A report submitted by the task force on ‘Waste to energy’ to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia has highlighted the need for an integrated approach towards municipal solid waste (MSW) management, reduction and segregation of waste at source and also efficient utilisation of various components of the waste.
The Task Force was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr K Kasturirangan to identify technically feasible, financially affordable and environmentally sound processing and disposal technologies for MSW. It had also evaluated technological options, financial mechanisms and institutional arrangements to enhance resource recovery and promote waste-to-energy technologies.
Urban India currently generates 170,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day. Only 19% of this waste is treated and rest goes to dump sites causing serious problems to health and environment. The situation is assuming alarming proportions in the country.
The ‘Waste to energy’ report emphasises on setting up centralised or decentralised waste processing facilities keeping in view the quantity and quality of waste generated and financial viability of the processing technology.
The report provides guidance for the selection of appropriate technology and clearly indicates technologies that could be adopted by various classes of cities. It emphasises on converting the combustible waste into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to be used in power plants based on RDF.
The report strongly recommends Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a mode of service delivery to achieve the target set for Sustainable Waste Management. A model scheme has also been detailed for setting up waste-to-energy projects through PPP mode, including a viability gap funding up to 40%.
The report is being sent to the Chief Ministers of all the states for use as a guideline document for integrated waste management. This report is expected to provide appropriate linkages to the new municipal solid waste rules being currently framed by MoEF and the national manual for solid waste management being revised by MoUD.
The Task Force was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr K Kasturirangan to identify technically feasible, financially affordable and environmentally sound processing and disposal technologies for MSW. It had also evaluated technological options, financial mechanisms and institutional arrangements to enhance resource recovery and promote waste-to-energy technologies.
Urban India currently generates 170,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day. Only 19% of this waste is treated and rest goes to dump sites causing serious problems to health and environment. The situation is assuming alarming proportions in the country.
The ‘Waste to energy’ report emphasises on setting up centralised or decentralised waste processing facilities keeping in view the quantity and quality of waste generated and financial viability of the processing technology.
The report provides guidance for the selection of appropriate technology and clearly indicates technologies that could be adopted by various classes of cities. It emphasises on converting the combustible waste into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to be used in power plants based on RDF.
The report strongly recommends Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a mode of service delivery to achieve the target set for Sustainable Waste Management. A model scheme has also been detailed for setting up waste-to-energy projects through PPP mode, including a viability gap funding up to 40%.
The report is being sent to the Chief Ministers of all the states for use as a guideline document for integrated waste management. This report is expected to provide appropriate linkages to the new municipal solid waste rules being currently framed by MoEF and the national manual for solid waste management being revised by MoUD.