"We should always consider waste as a resource and wealth…do not see it as just garbage. Once we start looking at garbage and waste as a wealth, we shall also find newer, techniques of waste management."
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In the past nine years, the Modi government has demonstrated unwavering commitment and innovative initiatives towards waste management, steering India towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. With a comprehensive approach encompassing policy reforms, technological advancements, and community engagement, the government has successfully laid the groundwork for a paradigm shift in waste management practices.
Some striking initiatives in this regard are the Swachh Bharat Mission, the ban on single-use plastic, new extended producer responsibility guidelines, and the Smart Cities Mission.
At the forefront of the government's waste management efforts is the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2014 with the vision of achieving a clean and open-defecation-free India. This flagship program has transformed sanitation practices and played a pivotal role in instilling a sense of responsibility and awareness regarding waste disposal. Rural India today is 100% open-defecation-free.
Rural sanitation coverage increased from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019.
The Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase-II was launched in 2023 to aid villages in scientific management of organic waste, including agricultural residues and cattle waste, effectively laying down a pathway for 'waste to wealth'. The scheme provides financial assistance of up to Rs. 50 lakh per district to set up community biogas plants in villages and blocks at the district level. The GOBARdhan scheme boosts the rural economy and secures environmental sustainability via a 'whole of government' approach. To date, 536 compressed biogas plants and 1,193 biogas plants have registered on the GOBARdhan portal.
With a vision of creating 'Garbage Free Cities', the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 was initiated in 2021. The mission entails door-to-door collection, source segregation, and municipal solid waste scientific processing. Rs. 1,41,678 crore have been allocated for five years from 2021-2026 for the mission with its focus on single-use plastic, segregation of waste, and reduction in air pollution through management of construction activities and bio-remediation of dump sites. In addition, the solid waste processing capacity has also enhanced by around 1,05,876 TPD in the last eight years under the SBM (Urban).
The government has introduced separate guidelines for environmentally safe and sound management of plastic, solid, biomedical, E-waste, and other hazardous waste. This, coupled with relevant waste management rules and levy against environmental damages based on the polluter pays principle, ensures that waste management in India is dealt with.
The government introduced new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines wherein the producer is held responsible for collecting, recycling and disposing of the wastes generated by their products. It shifts the burden of waste management from the government or taxpayers to producers. It also encourages producers to adopt eco-friendly packaging and waste reduction measures. Since 2022, EPR has utilised varied market mechanisms for environmentally sound waste management, including plastic waste, e-waste, used oil, and battery waste.
Single-use plastic items with low utility and high littering potential have been banned in India since July 2022 via the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021. Further, online platforms like the National Dashboard, which monitors the implementation of a comprehensive action plan, and the CPCB Monitoring Module for Compliance on Elimination of Single-Use Plastic were also utilised to monitor the ban effectively. This step aligns with global efforts to curb plastic pollution and demonstrates the government's endorsement of sustainable practices.
Started with an outlay of Rs. 17,15 crore , the National Bioenergy Programme aims to recover energy from surplus waste—biomass, cattle dung, and urban and industrial biowaste—to promote bioenergy in India as we work to achieve our ambitious renewable energy targets along with securing aatmanirbharta in the energy sector. It supports setting up bioenergy plants with the central government's financial assistance. The programme includes sub-schemes such as the Waste-to-Energy Programme and Biogas Programme.
The Waste-to-Energy scheme, in particular, provides financial assistance for setting up large biogas and bioCNG plants, among others, between 2021-22 and 2025-26. It aims to recover energy from industrial, urban, agricultural, and municipal solid waste.
Under the National Bioenergy Programme umbrella, 12,693 small biogas plants were installed in 2023. An annual target of 46,000 small biogas plant installations has been allocated during FY2024.
Going further, the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) promotes the production of compressed biogas in the country for use in vehicles, industries, and cooking. The scheme encourages entrepreneurs to set up bioCNG plants to produce and supply bioCNG to oil marketing companies for sale as automotive fuels.
These initiatives lay down a comprehensive framework for effective waste management in the country. In addition, government programs like the Smart City Mission incorporate waste management as a key component of urban development. By integrating technology and data-driven solutions, the government aims to create efficient waste management systems in cities, setting the stage for a cleaner and more sustainable urban landscape.
In conclusion, the Modi government's tireless efforts towards waste management over the past nine years have yielded significant results. Through a multi-faceted approach encompassing policy reforms, technological advancements, and community engagement, the government has addressed immediate challenges and laid the groundwork for a sustainable and cleaner India. As we move forward, we must acknowledge these positive strides and continue supporting initiatives contributing to a greener and more environmentally conscious nation.
