Maharashtra was number one solid waste generator in 2017

Mumbai: Maharashtra retained its title as the country’s largest generator of solid waste in 2017, as per the data of the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. In one of the Lok Sabha Question and Answers posted on Thursday it was revealed that there is an estimated generation of 22,570 metric tonnes of solid waste in Maharashtra per day as of November 2017. In 2015, Maharashtra also ranked number one in solid waste generation, with around 26,820 metric tonnes per day (mt/d).

Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat followed the state in 2017. The total solid waste generated by the country in 2017 amounted to 1,45,626 mt/d. Moreover, the state’s capital, Mumbai contributed around 41 per cent of the state’s per day solid waste generation. As per the data by the civic body’s Environment Status Report 2016-17, 9,400 mt of solid waste is generated every day out of which only 3 per cent is plastic.  The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has said the high numbers reflect that it has been effective in collecting garbage. “There has been an increase in transparency of recording the waste collected from households in Maharashtra. We have the highest number of urban bodies — around 260. Out of this, we have 26 municipal corporations, the highest in any state. The waste-collection mechanism in the state is the most effective with around 90 per cent of waste collection ensured,” said P. Anbalagan, member secretary, MPCB.

The MPCB has claimed that out of 22,570 metric tonnes of waste that were generated daily, around 1,000-1,500 constitute plastic waste. “A large portion of the plastic waste comes from packaging,” said Mr Anbalagan.

Solid waste management (SWM) experts have said there is a need to address the crisis of mismanagement of solid waste in the state. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Centre had released Rs 200 crore for the SWM for Maharashtra for 2017-18. “Although urban cities can limit their solid waste generation, it is important to address whether the waste is disposed or recycled properly. Till now, the SWM Rules, 2016 has not being followed accurately and the city’s dumps are being flooded with waste without proper segregation,” said Rishi Agarwal, a Mumbai-based SWM expert.