10. WASTE

Introduction 10.1. The term ‘waste’ refers to all kinds of waste, whether generated during extraction of

raw materials, processing of raw materials into intermediate and final products, consumption

of final products, or other human activities, including municipal (residential, institutional,

commercial), agricultural, and social (health care, household hazardous waste, sewage

sludge). Waste management or waste disposal includes all the activities and actions such as

collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste from its inception to its final disposal.

Waste management also encompasses the legal and regulatory framework relating to waste

management together with monitoring and regulation. Waste management is intended to

reduce adverse effects of waste on health, environment or aesthetics.

10.2. In earlier times, the amount of waste generated by humans was insignificant because

of low population density and low levels of exploitation of natural resources. Besides, the

waste was mostly organic or biodegradable. The onset of industrialization, along with rapid

urbanization that followed, witnessed mushrooming of concentrated population centers

resulting in building up of waste or garbage. Industrialization led to economic growth and

prosperity triggering rise in income levels and spurt in consumption patterns. Industrialization

also led to exploitation of more and more natural resources, including mineral resources,

resulting in generation of more waste material a large portion of which was no longer

biodegradable. As industrialization progressed, proportion of non-biodegradable or even

hazardous substances, in the waste material increased.

10.3. The cardinal principle of waste management is waste minimization which is achieved

through three waste management strategies, namely, ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’. Efficient

waste management implies that all these three options are fully explored before taking action

for final disposal of waste. The first step towards waste management is to prevent the

generation of waste. Substantial portion of what we describe as waste may also be a valuable

resource. It is therefore necessary to assess the potential of such resource and make the best use of it

so that waste disposal can be minimized. Less waste means less pressure on natural resources and

lower carbon emissions. More waste means more pollution which puts more pressure on the planet's

ecosystems. The scientific community is in agreement that waste and pollution are

contributing to global warming, water stress, water scarcity, global habitat loss, biodiversity

loss as well as environmental degradation. One way to reduce pressure on the environment and to

preserve scarce resources is to divert waste before it gets to landfills.

10.4. Solid waste management has contributed to livelihood for many professionals

including rag pickers, street cleaners, door to door waste collectors, enforcing officers, policy

makers, non-government organizations, bulk waste processors, health inspectors, waste

recyclers, workers in waste disposal facilities, housekeeping and waste handling staff in

commercial/industrial establishments including health care establishments, waste dealers, etc.

This chapter makes an attempt to track various issues with respect to different waste streams

as on date.

10.5. Environmental systems play a fundamental role in determining economic output as

well as human well-being — providing resources and services. It also absorbs emissions and

wastes. However, the earlier concept of dilution as solution to pollution is no longer valid

considering the large volumes of waste generated now and their complex interrelation with

the ecosystems.

10.6. The status of waste management in the urban areas of Karnataka, as in other parts of

the country, has been by and large very poor. Most of the populated areas present a picture of

inadequately managed and uncontrolled dumpsites with poor, sometimes non-existent, waste

collection services. To the city/town administrators, waste management is an ongoing

challenge and they struggle due to weak institutions, poor infrastructure, chronic resource-

crunch and rapid urbanization. All these challenges and handicaps, along with the lack of

understanding of different factors that contribute to waste management, affect the treatment

of waste. The problem of waste management is also compounded by the lackadaisical attitude

of the common man who is not inclined to contribute his mite to the cause of waste

management and leaves the entire responsibility to the civic authorities. As a matter of fact,

implementation of environment related laws is yet to make an impact on Karnataka’s

ecosystems and therefore on the health and living conditions of its citizens. In many parts of

the state, the local bodies are unable to tackle the problems of pollution control, waste

management and nature protection.

10.7. India already has a number of legislations to strengthen the hands of the

administrators in matters relating to waste management. The major streams or types of waste

for the management of which India has legislation are given in Table-10.1.

Table-10.1: Major streams or types of waste for which India has legislation

Type of

waste

Applicable Legislation Impact

Hazardous

waste

Hazardous and Other

Wastes (Management and

Transboundary Movement)

Rules, 2016

Pollution

Fire hazard

Entry into food chain

Corrosion of material

Climate change

Food contamination

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Habitat loss and affect flora/fauna

Bio-magnification

Loss of soil fertility

Biomedical

Waste

Bio-Medical Waste

Management Rules, 2016 Infection

Pollution

Climate change

Food contamination

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Habitat loss and affect flora/fauna

Plastic waste

Plastic Waste Management

Rules, 2016 Choking of sewerage and drainage

Choking of digestive system of

animals

Food contamination

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Habitat loss and affect flora/fauna

Lead acid

Battery

waste

The Batteries (Management

and Handling) Rules, 2001 Pollution

Lead poisoning

Food contamination

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Habitat loss and affect flora/fauna

Construction

and

demolition

waste

Construction and

Demolition Waste

Management Rules, 2016

Pollution

Choking of sewerage and drainage

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Habitat loss and affect flora/fauna

Bio-magnification

Loss of soil fertility

Municipal

Solid waste

Solid Waste Management

Rules, 2016 [ Pollution

Choking of sewerage and drainage

Impact on health

Climate change

Choking of sewerage and drainage

Choking of digestive system of

animals

Resource depletion

Street dog menace

Rodent menace

Habitat loss and affect flora/fauna

Fire hazard

Entry into food chain

Corrosion of material

Food contamination

Bio-magnification

Loss of soil fertility

Infection

E-waste

e-waste (Management)

Rules, 2016 Impact on health

Pollution

Resource depletion

Radioactive

waste

Atomic Energy (Safe

Disposal Of Radioactive

Wastes) Rules, 1987

Impact on health

Pollution

Resource depletion

Affect flora/fauna

Fly ash Flyash Notification by

MoEF&CC dtd. 14th

September, 1999

Impact on health

Pollution

Resource depletion

Affect flora/fauna

10.8. The major streams or types of waste for the management of which India is yet to have

specific legislation are given in Table-10.2.

Table-10.2

Major streams or types of waste for which India is yet to have specific legislation

Type of waste Impact

End of life vehicle (ELV) Pollution

Choking of sewerage and drainage

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Food waste Pollution

Choking of sewerage and drainage

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Dog menace

Rodent menace

Slaughter house waste Pollution

Choking of sewerage and drainage

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Dog menace

Rodent menace

Loss of indigenous species

Infection

Impact on biodiversity

Bottom ash Pollution

Disaster waste Pollution

Obstruction to sewerage, drainage and roads

Impact on health

Resource depletion

Dog menace

Rodent menace

Infection

10.9. The impact of waste disposal on flora and fauna is given in Box 10.1.

Box 10.1 Impact of waste on flora and fauna

Karnataka is blessed with very rich biodiversity with varieties of flora and fauna. Population

explosion, industrialization and urbanization have resulted in numerous waste streams which

affect flora and fauna. While the fly-ash and dust particles cover leaves reducing photosynthesis

and respiration, plastic waste in soil hinders the nutrient absorption capacity by plants.

Indiscriminate burning of waste emits numerous toxic gases which directly impact the health of

animals and plants. The leachate from waste dump is absorbed by plants resulting in their

malformation or death. Toxic substances absorbed by plants are passed on to herbivores and

subsequently to carnivores resulting in bio-magnification. Contaminated or poisonous waste

dumped in or near forest is harmful to animals who may feed on such waste. The menace of

plastic on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem has been well documented. Plastic covers and articles

affect photosynthesis of aquatic plants by obstructing sunlight. Plastic materials choke digestive

system in fauna when ingested.

10.10. Provisions of waste management in various legislations are indicated in Box 10.2. It

must however be added that in spite of these provisions, there are gaps between the objectives

of the laws and their implementation. Various factors such as inadequate budgetary support,

weak institutions, lack of infrastructure, public apathy, etc. come in the way of proper

implementation of the laws.

Box 10.2 Provisions of Waste Management in various legislations

Historically, public nuisance is governed by Indian Penal Code under Sections 278, 290,

291 reproduced below:

278. Making atmosphere noxious to health.—Whoever voluntarily vitiates the atmosphere

in any place so as to make it noxious to the health of persons in general dwelling or

carrying on business in the neighbourhood or passing along a public way, shall be

punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

290. Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for.—Whoever

commits a public nuisance in any case not otherwise punishable by this Code, shall be

punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.

291. Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue.—Whoever repeats or

continues a public nuisance, having been enjoined by any public servant who has lawful

authority to issue such injunction not to repeat or continue such nuisance, shall be

punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with

fine, or with both.

Section 346 (F) of the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964 impose responsibility on

Industrial Township Authority as reproduced below:

364(F). Functions and duties of Industrial Township Authority.- It shall be incumbent on

the Authority to make adequate provision by any means or resources which it may lawfully

use or take for each of the following matters within the Industrial Township, namely:- (1)

Regulation and construction of buildings; (2) Planning for economic and social

development; (3) Roads and bridges; (4) Water supply for domestic, industrial and

commercial purposes; (5) Public, health, sanitation, conservancy and solid waste

management and fire services; (6) Urban forestry, protection of environment and

promotion of ecological aspects; (7) Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of

society, including handicapped and mentally retarded and improvement of slums.

The State enacted series of waste management related legislations since notification of the

Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 which underwent several

changes before taking present day shape. The other legislations pertaining to lead acid

battery, plastic waste, biomedical waste, municipal solid waste management and e-waste

also went through series of changes from 1989 to till date.

Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000 brought further changes in

the system. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) notified Municipal Solid Waste

(Prohibition of Littering and Regulation of Segregation, Collection, Processing &

Disposal) Rules, 2012 on 01-10-2012.

The Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976 amended in 2013 added Schedule-XIII

to said act fixed fine for certain activities.

Rapid urbanisation and waste management

10.11. Rapid urbanization has escalated the problems of waste management due to

heterogeneous nature of waste, lack of awareness among the public, lack of appropriate

infrastructure, disintegrated and unscientific approach of waste management, etc. (Fig. 10.1).

10.12. Urbanization which is caused by development (industrialization/economic activities)

as well as migration results in generation of waste, increase in pollution level and

environmental degradation (Fig. 10.2).

Fig. 10.2 Relation between development, migration and waste

Development

Migration

Demand for fresh water, air, food, shelter, energy, transportation, goods, services

Waste/pollution/

environmental degradation

Creation of infrastructure

Fig. 10.1 Waste choking drains

in Bengaluru

10.13. The positive net migration rate for high-income states like Haryana, Maharashtra,

Punjab as well as Gujarat has gone down as per the 2011 Census, compared to the 2001

Census. Some states, namely Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka, have recorded highest net

gain (Table-10.3). Historical trends in most industrial economies show that resource use and

waste generation are linked to economic activity. But it is possible to de-link economic

growth from resource use through resource efficiency.

Table-10.3: Net Inter-state Migration Rate (Per 100 of population) for Major States during

1991-2011

State Census, 1991-01 National Sample

Survey, 2007-08

Census, 2001-11

(estimated)

Andra Pradesh -0.31 -0.87 -2.02

Assam -0.69 -0.50 -2.21

Bihar -2.67 -5.64 -3.39

Gujarat 1.67 1.63 1.64

Haryana 4.07 3.52 2.01

Himachal Pradesh 0.98 - -0.40

Jammu and Kashmir -0.42 -1.24 0.37

Karnataka 0.29 0.97 1.88

Kerala -0.57 -4.43 -5.41

Madhya Pradesh -0.04 -0.68 0.48

Maharastra 3.02 1.10 2.70

Orissa -0.65 -1.26 -0.55

Punjab 1.66 1.27 0.77

Rajastan -0.59 -0.93 -1.34

Tamil Nadu -0.68 -1.42 4.92

Uttar Pradesh -2.04 -3.10 -1.94

West Bengal 0.37 1.34 -0.50

India 0.09 -0.26 -0.33

Source: Avijit Mistri (2015)

10.14. For want of adequate protection and safeguards, large volumes of waste generated in

urban areas ultimately find entry into lakes, rivers and ocean, besides nearby forest (Fig.

10.3). It is quite common to come across large dumps of solid waste in the peripheral areas of

cities and towns (Fig. 10.4) which result in air pollution and leachate (Fig.10.5). Some of the

waste dumps are covered with a layer of soil (Fig. 10.6) to mitigate the impacts to some

extent. However, attempts at waste management are by and large half hearted. The reasons

for inadequate attention given to urban waste management could be many, but considering

the serious impact it has on the natural environment and human health, immediate and drastic

action for improvement in waste management is absolutely necessary.

10.15. Proper disposal of radioactive wastes which are generated in small quantities in

nuclear power plants is very important for the safety of human health as well as the

environment. As per information hosted in the website of the Department of Atomic Energy

(DAE, 2017), the low and intermediate level nuclear waste containing radioactive substances

Fig. 10.3 Waste discarded in

Doresanipalya forest,

Bengaluru

Fig. 10.4 Waste dump Mandoor in

Bengaluru

Fig. 10.5 Leachate collection at

Mandoor, Begaluru

Fig. 10.6 Landfill at Mandoor in

Bengaluru after covering with soil

generated at nuclear power plants is processed by fixing it in materials like cement, polymers,

glass, etc. The solidified waste is then stored in specially fabricated double walled high

integrity stainless steel containers. These containers are stored inside a high integrity concrete

pit at each of the nuclear power plant site. Such facilities are located at all the nuclear power

stations, namely, Kalpakkam (Tamilnadu), Tarapur (Maharashtra), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan),

Narora (Uttar Pradesh), Kakrapar (Gujarat) and Kaiga (Karnataka). The quantity of low as

well as intermediate level waste to be stored at site during the life time is within 0.15 cubic

meter/year/MW.

Municipal solid waste

10.16. Management of municipal solid waste is one of the basic functions of the

Municipalities. However, for effective waste management, the generators of waste have a

responsible role to play and it is necessary to drive home this concept to all the stakeholders.

The heritage city of Mysuru bagged the prestigious ‘Cleanest City’ in India award for two

consecutive years (2015 and 2016) before it moved to fifth spot in 2017. This achievement

has been possible due to proactive efforts of the Mysuru Mahanagara Palike (Mysuru City

Corporation) with unstinted support from the citizens of Mysuru. The Swachh Survekshan

2017 (Cleanliness survey) listed 27 urban local bodies of Karnataka in the list - Mysuru-5,

Mangaluru-63, Udupi-143, Shivamogga-147, Mandya-148, Tumkuru-152, Gadag Betagiri-

167, Hubbali-Dharwad-199, Bagalkot-203, Bengaluru-210, Bhadravati-217, Ranebennur-

220, Chikmagalur-225, Hasan-227, Belagavi-248, Bellary-283, Davanagere-288, Kalaburagi-

294, Vijayapura-312, Bidar-315, Hospet-317, Raichur-328, Chitradurga-337, Robertsonpet-

347, Kolar-373, Gangavati-381, Badami-388. The above rating by the Ministry of Urban

Development, GOI, included 423 cities which cover 72 per cent of the urban population of

the country.

10.17. The past two decades have witnessed unprecedented massive growth in roads, sky

scrapers, gated communities, vehicles and immigration for which the state was not prepared

in terms of infrastructure required for management of waste. As a result, a condition was

imposed to the new gated communities to manage their own waste (Fig. 10.7).

10.18. Another development that took place in the cities was introduction of the system of

door-to-door collection of waste which replaced the earlier system of collection from waste

bins which were placed throughout the city. Dry waste collection centers (Fig. 10.8) were

established in various parts of the city to facilitate quicker and more efficient removal of dry

waste.

Fig. 10.7 Waste processing unit

in one gated community in

Bangaluru

10.19. In response to the demand for infrastructure and with an objective to improve the

quality of solid waste management (SWM) services in the limits of Bruhat Bengaluru

Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Government of Karnataka decided to establish facilities for

processing, treatment and disposal of solid waste. Such facilities (Fig. 10.9) have been

established in six locations besides upgrading the plant managed by the Karnataka Compost

Development Corporation (KCDC). These plants can handle about 2,300 tonnes per day

(TPD) of waste. The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation

(KUIDFC) have engaged consultants for the preparation of DPRs for treatment and disposal

facilities under the technical assistance component of the World Bank aided Karnataka

Municipal Reforms Project (KMRP). All necessary waste processing equipment and

machineries and waste handling vehicles have been procured.

10.20. There are totally 271 Urban Local Bodies(ULBs) in the State [BBMP, 10 city

corporations (CC), 57 city municipal councils (CMC), 113 town municipal councils (TMC)

and 90 town panchayaths (TP)]. As per the Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) Rules, all the

ULBs are responsible for development of any infrastructure required for collection, storage,

segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of municipal solid wastes.

10.21. Table-10.4 provides the quantities of municipal solid waste generation, collection and

treatment in Karnataka. However, lack of data and its variation in the definitions of wastes as

well as variance in waste collection across cities/time, present too much uncertainty in the

trends of waste generation and disposal.

Table-10.4: Quantities of Municipal Solid Waste generation, collection and treatment

Municipal solid

Waste MT/ day

1999-2000

Generated in Class – I cities (TPD) 3,118

Generated in Class – II Towns (TPD) 160

Total Generated (TPD) 3,278

Fig. 10.8 Dry waste Collection

center at Koramangala, Bengaluru

Fig. 10.9 solid waste processing,

treatment and disposal facilities

Municipal solid

Waste MT/ day

(2009-12)

Generated (TPD) 6,500

Collected (TPD) 2,100

Treated (TPD) 2,100

Source: CPCB (2017)

10.22. Table-10.5 provides the details of the mechanical composting facilities in Bengaluru

and their current status.

Table-10.5: Details of the mechanical composting facilities and their current status

Name of the

Location

Extent(acres)

Capacity(TPD)

Status as on

31.03.2016

Lingadheeranahalli 11 200 Commissioned

Doddabidarkal 9 200 Commissioned

Kannahalli 23.75 500 Commissioned

Seegehalli 7 200 Commissioned

Subbarayanapalya 9.34 200 Commissioned

Chikkanagamangala 15.3 500 To be commissioned

KCDC, Kudlu 30 500 Processing of 200

TPD of waste

using existing

facility is in

progress

Upgradation

works underway

Funds allocated for solid waste management (SWM)

10.23. Under the State Budget, Rs.51.82 crore was provided during the year 2013-14. A sum

of Rs.75 crore was exclusively released during the year 2014-15 to ULBs of the state for

SWM purposes. A sum of Rs.45 crore was allocated in 2015-16. Under Swachh Bharat

Mission, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), GOI has allocated Rs.512.52 crore as

central share for SWM in 219 ULBs of Karnataka including BBMP (Department of

Planning,Programme Monitoring & Statistics, Government of Karnataka).

The provisions of Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act, 1976 empowered Corporations to

levy SWM cess on every owner or occupier of buildings or lands or both in the city and prescribed the

rate of cess on plinth area basis. The rates for collection of SWM cess (March 2004) ranged from a

minimum of Rs. 10 per month for a residential building of plinth area up to 1,000 square feet (sqft) to

a maximum cess rate of Rs. 600 per month for hotels, kalyanamantapas, etc., with plinth area

exceeding 50,000 sqft(Table 10.6)(CAG, 2014).

From the year 2011-12 onwards, the payment of SWM cess was linked to property tax returns. BBMP

realised `66.54 crore as user charges during 2011-13, which was only 17 per cent of the projected

Operation & Maintenance (O&M) cost (`402.34 crore). This resulted in extra burden on BBMP in

meeting these expenses at the cost of creating infrastructure facilities. Actual collection ofuser

charges during 2011-13 was 73 per cent of the collection proposed (`90.62 crore) in Detailed Project

Report (CAG, 2014).

BBMP had notified (February 2011) that cess will be collected with property tax. As the property tax

returns were not filed in respect of BBMP-rented properties, these properties did not pay SWM cess.

Table-10.6: Rates of maximum cess payable (category wise)

Category Plinth areas Cess payable per

month

Commercial building 5,000 sq.ft and above Rs. 200

Industrial building 5,000 sq.ft and above Rs. 300

Hotels, kalyanamantapas and nursing homes 50,000 sqft and above Rs. 600

Source: CAG (2016)

BBMP had not envisaged any other mechanism to collect SWM cess from such properties.

Audit scrutiny showed that there were 4,214 BBMP-rented market shops in the test-checked

zones which did not pay SWM cess of Rs. 50.57 lakh for the period 2011-13, considering the

minimum rate of Rs. 50 per month per shop due to deficiency in the BBMP notification,

(CAG, 2014).

There was no provision of a field for the number of units, in the property tax module. As a

result, an assessee having multi-unit residential/commercial complex was liable to pay cess

as a single entity irrespective of the number of units. Thus, the cess leviable was not

proportionate to the number of units and denied BBMP the actual cess amount due (CAG,

2014).

SWM cess was not paid by places of worship as they were exempt from payment of property

tax and service charges (CAG, 2014).

It was also seen that though KMC Act provided for levy and collection of SWM cess on land,

no specific rate was fixed (AG, 2014).

There was no provision in the KMC Act to collect SWM cess on generation of bulk quantities

of wastes during special occasions (social, religious, commercial and political

functions/activities) and from traders not occupying buildings (hawkers, pavement vendors,

etc.) (CAG, 2014).

Though there was a provision in BBMP property tax rules for collection of penal interest on

belated payment of property tax, no such clause existed for levying penal interest on belated

payment of SWM cess (CAG 2014).

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had entered (June 2005) into an agreement with

Srinivasa Gayathri Resources Recovery Limited (SGRRL) for establishing an integrated Waste to

Energy project at Mandur village, near Bengaluru. Even after 12 years from inception and spending

Rs. 73.34 crore, the integrated Waste to Energy project did not fructify (September 2015) defeating

the objective of scientific disposal of solid waste apart from non-realisation of the incremental

addition in generation of power from a renewable energy source(CAG 2016).

10.24. The status of Solid Waste Management in Karnataka as on 31st March 2016 is as

follows:

Total no. of ULBs in Karnataka

(Excluding BBMP &5 NACs) 213

No. of ULBs possessing landfill sites 207

No. of ULBs which are yet to procure landfill sites

(Devanahalli, Vijayapura, Dandeli & Kolar) 4

No. of ULBs having common landfill sites

(Ullala TMC in Mangalore CC & Saligrama TP in Udupi CMC) 2

No. of ULBs in which basic infrastructures at landfill sites are established 191

No. of ULBs in which sanitary landfill facilities are developed (Mangalore,

Belgaum, Udupi, Shimoga, Karwar, Puttur, Kundapur, Kalaburagi,

Bellary, Bagalkot, Mudhol, Chitradurga and Mysuru)

13

No. of ULBs in which composting facilities such as Windrow platforms /

vermi sheds are constructed / being constructed 155

Number of ULBs in which Door to Door collection of waste is carried out

(partially) 205

Number of ULBs in which segregation is started (partially in few wards) 106

10.25. In order to operate and maintain these plants, Private Operators have been appointed

through a “Performance Based Management Contract” for carrying out day-to-day operations

in an efficient and effective manner.

10.26. As per ‘Status Report on Municipal Solid Waste Management’ published by CPCB,

the key issues relating to management of MSW in the country are as follows:

(i) There is no comprehensive short and long term plan with municipal authorities to

handle MSW in accordance with the MSW Rules, 2000.

(ii) Majority of the municipal authorities do not have preparedness to set up waste

processing and disposal facilities.

(iii) Waste management is being looked either for making wealth or generate revenue;

or otherwise is allowed to putrefy in cities/towns.

(iv) Cities and towns, in future, will not get wastelands for further dumping of wastes.

In fact, there will be a need to go for ‘total’ recycling and re-use of waste and aim

for negligible or ‘Zero Waste’ for land filling.

Observation made in Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Local Bodies for the year ended March 2013 10.27. “Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike discharges its obligatory function of solid

waste management as per the provisions of Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976. A

performance audit of solid waste management in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike

showed, inter alia, the absence of a notified policy for solid waste management, resulting in

lack of direction for effective management and scientific disposal of waste. Absence of

reliable and complete data about quantum of waste generated in the city, non preparation of

contingency plan and inadequate institutional mechanism rendered waste management

programmes ineffective. Consequently, the main objectives of minimising the burden on the

landfills, as envisaged in Municipal Solid Waste Rules and prevention of environmental

degradation were not achieved. Inadequate operational controls resulted in weak financial

management, leading to unfruitful and excess expenditure as well as diversion of funds.

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had lost the assistance of `280.17 crore due to delay

in preparation of master plan. Efficiency in collection of waste was poor and no efforts had

been made to promote waste segregation. Lack of scientific processing facilities at landfill

sites and noncompliance with the rules resulted in open dumping of mixed wastes leading to

environmental pollution. Adequate efforts to mobilise revenue resources through user

charges were not made to meet the cost of operation and maintenance for waste

management. Cases of improprieties in contract management of works relating to waste

management wherein payment of `630.28 crore made to contractors for packages and

additional works were also observed. Lack of monitoring by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara

Palike and Urban Development Department resulted in unscientific disposal of wastes posing

potential public health hazards (CAG, 2014).”

Plastic Waste 10.28. The Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Government of Karnataka, vide

Notification No. FEE 17 EPC 2012, Bangalore Dated 11.03.2016 and in exercise of the

powers conferred under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, issued directions imposing

ban on manufacture, supply, sale and use of plastic carry-bags, plastic banners, flex, plastic

flags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic spoons, cling films and plastic sheets used for

spreading on dining table including the above items made out of thermocol and plastic which

use plastic micro beads in Karnataka. However, exemption has been given to plastic carry

bags manufactured exclusively for export against export orders located in a special economic

zone and export oriented units. The state has also exempted plastic used for milk and milk

products, apart from those which constitute an "integral part of packaging in which goods are

sealed prior to use at manufacturing/processing units”. The exemption is also extended to use

of plastic in horticulture and nurseries for raising plants/seedlings on indents from

government departments.

10.29. Most of the plastic waste is disposed through recycling (Fig.10.10), road making,

processing and rest is either unattended or left to enter waste piles/waste dumps. Apart from

disposal of waste generated in Karnataka, waste from Goa is being disposed in M/s. ACC,

Wadi and Vasvadatta cement works for co-processing of plastic waste generated in the state

of Goa (GSPCB, 2013).

Observations made in Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Local Bodies for the year ended March 2013

10.30. Audit by comptroller and auditor general of India observed the following in respect of plastic

wastes for the year ended in March 2013 (CAG 2016):

a) During joint physical verification of landfills, huge quantities of plastics were seen dumped at the

sites without recovering the plastic for channelisation to recyclers.

Fig. 10.10 Plastic recycling unit

in Bengaluru

b) Segregation of waste was minimal and the processing of plastics was done only in two out of ten

landfills.

c) Under the principle of Extended Producer’s Responsibility (EPR) plastic manufacturers should

finance the establishment of plastic waste collection centers but no action was taken by BBMP in this

regard.

d) Plastic rules were not incorporated in the Municipal bye laws of BBMP.

Bio Medical Waste

10.31. The income of the health care sector in Karnataka is projected to shoot up to US$ 30

billion by 2020 from the current income of about US$5 billion (Techspirit, 2015). This

projection has been made in view of large numbers of hospital admissions for health-related

problems many of which can be attributed to pollution and indiscriminate disposal of waste in

addition to numerous injury-related cases due to accidents. In addition to large numbers of

multispecialty hospitals, one is not be surprised in Bengaluru to see self-proclaimed health

treatment centers run in makeshift tents (Fig. 10.11) adjacent to busy roads in the heart of the

city.

10.32. The quantum of biomedical waste generated in India is estimated to be 1-2 kg per bed per day

in a hospital and 600 gm per bed per day in a clinic. About 85% of the hospital waste is non-

hazardous and the remaining 15% is infectious or hazardous.

10.33. Recycling is an indicator of community commitment to share the responsibility for

environmental stewardship. But biomedical waste should not be recycled considering the

impact on human health. Reusing containers of chemicals and pathological samples for

plastic cups or spoons is not a welcome idea and so also is using contaminated cotton to make

ear-buds and toys. Even though there is lack of evidence and no history of punishment, the

practice cannot be ruled out considering that cheap toys/ear-buds/plastic items are sold in the

foot paths and road joints in Bengaluru and other cities.

10.34. Mixing of hazardous waste results in contamination and it makes the entire waste

hazardous. Hence it is necessary to segregate hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste and

treat these wastes separately. Improper disposal increases risk of infection, encourages

recycling of prohibited disposables and disposed drugs and encourages development of

resistant micro-organisms (PIB, 2016).

10.35. Karnataka is one among five states in India which have been chosen for Global

Environment Facility (GEF)-financed project, namely, “Environmentally Sound Management

of Medical Waste in India” to be implemented in 28 healthcare facilities and one model

district each in Karnataka, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Odisha. Mysuru district has

been taken up as a model district for implementing the project.

10.36. The Bio-medical waste generated from the Health Care establishments is being monitored in

accordance with the provisions of the Bio Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules 1998. The

KSPCB has identified 27,746 health care establishments and the Drugs Control department has

identified 26,658 pharmaceutical stores (Table-10.7) in the State. It is estimated that 52 tonnes of

biomedical waste is generated in the State per day, which either are sent to 25 common bio-medical

waste treatment facilities in the State or are disposed in the captive facilities (KSPCB, 2016).

Table-10.7: Supply chain with respect to Pharmaceutical and cosmetic goods

Particulars 2011-12 (31-03-2012)

Number of Manufacturers in the State

Regular license 230

Loan Licenses 272

Cosmetic Licenses 059

Cosmetic Loan Licenses 024

Re packing Licenses 005

Approved Laboratories 015

Blood Banks 176

Blood Storage Centers 103

Number of Sales premises in the State 26,658

Source: Drugs Control Department (2017)

10.37. Not all blood collected (Table 10.8) is used for administering to needy patients.

Outdated blood has to be disposed of as medical waste. During 2015-16, 64,361 blood units

were disposed of out of which 32,644 units were ‘outdated’ (Niranjan, 2017).

Table-10.8: Blood collection units

Year

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

(Apr-Dec)

Total blood

units collection

6,14,787 5,94,512

6,60,138 6,94,151 7,54,485 4,83,681

Blood units

collected from

voluntary

donors

3,78,933 3,93,694 4,35,258 4,08,974 5,19,260 3,45,992

Source: DPPMSGoK (2016)

10.38. Biomedical waste is generated right from child/animal birth and subsequently at all

stages of diagnosis, immunization, treatment and research. During 2014-15, 28.45 lakhs

artificial inseminations were done in the state resulting in birth of 6.30 lakh calves. The total

weight of placenta (considering weight of placenta as 4kg/birth) for the year 2014-15 was

25,20,000 kg (2,520 tonnes). The figure for humans for the said year was 55, 88, 390 kg

(5,588 tonnes) (Table-10.9).

Fig. 10.11 Make shift health

care establishment on foot path

of Bengaluru

Table-10.9: Estimation of quantity of waste from child birth

Year Birth

rate

Birth considering base population

of 61,095,297

Weight of placenta (@0.5

kg/birth)

2011 18.8 11482156 5741078

2012 18.5 11298930 5649465

2013 18.3 11176779 5588390

2014 18.3 11176779 5588390

2015 18.3 11176779 5588390

Source :Source: DPPMSGoK (2016)

Observation made in Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Local Bodies for the year ended March 2013

10.39. Audit scrutiny of BMW Registers for the period from December 2010 to March 2013

showed that there were 1,051 instances when BMW had not been collected on a daily basis

from 24 Referral hospitals/maternity homes. Untreated BMW had not been collected up to six

days, which was in violation of BMW Rules.

Electronic Waste 10.40. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has authorized 50 units for

recycling (Fig. 10.12) and dismantling of e-waste of capacity 44,680.5 MTPA. These

recyclers help in re-use and recovery of resources and reduction of waste to the landfill sites.

Table-10.10 gives major bulk consumers excluding school/college/corporate offices.

Table-10.10: Major bulk consumers

Sl. No. Bulk Consumers Number Source

Type Subtype

1. Karnataka

State

government

office

Departments 38 GOK (2017a)

2. Boards &

Corporations

16 GOK (2017b)

3. Central

government

offices

157 Central government welfare

coordination committee

(2009)

4. Universities State 18 Education information (2017)

5. Central 1

6. Deemed 15

7. Banks 46 Tax information network of

income tax department(2017)

8. Airport International 1 Airport Authority India

(2017) 9. Customs 1

10. Domestic 3

11. Ports 10 Department of Ports and

Internal Water Transport

(2017)

12. Railways 1

13. Software

companies

3500

MSME-Development

Institute (2016)

14. Technical

institutes

589 Department of Planning,

Programme Monitoring &

Statistics

Government of

Karnataka(2016)

15. Medical

Colleges

50 Department of Planning,

Programme Monitoring &

Statistics

Government of

Karnataka(2016)

10.41. The E - Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 (Replaced by the E-waste

(Management) Rules 2016) are yet to see full compliance by the manufacturers and producers

of electronic equipment with respect to the following responsibilities.

1. Sufficiency of information on Website;

2. Ease of accessibility to information;

3. Information provided in the booklet of product;

4. Take-back system;

5. Compliance of products to Restriction of Hazardous Substances(RoHS);

6. Collection centres in all states/UTs;

7. Authorization under the the E - Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011;

8. Submission of Annual returns under E-waste Rules, 2011 for the year 2014-15;

9. Establishment of collection Points;

10. Conducting awareness campaigns; and

11. Tie up with an authorised recycler for environmentally sound recycling and disposal

of e-waste collected through Take back programme.

Slaughter House Waste

10.42. As per Rule 2 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001

“Slaughter house” means a slaughter house wherein 10 or more than 10 animals are

slaughtered per day and duly licensed or recognised under a Central, State or Provisional Act

or any rules or regulations made there under.

10.43. According to the report of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) (1992), Karnataka

has 633 abattoirs. The quantities of waste generated as per guidelines are 110-125 kg/ton live

weight killed (TLWK) from poultry slaughtering, 30-50 kg/TKLD from pig slaughtering,

Fig. 10.12 e-waste recycling unit

yet to commission

167-173 kg/TKLD from goat and sheep slaughtering and 250-320 kg/TKLD from bovine

slaughtering.

10.44. As per the guidelines dated 05-02-2014 for Slaughter Houses issued by Karnataka

State Pollution Control Board:

1. The slaughter houses shall be treated like food industry.

2. Similar to any industrial plant, slaughter house should have proper treatment plant for

waste water and control equipment for the air emissions from the various sources.

3. New slaughter house shall be located in accordance with CPCB guidelines i.e. outside

or on periphery of the city/town and shall be away from the Airport. Main services

such as water, electricity and waste disposal facility are prerequisite.

4. The slaughter houses shall be located preferably at aerial distance of 1 kilometre away

from solid waste management processing facility/land fill site identified and not less

than 500 meters away from common waste facility like STP/ETP/CBMWTP to

prevent menace from birds and stray animals which are mainly responsible for

spreading infectious diseases.

5. The slaughter houses shall be provided with green belt with at least 5 rows of tall trees

all along the boundary

6. The existing slaughter houses, if operating within the core area of the town / city,

shall provide treatment plant and control equipments and may discharge the effluent

to the area specified in the consent issued by the KSPCB from time to time.

10.45. But considering the current scenario the reality is far from the statutory and scientific

requirements. Many animals are slaughtered within the meat shops to cater to the growing

need of the non-vegetarian community (Table-10.11, Table-10.12). As per (DPPMS,GoK,

2016) Karnataka has witnessed decline in consumption of Livestock and increase in

consumption of Poultry.

Table 10.11: Livestock and poultry statistics in Karnataka

Particulars Livestock census number in crore Percentage change in

2012 over 2007 2003 2007 2012

Cattle 0.95 1.05 0.95 -9.52

Buffalo 0.40 0.43 0.35 -18.60

Goat & Sheep 0.18 1.57 1.44 -8.28

Other Livestock 0.30 0.24 0.16 -33.33

Total live stock 2.83 3.29 2.9 -11.85

Poultry 2.44 4.24 5.34 25.94

Source: DPPMSGoK (2016)

Table-10.12: Meat production from 2011-120 to 2015-16 (in Tons)

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 (up to

Dec 2015)

Percentage change in

2014-15 over 2013-14

139553 166059 169894 181312 177323 6.72

Source: DPPMSGoK (2016)

10.46. In order to achieve scientific disposal of waste generated in slaughter houses, modern

abattoirs are planned in major cities of the state. There is a proposal for establishing modern abattoirs

at nine urban local bodies to be executed in a time bound manner by the local bodies.

10.47. Rapidly growing waste from meat and food items has resulted in the increase in street dog

population; incidents of attack of children by these dogs have become very common. Apart from

slaughtering in slaughter houses and meat shops, animals are also butchered at individual

residences and places of worship and the waste is disposed of unscientifically. Box 10.3

provides legislations about killing of animals.

Box 10.3 Legislations restricting killing of animals

10.48. As many as 60 dog bite cases were reported in the KC General Hospital, Bengaluru on

a single day in Bangalore in November 2009. This is apart from the average number of 20 to

25 cases reported daily in each government-run and BBMP hospital. Bites by pets are fewer

than stray dog bites. Between April and December 2006, there were 13,419 cases of dog bites

out of which pet dogs accounted for 41 per cent or 5,544 cases (Ravi Sharma, 2007). During

June 2009, there were 1,106 stray dog bites and 820 pet dog bites. The numbers during July,

As per Section 428 of the Indian Penal Code 1860

Mischief by killing or maiming animal of the value of ten rupees.—Whoever

commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any

animal or animals of the value of ten rupees or upwards, shall be punished

with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two

years, or with fine, or with both.

As per Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code 1860

Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the

value of fifty rupees.—Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning,

maiming or rendering useless, any elephant, camel, horse, mule, buffalo, bull,

cow or ox, whatever may be the value thereof, or any other animal of the

value of fifty rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of

either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or

with both.

As per Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Act, 1960,

person treating animals cruelly shall be punishable in the case of a first

offence, with fine which shall not be less than ten rup6es but which may

extend to fifty rupees and in the case of a second or subsequent offence

committed within three years of the previous offence, with fine which shall not

be less than twenty-five rupees but which may extend, to one hundred rupees

or with imprisonment for a term which may extend, to three months, or with

both.

Nothing in this section shall apply to –

(a) the dehorning of cattle, or the castration or branding or noseroping of any

animal in the prescribed manner, or

(b) the destruction of stray dogs in lethal chambers by such other methods as

may be prescribed or

(c) the extermination or destruction of any animal under the authority of any

law for the time being in force; or

(d) any matter dealt with in Chapter IV; or (e) the commission or omission of

any act in the course of the destruction or the preparation for destruction of

any animal as food for mankind unless such destruction or preparation was

accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.

August and September, 2009 were stray dogs bites (807, 729 and 674 persons) as against pet

dog bites (609, 660 and 623 persons) respectively (Hindu 2009). As per 19th Livestock

Census 2012, there were 1.03 lakh stray dogs in Bengaluru City and 34,125 in Bengaluru

Rural. However, NGOs such as CUPA and Sarvodaya Sevabhavi Samstha estimate that the

number could be as high as 3.5 lakh (both urban and rural) (Sarumathi, 2017).

10.49. As animal birth control measures have not been very effective in Bengaluru, dogs are

multiplying at an alarming rate. The city’s decaying garbage problem has made waste dumps

a favorite haunt for dogs (Deccan Chronicle, 2017). BBMP had brought out ‘Guidelines for

the grant of compensation to the victims of attacks by stray dog/s.’ in order to compensate

victims of attacks by stray dogs.

Observation made in Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Local Bodies for the year ended March 2013

10.50. There are three slaughter houses functioning under the jurisdiction of BBMP. About 18.95

lakh animals were slaughtered in these three slaughter houses during the period 2009-13 and animal

waste generated during this period ranged from 7 to 8.25 MT per day. The details for 2008-09 had

not been furnished to Audit. On the directions (August 2002) of the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka

to relocate slaughter houses to the outskirts of city limits, BBMP had purchased(July 2005 and

August 2006), from Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), 40.68 acres of land at

Iggalur for a sum of `2.24 crore. However, the construction of modern abattoir at Iggalur could not

be taken up due to public protests. BBMP then purchased (November 2009) another 40 acres of land

from KIADB at Harohalli for `24 crore, besides paying a sum of `93.51 lakh as penal interest for

delayed payment. However, the project at Harohalli was also not completed due to public protests.

Thus, the expenditure of `27.18 crore incurred on purchasing lands at Iggalur/Harohalli has

remained unfruitful (January 2014) and slaughter houses continue to function within the city limits.

The civil slaughter house at Tannery Road is the oldest slaughter house operating since 1920. The

authorisation and consent granted (October 2008) by KSPCB to operate this slaughter house was

valid up to June 2009. However, the authorisation was not renewed as KSPCB had pointed out

following persistent violations in the operation and maintenance of the slaughter house (CAG 2014):

The Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) constructed for treatment of wash water was not

working;

The untreated effluents were being discharged into BBMP storm water drains and foul smell

spread to the surrounding areas;

The sample analysis report of untreated effluent to the adjacent storm water drain showed

that total suspended solids had exceeded the stipulated standards;

The housekeeping near ETP was very poor; and

Solid waste, accumulated cow dung and other body parts of animals were not disposed off

properly. Despite opportunities given by KSPCB, BBMP did not comply with the conditions

stipulated by the Board. The slaughter house continued to operate without valid

authorisation. Finally, KSPCB issued (April 2013) prohibitory orders to prevent the

discharge of effluent outside the premises or into storm water drain. However, it was

observed during joint physical verification (July 2013) that the slaughter house was

functioning in insanitary conditions and the violations, as observed by KSPCB, still persisted.

Some of the photographs below taken during joint inspection confirm the audit contentions.

Hazardous waste

10.51. Most of the hazardous waste in the state comes from industries even though waste like

paint/pesticide/chemical bins from residential/institutional/agricultural activity contributes to

hazardous waste to some extent for which ready statistics are not available. About 3,832

operating industries are found to be generating Hazardous Waste of about 2.47 Lakh Metric

Tons annually in the State (Table-10.13).

Table-10.13: Details of total hazardous wastes generated and their disposal as on 30th

March 2016

Type Quantity

Landfillable 67,110.46

Incinerable 61,337.89

Recyclable 118765.99

Total 247,214.34

Source :KSPCB

10.52. The state has two Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF), 146 hazardous

waste recycling units (viz., reprocessing used oil, waste oil, spent solvents, spent etchant,

discarded containers, lead, copper, zinc waste, etc.), seven cement plants for co-processing,

and 812 battery handling units(Table-10.14).

Table-10.14: Summary of implementation of the Battery (Management and Handling)

Rules, Amendment 2010 as on 31.3.2016

Sl. No. Type of Categories Number

1 Manufacture 69

2 Dealer 255

3 Importers 147

4 Bulk Consumers 266

5 Auctioneers 17

6 Recyclers 58

Total 812

Construction and Demolition Waste 10.53. Rise in economy in India has also ushered in boom in the construction industry. It has

been growing at an annual rate of around 10 per cent over the last 10 years as against the

world average of 5.5 per cent per annum. Almost 70 per cent of the building stock in India is

yet to come up. The built-up area is expected to swell almost five times from 21 billion sq ft

in 2005 to approximately 104 billion sq ft by 2030 (CSE, 2014).

10.54. Demand for housing/infrastructure and subsequent activities generate huge quantities

of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Six-fold increase in population within a span of

a few decades has put huge demand on infrastructure and housing resulting in proportionate

increase in waste. There are also huge demolition activities (Fig. 10.13) to replace older

buildings with modern structures. BBMP has identified landfill sites for construction and

demolition waste at seven locations.

10.55. Globally, cities generate about 1.3 billion tonnes of solid waste per year. This volume

is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tonnes by 2025. Building materials account for about

half of all materials used and about half of the solid waste generated worldwide (CSE, 2014).

10.56. In India, although some valuable material is recovered from construction and

demolition (C&D) waste and some of it is used for filling, most of it gets disposed in landfills

or through unauthorized dumping in low lying areas, open spaces, road sides or water bodies

creating enormous nuisance and environmental problems. India requires a paradigm shift

from a dumping based approach to efficient utilization of C&D Waste. C&D Waste can be

recycled to replace natural building material; this is not only beneficial for the environment

but also results in substantial saving in costs and resources.

10.57. The normal rate of generation of C&D Waste from construction, repair and

demolition are 40 kg/sq.m, 50 kg/sq.m and 450 kg/sq.m respectively (GIZ, 2016). About

30% of C&D waste in India comprises of Bricks Masonry while 35 % constitutes soil, sand

and gravel (GIZ, 2016).

10.58. Construction and demolition is usually carried out by contractors meant for the

purpose. A portion of the waste is sold to dealers specialized in their trade. Many local

entrepreneurs are active in reusing the waste. Considering the magnitude of the problem,

Government of India notified Construction and Demolition (C &

D) Waste Management Rules, 2016. As per the rules, duties of C&D waste generator are

clearly defined. Further Central Pollution Control Board in 2017 has published Guidelines on

Environmental Management of Construction & Demolition (C&D) Wastes.

Best Practices

10.59. Any state or country cannot develop or manage environment in isolation with global

happenings. Many of the concepts, legislations and policies in developing countries are

influenced by or borrowed from abroad and adopted due to intervention of development

agencies. Industrial Emissions Directive (EU, 2010) of the European Union sets out

requirements for some 50,000 large industrial installations to avoid or minimize emissions

and waste. Similar approach in all sectors including government departments, hotel,

education, tourism, manufacturing, transportation and service sector is required to protect the

fragile ecosystem which is already under tremendous pressure.

10.60. Efficiency of any system depends on sufficiency of resources. Better waste

management needs better monitoring of waste generated. This requires enhancement and

improvement in manpower in the implementing, enforcement and monitoring wings. There is

also need for proper documentation at all levels.

Fig. 10.13 Demolition activity in

Bangalore

10.61. The environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis proposes that an economy tends to

degrade its environmental quality during its early economic growth, but that beyond a

threshold point in its economic augmentation, its environmental quality starts to improve as

per-capita income continues to grow (Van Alstine and Neumayer, 2009). While data with

respect to Karnataka is not sufficient to substantiate the hypothesis, the migration and

spending capacity of migrants play important parameters as the affluent migrants contribute

to waste generation while the poor migrants in slums may collect the waste for recycling.

10.62. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Cement Manufacturers

Association (CMA) is working on an initiative to facilitate use of urban and industrial waste

as Alternate Fuel and Raw Materials (AFR) in Indian cement industry; the main objective of

the project is to accelerate AFR initiatives in the country, leveraging the Cement sector,

through capacity building, data availability and facilitating exchange of waste by working

closely with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards

(PCB)(CII waste exchange, 2017).

10.63. 'Towards a circular economy — A zero waste programme for Europe’ proposed by

the European Commission (EC, 2014) breaks down the overarching aim of achieving a zero-

waste society into a set of more specific interim targets. As per the said communication, the

transition to a circular economy requires changes across consumption choices, supply chains,

including in product design, business models, and prevention and management of waste.

Adoption of similar policy in Karnataka would help to reduce impact of waste on

environment.

10.64. Between 2004 and 2010, Iceland and Norway reduced the amount of waste deposited

in landfills substantially. Better waste management has decreased pressures associated with

waste disposal, such as pollution from incineration or land filling. But it has also mitigated

pressures associated with extracting as well as processing new resources.

10.65. Without proper staff strength in enforcing agency it is not possible to achieve

objectives of the organization. Comparison of staff strength of a few Environmental Enforcing

Agencies is discussed in Box 10.4. There is urgent need to enhance the staff strength in proportion to

population of the state.

Box 10.4: Comparison of Staff Strength of a few Environmental Enforcing Agencies

Recommendations and Suggestions

10.66. Since the 1990s, the recognition of diffuse pressures from various sources has led to

an increased focus on the integration of environmental concerns in many developed countries

within sectoral policies, such as in transport or agriculture, with mixed results. Karnataka

needs to integrate waste policy with migration, industrialization, education, housing, tourism

and transportation.

10.67. Establishment of few collection centers in industrial, commercial and residential areas

for efficient collection of different categories of waste from smaller generators and

transferring the same to authorized recyclers may be considered.

10.68. Many organizations have to take multiple permits (consent, authorization,

registration) and file multiple returns. Hence single comprehensive legislation combining

different waste rules together would improve ease of business and reduce paper work.

10.69. Apart from these, interventions required to enhance waste management are outlined in

Table-10.15.

Environment agency (Environmental enforcing agency in England and Wales) has a strength of

about 1,900 people across England (Population: about 53 million) and Wales (population: 30.064

million) (Epanet 2017). USEPA of USA (Population: around 313 million) employs about 15,408

people (USEPA 2017). Swedish Environment Protection Agency of Sweden (population: about

9.6 million) has about 530 employees (Epanet 2017). Umweltbundesamt (Environment Agency)

of Austria (Population: about 8.5 million) has 501 employees (Epanet 2017). Finnish Environment

Institute has staff strength of about 700 in Finland (Population: nearly 5.5 million).

Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency) of Germany has about 1,500 employees in

Germany (Population: about 82 million) and PBL Netherlands Environmental Agency has about

200 staff (Epanet 2017) in Netherlands (Population: about 17 million). The Federal Office for the

Environment in Swtizerland has staff of about 485 (Epanet 2017) in Switzerland (Population:

about 8.37 million). Environment Protection Agency of Denmark has staff strength of about 430

(Epanet 2017) in Denmark (Population: about 5.75 million).

As on 31.03.2016 the total staff of SPCB was 333 while staff responsible for enforcement

in SPCB stood at 149 serving a community of more than six crore population.

Table-10.15: Major interventions required with respect major streams of waste

Type of waste Bottleneck Recommendations

Hazardous waste Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Absence of Treatment,

Storage and Disposal

Facilities (TSDF) in north

Karnataka

Distance between generator

and treatment/disposal sites

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Establish TSDF in north

Karnataka

Biomedical Waste

Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Tracking of plastic stream

from biomedical waste is

yet to be done as they are

recycled

No mechanism to cross

check quantity of waste

generated as annual

consumption of medical

consumables is not

published

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Track the plastic stream

Consumption of

medical consumables

every year may be

published by concerned

department.

Plastic waste

Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Lead acid Battery

waste Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Construction and

demolition waste

Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Awareness among people

needs to be increased

Shortage of recycling

facility

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Create awareness

through various mass

communication media

Encourage recycling

facilities under PPP

model at the outskirts of

each local bodies

Encourage

prefabricated building

Municipal Solid

waste

Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Awareness among

stakeholder needs to be

increased

Shortage of processing

facility

Difficulty in adopting

‘Polluter Pay’ principal

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Create awareness

through various mass

communication media

Encourage recycling

facilities under PPP

model at the outskirts of

each local bodies

Collect SWM cess

proportionate to

quantity and risk

involved. Hazardous/

Infectious waste

generators like meat

shops, fish shops,

chemical shops may be

levied more compared

to less Hazardous/

Infectious waste

generators.

E-waste

Shortage of staff in

enforcing agency

Shortage of awareness

among people

End of life mercury bearing

lamps are entering

municipal solid waste

Increase number of staff

in enforcing agency

Create awareness

through various mass

communication media

Phase out mercury

bearing lamps

Radioactive waste

Cremation of people who

have undergone

radiotherapy might release

residual radioactive

substance into

environment.

Shift the crematorium

away from city limits

Train people in

crematorium about

hazardous involved

Monitor emissions and

ash from crematoriums

Fly ash Lack of research with

respect to utilization of ash

in ash pond.

Encourage research

with respect to

utilization of bottom

ash

Type of waste Bottleneck

End of life vehicle No exclusive legislation or

provisions in the existing

legislation

End of life vehicles are

mostly dismantled and sent

for recycling by informal

sector

No formal tracking of end

of vehicles and its status

Incorporate provisions

with respect to disposal

of End of life Vehicles

in existing rules

Introduce EPR

Track end of life

vehicles

Food waste No exclusive legislation or

provisions in the existing

legislation

No formal tracking of food

waste

Incorporate provisions

to reduce, reuse, recycle

and disposal of food

waste in existing rules

Quantify and track food

waste

Slaughter house

waste No exclusive legislation or

provisions in the existing

legislation

No formal tracking of

slaughter house waste

Incorporate provisions

to proper disposal of

slaughter house waste

in existing rules

Introduce EPR

Bottom ash No exclusive legislation or Incorporate bottom ash

provisions in the existing

legislation

Lack of research for

utilization of bottom ash

in existing rules

Encourage research

with respect to

utilization of bottom

ash

Disaster waste No exclusive legislation or

provisions in the existing

legislation

No estimation of waste

envisaged in each local

body at different possible

calamity

Incorporate provisions

for disaster waste in

existing rules

Estimate and publish

waste envisaged in each

local body for different

possible calamity

10.70. The state government has banned plastic carry bags to put an end to an all pervading menace.

Similar action towards banning of electronic goods is necessary if a particular brand has not

established collection centre. This will ensure better disposal of e-waste.

10.71. The extended producer responsibility (EPR) concept has been fairly successful in European

countries. But, its implementation in the Indian context is not going to be smooth. However, it is

prudent to bring out policy imposing responsibility on producers for collecting the waste from the

following items which are infectious or not readily picked by rag pickers as they do not fetch any

value.

1. Waste oil

2. Medical consumables

3. Sanitary napkin

4. Multi layered packing material

5. Crackers

10.72. Training may be imparted to all officials of local bodies by officials of Mysore City

Corporation which was awarded prestigious ‘Cleanest City’ award twice.

10.73. Considering the increase in vehicles and their impact on environment, CPCB in

November 2016 has published ‘Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Management of ‘End-

of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)’. As per the CPCB publication, production of automobiles took off in

the early 1990s, and became one of the country’s fastest growing industries. In 2010 the number of

vehicles were more than 110 million and an additional 10,37,88,457 vehicles were produced in the

period 2010 – 2015 (CPCB, 2016). In view of these developments, management of end-of-life

vehicles is going to be a very serious challenge in the country. Hence there is urgent need to tackle

this waste stream.

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