How to navigate India's waste mountains with better data insights

livemint.com:

Climate Change (MoEFCC) is responsible for framing laws and regulations related to waste management in the country. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards are responsible for enforcing these regulations and monitoring compliance. However, waste management given its inter-sectoral nature also features in the mandate for other ministries like the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

If we look at the granular level, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are at a pivotal juncture spearheading solid waste management in cities. Known as the third tier of governance, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are self-governing local bodies. There are different types of ULBs instituted as per the population of the city, for example big cities like Mumbai and Bangalore have Municipal Corporations, whereas smaller cities tend to have Municipality also known as municipal council/ committee/ board.

These ULBs have the mandate to carry out solid waste management along with plethora of other responsibilities. As per Swachh Bharat Urban at present, India has almost 5,000 ULBs. ULBs are responsible for preparation of SWM plans, primary and secondary municipal waste collection/transport, street sweeping and drain cleaning, treatment and disposal, and information, education and communication to influence behaviour change.

ULBs have the mandate to pick up waste from every area of their jurisprudence. This waste is supposed to be cleaned, sorted. The biodegradable waste must be sent for composting.

The non-biodegradable waste should be sorted further into hazardous and non- hazardous waste. The non- hazardous waste is sent for further recycling. Whereas the hazardous waste is sterilised and then disposed of as per scientific