Managing the Urban Waste - The ASSOCHAM Initiative

Waste generation, as a result of natural resource consumption, is rising alarmingly. It has emerged as major challenge for the union government, state governments and municipal bodies. Approximately 62 million tons of garbage is generated everyday by more than 377 million people living in urban India, while some of the compost-based waste processing plants across different states are functioning at less than a quarter of their installed capacity. 

Disposal of millions of tons of untreated garbage by the municipal bodies is a problem waiting for a prompt and feasible solution in order to avoid major health issues and environmental degradation. India`s waste predicament presents numerous social and environmental challenges for ULBs, whose responsibilities include municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Most noticeably, urban waste has significant effects on our health. 

In view of the alarming situation in the urban areas, the ASSOCHAM organized one day National Conference & Awards on the issues of Managing Urban Waste- Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Electronic Waste in the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. 

The Keynote address was presented by Shri Sujeet Samaddar, Senior Consultant, Industry, NITI Aayogand the Guest of Honor was Shri V K Jindal, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, who had given the Government viewpoint on the Swachh Bharat Mission and quoted the examples of the Indore City as well as the Government criteria how to be clean and can get the star on their performances. He narrated the visit of Panchgani also.  

The Welcome Address informing the need of the National conference was presented by Shri Rahul Sharma, Member, Managing Committee, ASSOCHAM and the wonderful detailed presentation was by Shri Hanumant Saraf, Head Recycling, Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd., the presentation was also by Ms Ritu Ghosh, Head, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Panasonic India Pvt. Ltd.,  

The industry who had contributed towards recycling the waste and keeping the environment clean got the awards. The awards were presented by Shri Satyendra Kumar Jain, Hon`ble Minister for Industries, Urban Development, Health, Home & Public Work Department, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). 

The Knowledge Paper, The Bif W Impact: Effective Urban Waste Management Solutions in India jointly prepared by the Earnest and Young and the ASSOCHAM was also released.  

The vote of thanks was presented by Dr Om S Tyagi, Assistant Secretary-General, ASSOCHAM. The Krishi Jagran presented the event on live on their Facebook Hindi. 

Then there was a Plenary Session on the Urban Waste Management Challenges & Barriers, Opportunities & Way Ahead. The Eight Industries presented that how they are managing the waste and making it useful and earning out of that.