India's Waste Crisis: Citizen Apathy Fuels Landfill Woes

India's solid waste management system is hampered by a lack of infrastructure and public engagement, according to speakers at a recent sustainability dialogue. Panellists noted that while successful models like Indore exist, they cannot be blindly replicated. Instead, tailored local solutions are essential, requiring concerted efforts from all societal segments to address the growing waste crisis.

Experts pointed to several critical gaps, including poor source segregation and a disconnect between research and practical implementation. The public health implications of waste are often overlooked, and a lack of coordination persists among institutions, government bodies, and the private sector. They suggested imposing fines on large waste generators as a starting point for improvement.

The concept of 'waste-to-wealth' is often undermined once waste reaches landfills. Effective implementation necessitates efficient door-to-door collection and local segregation. Speakers suggested that making waste management a personal financial concern could drive behavioral change, emphasizing that citizens bear as much responsibility as civic bodies.