Sustainable Management of Landfill Sites in India: Addressing Environmental, Health, and Socioeconomic Challenges

Abstract

India generates over 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with nearly 70% mismanaged, posing severe environmental, public health, and socioeconomic challenges. Landfill sites, both formal and informal, are major contributors to methane emissions, groundwater contamination, and biodiversity loss, undermining national climate goals and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly informal waste workers. Despite progressive frameworks like the SWM Rules (2016) and initiatives such as SBM-U 2.0, implementation remains fragmented due to limited municipal capacity, weak enforcement, and inadequate stakeholder inclusion. This review critically examines the multidimensional impacts of landfill operations in India, evaluates current policy mechanisms, and assesses emerging technologies such as biomining, bioremediation, and waste-to-energy systems. It proposes a holistic, equity-oriented framework for sustainable landfill governance that integrates environmental, health, and social justice perspectives. Emphasizing decentralization, stakeholder participation, and climate resilience, the study advocates for reform pathways that align landfill management with India’s sustainable development and circular economy goals.