Integrated Solid Waste Management Turns Garbage into Gold: A Case Study of Jabalpur City

Abstract

Solid waste generation is an inevitable consequence of anthropogenic activities, which needs an enormous effort for its proper management to avoid filthy situation in the city and around the residential areas, but unfortunately the responsible authorities as well as residents do not pay heed to cope with the deteriorating situation. Rapid urbanization and speedy population growth have accelerated the problem, and the circumstances are more grim and severe in developing countries. India is also experiencing a dire state due to the lack of proper disposal of burgeoning solid waste, and the situation in Jabalpur is also about to skid from grip of the authorities. The study attempts to explain the current scenario of solid waste management (SWM) in Jabalpur city, which is known as ‘Sanskardhani’ (capital of etiquette). Depiction of the running system of SWM in the city, identification of the causes for inefficient solid waste collection and its improper management and derivation of ideas to mitigate the problem and to improve living conditions are the objectives of the study. The information and relevant data have been compiled from Municipal Corporation of Jabalpur (MCJ), related stakeholders supplemented by field observations and self-administered questionnaire. An intensive review of related literature has been embraced too to have a sound knowledge of the problem and to augment solutions of this catastrophe. Finally, the study will deliver concrete insights to the policy makers to enrich the plans, which could assist them in the battle field of integrated and sustainable management of solid waste.