Biodegradable Waste Management through Composting and Biomethanation

Urban India generates about 1.54 Lakh metric tonnes (MT) of municipal solid waste (MSW) on a daily basis. Out of which 50-60 per cent is biodegradable in nature. Despite the availability of infrastructure to treat the entire quantum of biodegradable waste for composting or biomethanation, a significant fraction of the biodegradable waste continues to end up in unscientific dumpsites owing to poor segregation and other factors. Indiscriminate dumping of biodegradable waste leads to generation of Greenhouse gases (GHG) like methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and several other environmental and health hazards.

Aerobic and anaerobic methods represent two distinct approaches to sustainable organic waste management. Their application can vary from small-scale decentralized to large-scale centralized models, offering a spectrum of technology options and flexibility in cost. The feasibility of their implementation and the choice of technology depend on several factors, including the quality of segregated waste, space availability, and the gainful utilization of end-products including off-take.

The goal of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 is to create cities around the nation that are garbage-free. One of the overarching goal is to use low-cost, simple, and scientifically proven waste management technologies to deal with more than half of the total waste we produce in cities. The waste-to-wealth initiative in the Swachh Survekshan encourages paving the road for a circular economy model around biodegradable was and is connected to sanitation performance of the municipal governments.

To bridge the gap in practice and building capacities of a wide range of cadre, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has designed an online course on Biodegradable waste management. CSE has been working on policy and advocacy for the scientific management of organic waste and recognizes the need to adopt resource-efficient waste management systems for economic and environmental sustainability. 

Course Highlights

• Organic waste Management – technology, capital and operational expenditure
• Modes of implementation
• Gainful utilization of end product
• Protocol for installation, and pre-requisites
• Economic and environmental benefits
• Case studies from India

For further details, please contact the course coordinator

Kuldeep Choudhary
Programme Officer, Centre for Science and Environment
Contact: +91 8377030507
Email: kuldeep.choudhary@cseindia.org