What is the daily plastic waste generation in Dehradun?

Dehradun generates an estimated 327.9 tonnes of plastic waste per day.

How has Dehradun's sanitation performance declined?

Door-to-door collection dropped from approximately 96.5% to 48%, and waste processing fell from 78.5% to 27%.

What solutions are proposed for Dehradun's plastic waste problem?

Proposed solutions include mandatory segregation, decentralized processing facilities, stricter enforcement of bans, Extended Producer Responsibility, and citizen engagement.

Home / Environment / Dehradun Drowning in Plastic: A Waste Crisis Exposed

Dehradun Drowning in Plastic: A Waste Crisis Exposed

27 Apr

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Summary

Dehradun generates substantial plastic waste daily, with declining sanitation performance.
Legacy waste dumps and clogged drains exacerbate environmental risks and flooding.
Urgent reforms in segregation, processing, and citizen engagement are vital.

Dehradun Drowning in Plastic: A Waste Crisis Exposed

Dehradun confronts a significant plastic waste management challenge, marked by high generation rates and deteriorating sanitation performance. As of April 27, 2026, the city grapples with an estimated 327.9 tonnes of plastic waste daily, a substantial portion being non-biodegradable single-use plastics.

Declining sanitation indicators, including a drop in door-to-door collection from approximately 96.5% to 48% and processing from 78.5% to 27%, highlight systemic gaps. This failure in source segregation impedes recycling, reduces value recovery, and burdens landfills.