India is among the world’s top 10 countries generating municipal solid waste (MSW) due to rapid urbanization, economic growth and higher rates of urban consumption. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change report, India currently generates 62 million tons of solid waste yearly with an average annual growth rate of 4 percent. However, only 43 million tons are collected; the rest are untreated or in landfills. Also, India has become the world’s largest contributor to plastic pollution, contributing 20 per cent of the total global plastic waste. By 2030, it is expected that the generation of MSW will rise to 165 million tonnes because of rapid economic growth and changes in consumption patterns by the urban population.

Compared to China’s 700 million garbage collectors, India accounts for only 21 million, highlighting our poor garbage collection infrastructure. Another major challenge is sorting recyclable materials, as only 30 per cent of waste is properly treated, causing materials like aluminium and plastics to end up in landfills or open spaces, leading to many adverse effects on the environment and public health in the country.

Major Challenges in Urban Waste Management

• Financial Constraints: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) lack the funds, technical expertise, and human resources.

• Lack of Infrastructure: There is an inadequate number of composting and recycling units.

• Unscientific Disposal: Over 60 percent of urban waste in India is dumped in unscientific landfills.

• Plastic Pollution: Single-use plastics remain a major environmental concern.

• Limited Public Awareness: there is a lack of awareness about waste segregation and recycling practices.

• Insufficient Sanitation Infrastructure: About 67.3 percent of urban areas lacked piped sewage discharge systems, leading to untreated sewage being released into water bodies.

To address these challenges and make urban cities “garbage-free”, PM Modi envisioned Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 on Oct 1, 2021, with an outlay of around ₹1.41 lakh crore aiming for all cities to be Free Status.

Objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0

• Strengthening Urban Governance: providing the Urban Local Bodies (URLs) financial and administrative assistance

• Promoting segregation at source: focusing on 100 per cent source segregation and recycling along with functional Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in every city.  

• Reduction of Plastic Waste: alternatives to single-use plastics are being encouraged.

• Sustainability: Composting wet waste and using biogas plants help convert organic waste into energy, aligning with the waste-to-wealth model.

• Capacity Building: training sanitation workers and officials for efficient waste management and promoting responsible waste disposal habits.

• Leveraging Technology: Using digital dashboards and real-time tracking enables transparency and efficiency in implementation.
  
  

Furthermore, SBM 2.0 encourages cities to adopt cost-effective, locally developed sanitation and waste management innovations. The Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, provides a legal framework for sustainable waste management mandated by all statutory towns /cities. Under this, local bodies must ensure that only non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste reaches landfills, prioritizing maximum recycling and reuse to minimize landfill waste. These initiatives will help to achieve the vision of "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and "Make in India."

Swachhta has become a Jan Andolan today. All urban local bodies have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), and 70 percent of solid waste is scientifically processed. By leveraging technology and fostering entrepreneurial solutions, the mission aims to create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments across India.