A combination of uncontrolled dumping of mixed municipal waste at designated dumpsites as well as at garbage-vulnerable points for decades, aided by flawed laws, has created around 3,159 dumpsites in India. The size and quantity of legacy waste in these dumpsites have become a ticking time-bombs, with associated environment impacts, including air, water and soil pollution.
Landfill capping and remediating dumpsites are two possible solutions for managing dumpsites. While the amended Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, focused on undoing damage caused by the wrong decision of dumping mixed waste and creating garbage hills, the pace of implementing these rules is lagging even after three years.
This study analyses initiatives by various cities in handling legacy waste along with the processes followed and economies involved.
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