Solid waste management is a serious challenge for urban India. Rising population, industrialization, and economic development have all contributed to an alarming increase in the amount of municipal waste generated per person. Today, mostresidual garbage from cities is dumped at landfills instead of being properly managed, indicating the pressing need for robust waste management solutions in India.The theme of today’s show preview in Bengaluruwas ‘Sustainable Solutions for Urban Development’ with special emphasis on ‘Municipal Waste Management – Challenges and Opportunities’. During the preview program, many high-profile speakers emphasized strategic partnerships as well as tools and technologies needed to combat the rising volumes of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Indian cities.
The high-powered panel at this show preview featured Syed Khaja, Senior Environment Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board; Mohit Kumar, Project Manager, Terex India Pvt Ltd; Wilma Rodrigues, Founder & CEO, Saahas Zero Waste; and Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zomato Ltd. The vibrant panel discussion was moderated by Aditi Ramola, Technical Director, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA).
About the efforts of municipal authorities, Syed Khaja said, “Bengaluru generates about6000 tonnes of waste everydayand this will keep growing. We must have a long-term view towards waste management.Apart from managing current and legacy waste, we need to look at net zero waste by 2050. This can be achieved through public-private partnerships whereprivate companies can come up with effective methods to manage waste with the help of government agencies. I have visited IFAT twice in Munich and I believe that IFAT India will bring innovative and economical ways to handle waste using advanced technology.”
Highlighting the role of technology in waste management,Mohit Kumar said, “In India, we generate about 62 million tonnes of waste every year, but only 20% of it gets processed and the rest is dumped at landfills or get littered around the city. Waste is not a problem, but failing to recycle it is the real challenge that stems from the fact that our waste is not well segregated. Terex offers mobile waste segregation technology which will ease the process of waste management. IFAT 2022 is the perfect platform for us to create awareness amongst the stakeholder community about our waste segregation technology which can be deployed quickly at waste dumps and can be easily relocated to any new site.”
Emphasizing the need for innovation, Aditi Ramolasaid, “As our population grows so does our waste generation and the management of MSW continues to be a challenge across the country. Despite this, there are tremendous opportunities for growth and learning in the sector. IFAT fairs are great for meeting experts and technology providers, and to find innovative and cutting-edge solutions in water, sewage, waste, and resource management under one roof.”
Elaborating on the efforts of private companies in this regard, Anjalli Ravi Kumarsaid, “Zomato believes in a waste-freeworld and is the first online ordering and food delivery platform in India to commit to 100% plastic neutral deliveries. Through this initiative, we will voluntarily recycle more than 100% of all plastic that is used for orders by our value chain partners. We are also looking into innovative ways to help reduce and repurpose food waste. Advanced solid waste segregation and recycling technologies, as showcased by participants at IFAT India 2022, will empower waste management agencies and aid corporates like us who seek to have a positive impact on the planet and society.”
On the importance of IFAT India 2022 for the waste management sector, Bhupinder Singh, CEO, Messe Muenchen India, said, “Solid waste management is one of the massive development challengesin India currently, and the problem is more acute in urban areas.To ensure appropriate management of waste, awareness, technical knowledge, adequate funding, and effective implementation of laws and policies are required. IFAT 2022 provides the right platform for all stakeholders to exchange perspectives, explore the latest global technology solutions, and forge partnerships to manage MSW as it is one of the most pressing challenges for our country today.”
