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Delhi's Plastic Peril: Waste Outpaces Processing
29 Apr
Summary
- Delhi generates 1,155.7 tonnes of plastic waste daily, exceeding processing capacity.
- Single-use plastic ban compliance remains low despite rules from 2022 and 2024.
- Incineration and biomining are primary methods for managing Delhi's plastic waste.
As of March 2026, Delhi is generating approximately 1,155.7 tonnes of plastic waste each day, significantly surpassing its processing capacity of 939 tonnes per day. This deficit results in plastic waste accumulating in the environment or at landfills. Despite the implementation of a ban on single-use plastic items in 2022 and the issuance of plastic waste management by-laws in 2024, the report indicates a lukewarm compliance rate in the national capital.
The city is actively engaged in biomining its three major landfill sites: Ghazipur, Okhla, and Bhalswa. This extensive process involves excavating and treating legacy waste to separate usable materials like compost and fuel. Approximately 5-10% of the material extracted from these landfills is combustible, which is then utilized as fuel in cement factories and paper mills. Furthermore, Delhi operates four waste-to-energy plants capable of processing 7,250 tonnes per day, handling mixed waste and refuse-derived fuel.
