Solid Waste Management in Bengaluru-Current Scenario and Future Challenges

Naveen BP and Sivapullaiah PV

Abstract

Rapid growth in urban population coupled with economic growth and rise in community living standards have resulted in generation of huge quantities of municipal solid waste posing serious problem to municipalities, and corporations in terms of collection and disposal of solid waste. The current study reviews how the city of Bengaluru, which is a typical fast expanding city in India manages its solid waste through Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike entrusted with the responsibility. It revealed that the current system of municipal solid waste management is not in tune with municipal solid waste (Management and Handling) rules, 2000. Approximately 5000 tons of waste is generated in Bengaluru city, out of which only 30% waste is collected by BBMP directly and the 70% of municipal solid waste is collected and transported through contractors. The solid waste is undergoing change in its composition. Due to several issues there is no properly operating sanitary landfill. Some of the landfills are either closed or badly managed. Much of municipal solid waste gets dumped in the open dumps, posing health risks to residents in their vicinity. This may cause in a high risk of contamination of ground water/surface water, soil and air.

Relevant Publications in Innovative Energy & Research