Indian urban waste is a heterogeneous mixture of paper, plastic, cloth, metal and organic matter. The daily per-capita solid waste generated in small, medium and large cities/towns in India is 0.1, 0.3 - 0.4 and 0.5 kg/capita/day, respectively, with the recyclable content varying from 13% to 20%. (Central Pollution Control Board, India, 1994/95).

Based on the surveys carried out in the past on the quantum of waste generated and assuming an annual growth rate of 1/33% in per-capita waste generation, the urban municipal solid waste generated in 1997 is estimated at 48 million tonnes.

Although the current per-capita waste generation figure of 490 grams is very low compared to that of 1950 grams in the US (Franklin Associates 1997) and similar figures for other developed countries, the actual quantum is large owing to the enormous population levels in India. The organic component of this waste has remained almost stable at 40% over the last many years, but the percentage of recyclable has increased from 9.5% in 1971-73 to 17.2% in 1995, adding to the problem of scientific disposal of waste.

As a first step in improving environmental quality, methods to continuously reduce waste and pollution need to be found. This requires a regulatory environment that encourages waste reduction, provides incentives to develop cleaner technologies and drives implementation of cleaner production techniques when they become available. The priority areas which need emerge for immediate action are :

• Need to develop a national master plan for solid waste management in a scientific manner.
• Organisational efficiency and financial discipline within municipal organisations.
• Intensive public awareness campaigns
• Resource recovery from wastes
• Provision of adequate basic facilities for good waste management practices by an individual
• Private initiatives in the collection, transportation and disposal of waste
• Strengthening of institutional and regulatory mechanisms of the municipal bodies in the context of the provisions of the 74 th Amendment of the Constitution.

Source : Sustaining Development (India), Ministry of Environment and Forests (India), 1998.