Technology Aided Waste Management Practices in the Village of Maira, Punjab

Abstract

The ever-growing consumption of human population ends up in producing by-products that can be used again in its current form which is often called waste. With such an exponential rise in the generation of waste, waste management has become one of the key indicators of development. Waste is an inevitable part of our day to day life. In India an estimated 133,760 tons of municipal solid waste is generated daily. Our aim is to move towards a “Zero Waste Economy”, and that doesn’t mean no waste exists- it is a society where resources are fully valued, financially, and environmentally. It means we reduce, reuse and recycle all we can, and throw things only as a last resort. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the waste generation and disposal methods in one such rural village in Punjab and to understand the impact of these on the day to day life of the people living there. The methodology was employed, and data collection is conducted through interviews, observational studies and meetings with key community leaders. Results revealed various problems including improper disposal of household waste, open burning of non-biodegradable waste, open drainage system, contributing to village illness. An analysis has also been made on the type and quantity of waste generated in the village as a result of complete observation of the lifestyle of these villages. The paper thus presented gives a coherent idea on the current circumstance on waste management and sanitation in the village.