Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

URBAN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT- PROBLEM DIMENSIONS AND ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

M. Seivam and V. Rajasheker

Abstract

In urban cities, management of solid -waste has become a mammoth task for city administrators. With the burgeoning population, rapid urbanisation, massive migration, increased consumerism, throw away life style, apathy of Government and callousness of citizens towards common concern, the issues of solid waste management are bound to become further complicated. Waste Management cannot be anymore perceived as just clearing the rubbish from one place and dumping as waste at some other place. Its implications have multiple consequences on public health, environment, socio-economic development, natural resources, business and aesthetic values of the city. The current practices of waste management in India and most other developing countries are by and large unscientifiC and unsustainable. There is a desperate need to think beyond conventional approaches with a holistic view rather than piecemeal ambitions. The present paper deals with some of the current aspects in solid waste management and suggests a few alternative solutions.