An Overview of Solid Waste Management Scenario and a Comparative Analysis of its Related Legislation in India

Solid waste poses a major threat to the environment, aesthetics, and human health which also includes the spread of various communicable diseases. Due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and uncontrolled population growth, India is witnessing an unresolved problem in terms of solid waste management (SWM). The appropriate execution of SWM can play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and is highlighted in many global agendas, visions, and charters. A sustainable SWM may help achieve some of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is also known as Agenda 2030. It is a set of 17 interlinked global goals that are to be achieved by the year 2030. However, the government is putting in various efforts in terms of bringing various sector-specific stringent laws that make authorities more powerful in the proper enforcement of the rule, and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (SWMR) is one among them. This paper presents a general overview of the solid waste generation and management scenario of our country and a comparative analysis of prevailing SWMR with the Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.