New Delhi/Shimla: India’s waste problem is growing bigger and scarier every day. And now, fresh facts presented on the floor of Parliament during the ongoing session have sent shockwaves across the nation.
The latest government data reveals the ugly truth: India produces 1,70,339 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, but only 91,511 tonnes get treated.
The rest? Dumped into ever-growing landfills.
Plastic waste is no better. It shot up from 1.5 million tonnes in 2016-17 to a staggering 4.1 million tonnes in 2020-21, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Big states like Gujarat alone generate over 3.37 lakh tonnes of plastic annually, while smaller ones like Himachal Pradesh clock in at 6,206 tonnes.
What’s Being Done?
The government claims it’s tackling the mess. The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, launched in 2021, aims to make all cities garbage-free. But the numbers tell a different story.
Over 41,455 tonnes of garbage still find their way to landfills every single day.
On plastic, single-use items are now banned. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, along with strict EPR guidelines, have put more responsibility on manufacturers to recycle.
But ground-level implementation is patchy at best.
Why It’s Not Enough
Experts say we lack infrastructure, enforcement, and awareness.
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, exist only on paper in many states.
Local bodies are struggling with funds and accountability. Citizens, too, need to change their habits—reduce, reuse, and recycle. Yet, the push isn’t strong enough.
Will We Wake Up?
These shocking revelations beg the question: will polluters—companies, municipalities, citizens, and even NGOs—finally wake up? Or will India continue to drown in its own waste?
What Lies Ahead?
The government promises action but admits it’s a long haul. Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, said in Parliament:
“India’s waste challenge needs everyone on board—states, municipalities, industries, and citizens. We’re pushing for scientific processing and sustainable alternatives, but behavior change is key to winning this battle.”
The waste is piling up, and the clock is ticking.
The question remains: will India clean up its act? Or let the garbage mountains grow taller?
