion of waste into energy through various technologies, such as incineration and anaerobic digestion. This policy aims to reduce landfill use and generate renewable energy.
Waste is only waste when we waste it. So, let us start transforming waste for a more environmentally conscious future.
Table of Contents
Read on to learn how waste can be transformed.
Economic Benefits
Recycling is good for the environment and the economy. Recycling creates jobs in waste collection, segregation and processing. The country can save money by using AI to sort and process waste at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
Environmental Benefits
Waste management helps create a sustainable future. Recycling and separating waste can reduce the impact on the environment. Recycling also helps conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gases. It’s proper disposal can prevent disease.
Climate Change Mitigation
Waste management helps to stop climate change. Good waste disposal can cut methane from landfills. If we use less raw material, we can avoid deforestation and make energy from renewable sources.
Circular Economy
The circular economy model encourages people to stop the old “take-make-dispose” process. The circular economy is a way of using resources that reduces waste and makes the most of them. This makes materials last longer.
When resources are used up, they can be made into new products or materials. This system will create a loop of generating new materials from existing ones. If we use fewer new resources, we can reduce it in landfills and focus on sustainability.
Energy Generation
Indian households produce a lot of organic waste. Food scraps and agricultural residues are examples. Organic residues can be used in processes like anaerobic digestion and biomass combustion. Waste-to-energy technologies are still being developed, but they can help generate clean electricity and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Various environmental studies and reports, Recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy which is required to produce new cans from bauxite ore is often cited.
Clean fuel for a Green Earth
Technology and individual efforts help to promote source segregation. People and institutions must be taught about the importance of waste segregation. Eventually, policies can support this and help create a sustainable waste system.
India’s unofficial waste collectors are important for managing waste. If the government helps them with training, waste management will improve. This will improve their working conditions, well-being and productivity, while also helping communities.
Here is something you can do.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a tool called iWARM. This tool calculates how much energy you save by recycling different materials and shows you how long those savings could power different appliances. People are starting to understand the importance of waste management. Some start-ups like Recykal and Earth911 are helping to solve problems in waste management. These success stories show that positive change is possible ultimately fostering a healthier planet for future generations.
To get more ideas, read the following:
