Waste Management In Asia
Waste Management in Asia: Two decades of solid economic growth have added to the problems of waste management in most Asian countries. Estimates provided by ministry of environment, government of Japan (2006) on waste management in Asia estimate that Asia generated more than 3 billion Tons of solid waste in the year 2000 and the figure will most likely go up to 9 billion tons by 2050. The environment program of the United Nations has estimated that waste generation in East Asia and the Pacific region has been increasing at the rate of 3%-7% on a yearly basis.
The increase in volume of waste generated by Asian countries pose an immense challenge to the welfare and growth of countries located in this region. According to an article on waste management in developing Asia by Amit Ray (Indian Economic Service, New Delhi) and the data from the Basel convention most Asian countries (Excluding Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea) will see significant rise in per capita waste generation.
The two growth pillars of the Asian Continent, India and China with their huge population and every growing demand for consumer goods require immediate attention. China is already the world’s biggest municipal waste generator. China generated about 190 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2004 and expected to reach480 million tons by 2030 (World Bank 2005). The more important aspect of this is that the composition of waste has shifted towards plastic and paper.
The volume of waste in India is on the rise at an alarming rate. Economic growth and increased purchasing power means that the people are consuming more and generating more waste. Large cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai generate up wards of 10000 tons of waste daily. It is estimated that by 2030, India will generate more than 125000 tons of waste on a yearly basis.
The fastest growing component in the waste stream is e-waste. E-waste contains toxics such as lead, cadmium, mercury. These elements can contaminate the underground water table over time by leaching into the ground and have an adverse effect on communities located nearby. The total e-waste generated in India excluding the items that are imported is estimated to be 146180 tons (2005 Figure). There are over 25000 people employed by scrap yards in Delhi, where 10000-20000 tons of e-waste is handled every year (2005 Figures).
The major challenge is that waste management in most Asian countries is undertaken by the informal sector, mostly comprising of waste pickers (Referred as rag pickers in India) and middle men or waste traders. Most industries and house holds dump their waste into open fields and scientific landfill sites are rare to come by. Countries like India have come up with MSW rule 2000. A document prepared by the ministry of forest and environment India. These rules are applicable to all states and regions in India and the central government expects local government and municipalities to insure that the rules are followed in their respected regions. Various other issues at local municipalities and governing bodies, such as lack of resources (or wrong allocation of resources), lack of proper institutional institutes, social and cultural stigmas relating to the field of waste management, and a general lack of knowledge and awareness are only adding to the challenge.
Urgent steps are needed to establish an integrated or umbrella model of waste management on a domestic level in various Asian countries. Strengthening and enforcing environmental standards, making polluters pay, legislating environmental laws and creating an all inclusive policy framework are just some on the many requirements that need immediate attention.
Tell Us What You Think About Waste Management In India
Waste Management in Asia: Two decades of solid economic growth have added to the problems of waste management in most Asian countries. Estimates provided by ministry of environment, government of Japan (2006) on waste management in Asia estimate that Asia generated more than 3 billion Tons of solid waste in the year 2000 and the figure will most likely go up to 9 billion tons by 2050. The environment program of the United Nations has estimated that waste generation in East Asia and the Pacific region has been increasing at the rate of 3%-7% on a yearly basis.
The increase in volume of waste generated by Asian countries pose an immense challenge to the welfare and growth of countries located in this region. According to an article on waste management in developing Asia by Amit Ray (Indian Economic Service, New Delhi) and the data from the Basel convention most Asian countries (Excluding Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea) will see significant rise in per capita waste generation.
The two growth pillars of the Asian Continent, India and China with their huge population and every growing demand for consumer goods require immediate attention. China is already the world’s biggest municipal waste generator. China generated about 190 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2004 and expected to reach480 million tons by 2030 (World Bank 2005). The more important aspect of this is that the composition of waste has shifted towards plastic and paper.
The volume of waste in India is on the rise at an alarming rate. Economic growth and increased purchasing power means that the people are consuming more and generating more waste. Large cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai generate up wards of 10000 tons of waste daily. It is estimated that by 2030, India will generate more than 125000 tons of waste on a yearly basis.
The fastest growing component in the waste stream is e-waste. E-waste contains toxics such as lead, cadmium, mercury. These elements can contaminate the underground water table over time by leaching into the ground and have an adverse effect on communities located nearby. The total e-waste generated in India excluding the items that are imported is estimated to be 146180 tons (2005 Figure). There are over 25000 people employed by scrap yards in Delhi, where 10000-20000 tons of e-waste is handled every year (2005 Figures).
The major challenge is that waste management in most Asian countries is undertaken by the informal sector, mostly comprising of waste pickers (Referred as rag pickers in India) and middle men or waste traders. Most industries and house holds dump their waste into open fields and scientific landfill sites are rare to come by. Countries like India have come up with MSW rule 2000. A document prepared by the ministry of forest and environment India. These rules are applicable to all states and regions in India and the central government expects local government and municipalities to insure that the rules are followed in their respected regions. Various other issues at local municipalities and governing bodies, such as lack of resources (or wrong allocation of resources), lack of proper institutional institutes, social and cultural stigmas relating to the field of waste management, and a general lack of knowledge and awareness are only adding to the challenge.
Urgent steps are needed to establish an integrated or umbrella model of waste management on a domestic level in various Asian countries. Strengthening and enforcing environmental standards, making polluters pay, legislating environmental laws and creating an all inclusive policy framework are just some on the many requirements that need immediate attention.
Tell Us What You Think About Waste Management In India
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