The Context
Urbanization in India is rapidly increasing, bringing both benefits and significant challenges, especially in waste management. High population density and unique climatic conditions exacerbate waste issues, threatening quality of life and polluting natural resources. Addressing waste management is urgent and critical.
Bihat Nagar Parishad, a town along the Ganga River, faces acute waste management challenges. Traditional centralized waste disposal methods, where waste ends up in rivers, are unsustainable and harmful. Despite efforts like the Swachh Bharat Mission, underutilized infrastructure and unsegregated waste lead to environmental and health concerns.
Our solution emphasizes a multi-layered strategy focusing on decentralization and circular economy principles. Key to this is treating biodegradable waste at its source using advanced composting technologies. As a region with significant agricultural importance, compost serves as a soil conditioner and fertilizer, reducing dependency on chemical alternatives. For non-biodegradable materials like plastics, we implement Resource Recovery Facilities (RRF) to segregate waste and hand it over to recyclers, ensuring circularity. We employ a blend of decentralized methods, like community composting and Material Recovery Facilities (MCFs), along with centralized recycling technologies for comprehensive waste management.
Empowering
Communities through Waste Management
Another critical intervention is monitoring the collection and processing of waste. To ensure transparency, we are developing a mobile app and dashboard that will allow community members and governance institutions to monitor the process and activities, fostering accountability. Key benefits include proper waste management, reduced municipal burden, better transparency, and resource circularity.
Integrating
Technology with
Education
Successful implementation hinges on integrating technological solutions with public education and awareness. Effective waste management requires a holistic approach, combining technology distribution, curriculum integration, and fostering individual responsibility. This endeavour is made possible through the support of Tecnimont Private Limited via their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund, in collaboration with the Ashank Desai Centre for Policy Studies at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Maharashtra, and the local NGO Aakash Ganga Rang Chaupal Association. Together, we are committed to creating impactful, sustainable change.
Join Us
in Creating a Cleaner Future
Join us in this mission to adopt sustainable waste management practices, protect our environment, and ensure a cleaner, healthier future for India. The success of this initiative depends on collective commitment and active participation, transforming the vision of a garbage-free India into reality.
The Issues
Begusarai is an industrial district in Bihar, located on the northern bank of the Ganga River. The district faces significant environmental issues, particularly in solid waste management.
Wastewater Drains: 56% of towns in Bihar have wastewater drains near the Ganga without screens, allowing solid waste to enter the river.
Clogged Drainage Systems: Heavy rains exacerbate the problem, leading to clogged drainage systems and river pollution.
Study Insights: A study in Bihat Nagar Parishad highlighted key issues in waste management, including poor waste segregation, inefficient waste collection, and multiple dumping sites.
Non-Cyclical Waste System: The current system is largely non-cyclical, leading to indiscriminate disposal and potential groundwater contamination.
Lack of Infrastructure: There’s insufficient infrastructure for waste collection, transfer, and processing, along with ineffective use of the twin-bin system.
Community Aerobic Bins: Existing community aerobic bins for biodegradable waste need revitalization.
Scrap Dealers: A detailed study on the role of scrap dealers in waste management is needed.
Medical Waste: Hazardous medical waste disposal from hospitals and clinics poses public health risks, requiring strict adherence to SWM rules.
Sanitation Workers: Low and unstable wages for predominantly female sanitation workers need to be addressed, along with improving their working conditions by providing public toilets, rest areas, and tool storage facilities.
Waste Generation
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Operations
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Workforce and Infrastructure
Each ward is served by four sanitation workers (2 male, 2 female) employed by the Bihat municipality. Male workers use tricycle trolleys for waste collection, while female workers sweep streets and collect street waste using hand carts.
Infrastructure Status
The two collector/dumper trucks are non-functional, hampering waste collection efficiency. Waste is primarily collected from households and markets near main roads but often ends up in nearby depressions or along roadsides due to insufficient treatment facilities.
Waste Disposal
The lack of adequate treatment facilities for both kitchen and non-biodegradable waste results in improper waste disposal. The Bihat Dumping Yard receives 10-12 tons of mixed solid waste daily, primarily from the market area.
Worker's Conditions and Lack of Amenities
Sanitation workers are employed on a contractual daily wage basis without leave entitlements. Their daily wage of approximately INR 304 is below the state minimum wage of INR 366. Most workers, particularly females, are not primary breadwinners and have limited literacy and skills. Working hours are from 7 am to 11 am, with workers taking on additional odd jobs afterward to supplement their income.
Workers lack essential protective gear, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, shelter, and secure tool storage. Despite long-term service, workers do not receive medical insurance or provident fund benefits
